ActiveCaptain and how it could eventually help your highway travels

ActiveCaptain Web tool

My AC data sheet

OK I know many of you may get bored with this one, but I have to say it, I am thankful for ActiveCaptain (AC).  AC is a community-based, electronic marine database that contains near real-time information about marinas, anchorages, local points of interest, and marine hazards – most of which is user-generated – for cruising and sailing destinations around the world. The database boasts more than 250,000 users and can be accessed via web browser or a variety of mobile apps.  As you can see from screen shot on the right AC has a lot of information. During the planning process I use the web based program to go through my route and make notes about anything that might come up during my travel. Since I am single handing, I don't like to get surprised during the trip.  AC has reviews of anchorages and marinas contributed by people who have been there.  I look at the reviews for anchorages and marinas.  This helps be decide which ones to put on my list.  I make notes about shoaling areas, other points of concern (i.e. ferry crossings) along with possible anchorages and marinas, and I list all of the bridges.  Not only does this make sure I know when I will be coming up on a lift bridge, but it also helps me keep track of the mile points along the way.  The ICW and rivers are supposed to have mile markers every 5 miles, but most are either missing or unreadable.  I carry this sheet in the cockpit.

AC on iPad

While underway, I use Garmin Bluecharts on my iPad for navigation (along with a Garmin Chartplotter).  On the iPad the chart moves along as the boat moves.  You can see the AC point of information marks along the way.  You can simply tap on the the mark and get information.  I can get information if I missed something in the planning process, or in the case where its time to find a marina and all the ones I have listed are full.

So how could this help you on the highway?
AC reviews have forced marinas to address issues that in the past they may or may not have.  I have read more that one review where the person said "I know it has been noted in the past that the showers were not clean (or something was broken, ect), but the manager told me that they saw those reviews on AC and wanted us to know they have addressed that issue."  I saw one where the reviewer said the dock hand told them that the owners implemented a customer service training program based on the AC reviews.  It's like having Gas Buddy, Yelp, AroundMe and Waze all on one app in a map display.
And how it could eventually help your highway travels?  Garmin recently purchased ActiveCaptain.  Can you imagine if you had this kind of database is developed about rest stops, gas stations, etc.  I could avoid stopping at those places where it looks like the clean the bathroom once a month, whether it needs it or not.  I would know if a stop is along my route, because it is a map display.