The Sail Planning 'Table' view shows the weather information for all four of the forecast models you have selected and allows you to quickly compare Days/Times to depart. You are able to view this Table information in a Detailed view for each model or as a Summary view, which is an average of the four weather models.
If all forecasts are similar, you can have a high degree of confidence in the Sail Planning results. If there is uncertainty which one model is doing a better matching your local observations: barometer, wind instruments, observations page in the PredictWind App or Forecast Website, here
The Table makes it quick and easy to get an objective summary on leaving on the different times or days. You can use the Summary View of Tables which is the results averaged, or a more Detailed View of each of the four forecast models selected.
What are we looking for in the Sail Planning Tables?
Passage Time
Does this look reasonable for the known performance of my boat?
Motoring Time
Do we have enough fuel for the motoring duration?
% Time Upwind, Reaching, Downwind
For most a high percentage of upwind and a high percentage of winds over 30 knots would not be a good time to depart.
% Time Wave Height
A high percentage of wave height 4-5 meters or above combined with upwind conditions would not be a good time to depart.
Use this information then switch to Sail Routing which provides a greater data set. Run the Sail Routing for the day and time the Sail Planning suggested was a good time to leave.
For Professional forecast subscription users the Roll, Vertical Acceleration and Slamming Incidence output should not be overlooked. Eg, a 100 percentage of time over 4 for Roll will make for a very uncomfortable and possibly dangerous passage.
More on this here, Weather Routing for Sailboats - Using Wave Polars
See below the wind angles we use to define upwind/reaching/downwind.
% time upwind = True Wind Angle is 55 degrees or less.
% time reaching = True Wind Angle is between 55 degrees and 135 degrees.
% time downwind = True Wind Angle is 135 degrees or more.
TIP: Once it has become obvious which day to leave switch to the Sail Routing for the finer detail. Calculate a Sail Route for the Day and time in the future and have a good look at the Sail Routing Table output starting with Graphs.