Using tides and tidal currents

Olympian, America’s Cup winner and New Zealand Champion in multiple classes, Jon Bilger, explains how to use tides and tidal currents:

We all know the tide ebbs and flows. It’s as predictable as the sun rising or the seasons changing, but it’s also not an exact science. Getting the timing wrong can mean an extended journey battling against a relentless current, so a good understanding of how to use tides and tidal currents to your advantage is vital.

Traditionally we’ve relied on tide tables and local knowledge to get by, but what if we’re heading into unfamiliar areas or planning a passage? How do we know when it’s the perfect time to set off?

Just as the weather data available to sailors has become increasingly detailed and accurate in recent years, so there has been a step-change in the tidal data available. In December 2023, PredictWind launched its PredictCurrent technology, a high-resolution current modelling system. – Full report