Building a Better Float Plan with TidePilot
Seattle boater and entrepreneur Dave Siegfried joins Matt and Tim to discuss a challenge every cruiser faces: making good decisions about weather, tides, currents, fuel, and timing before leaving the dock. Drawing from years of boating throughout the Pacific Northwest, Dave shares how his experiences on the water led to the development of TidePilot.ai, a new AI planning tool designed to bring critical trip-planning information into one place.
The conversation explores real-world cruising scenarios familiar to PNW boaters, including timing tides and currents, choosing inside versus outside routes, planning fuel stops, crossing the Straits, and balancing different comfort levels among crew members. Matt and Tim put TidePilot through a live demonstration while discussing the broader question of how AI technology can help boaters make safer, more informed decisions without replacing seamanship and good judgment.
Along the way, the group shares stories about rough crossings, fuel mishaps, "carat crossings," and the importance of knowing when conditions are telling you to stay put and enjoy another day in port. Whether you're a seasoned cruiser or just getting started, this episode offers a look at how experienced boaters are using new tools to simplify trip planning and improve safety on the water.
Thank you to our guest, Dave Siegfried
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tide_pilot/
Email Dave at dave@tidepilot.ai