Top 5 sailing apps for Android and iOS
These days, you can turn your phone into an onboard computer. It’s the time of smartphones and the boom of apps. For sailors, there are now practical applications that provide valuable information and simplify the sailing experience. Is this the future of sailing? We`re not sure about that, but it is the present, and that`s where we`re living.
We’ve put together a list with some of the very best free and paid apps on the market and we hope we`ll help you decide which are the best for you.
NAVIONICS BOATING MARINE & LAKES
Platforms: iPhone, iPad, Android
Price: $4.99 – $64.99 depending on location
Best for: Navigation
This is the leading and probably the most famous company in digital cartography among cruisers, sailors, fishermen, and divers. Navionics Boating is probably the best application for smartphone navigation. Superior and detailed cartography (maps as well as GPS plotters) can be purchased by the area of navigation you are in. You do not need to download the same maps every time you need them, the maps you once purchased, are yours. If you have multiple devices, you can log with your account and use the maps you already purchased. Navionics Boating is designed as a convenient and easy-to-use tool that will enhance your every adventure at sea.
But, just in case, learn some celestial navigation, you never know when it may come handy.
KNOT GUIDE
Platforms: iPhone, iPad
Price: Free
Best for: Knot tying
An application that is very simple, more than useful and brings pictures and instructions on how to tie over a hundred nodes in any situation. If you learn at least 10 of those you will become one of 5% of people who can tie more than 2 knots. Browse by category or by knot name, and save your favorite knots for easy access later. Although this app is only available for iOS users, you can similar for android users too. Btw, have you read our article on knots?
WINDFINDER PRO
Platforms: iPhone, iPad, Android
Price: $5.21
Best for: Weather
The wind and the speed in your hands. Do you want to know how strong the wind will be when you start your journey? This application gives you the ability to update the wind conditions per spot to choose what suits you best. You can also create a list of your favorite points. If you buy the pro application, your cellphone will alert you when the conditions are ideal for sailing.
MY TIDE TIMES
Platforms: iPhone, iPad, Android
Price: Free
Best for: Tides
Whether you’re surfing, fishing or just going to the beach you’ll be able to use this app to get quick and easy access to the tides. Provides data from over 9,000 tide stations in more than 30 countries. The app updates by its self, so you don`t have to worry about ensuring the data. And the best thing is that, when information has been downloaded it is stored on the phone so you can view it without an internet connection.
MARINE TRAFFIC
Platforms: iPhone, iPad, Android
Price: $4.64
Best for: Navigation
Connected to the largest network of land-based AIS receivers, the app displays the locations of yachts and ships in real time. It covers major ports and shipping routes and is connected to the largest network of AIS receivers. You can access port arrivals & departures live for over 4,000 ports and marinas, current conditions in ports and estimated time of arrival for the boats & ships. Also, you can manage your list of vessels, shared with all your devices and MarineTraffic.
