Anchor Watch Software
- Thread starter Nodak7
- Start date
Not that I'm aware of. Active Captain says that they are about to improve the Drag Queen app, so if you have suggestions for them, let them know.
Not to hijack the topic, but MY wish is for a better float plan app than the USCG one. If you know of one, please let me know.
Not to hijack the topic, but MY wish is for a better float plan app than the USCG one. If you know of one, please let me know.
When going to sleep I use the alarm feature in a handheld GPS that will alert me if the boat leaves a predetermined radius. I always take a sight of shore based reference points and will periodically verify the boat's position. Have not used the apps but would not want to rely on my phone or a computer for that.
Well how do you like that! I just replied to your other anchor thread above and addressed this very question. So I won't repeat what I said here, other than that I use Drag Queen and find it very simple to use and it works well.
+1 I swear by this app.
They all use little current compared to a chartplotter that is left on for this purpose and I sleep a whole lot better when moored or on the hook. Note to self: Remember to turn app off BEFORE departing in the morning.
It does seem power hungry--not unusual for apps that use the GPS. I keep my iPhone plugged into the boat's 12v system when I run it at night. When I'm aboard during the day there is no need for me to run it, so I disable it during those hours.
Last edited:
I do leave the device plugged into a 12V outlet. There are a lot of other power hungry things I would give up before giving this one the night off. Specs show in the order of 1.7 Ah for newer iPhone and iPad.
The Admiral like this app..
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/anchor-alarm-for-sail-and-power-boaters/id743610888?mt=8
for her iPad (that she leaved plugged in).
The alarm can be heard from aft cabin to the cockpit with engine running (she forgot to turn it off).
Also our Raymarine MFD has one built in, in addition to the iPad.
Jim...
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/anchor-alarm-for-sail-and-power-boaters/id743610888?mt=8
for her iPad (that she leaved plugged in).
The alarm can be heard from aft cabin to the cockpit with engine running (she forgot to turn it off).
Also our Raymarine MFD has one built in, in addition to the iPad.
Jim...
Most gps/plotter/instruments have an anchor alarm. I know my Ray AP can access the GPS feature with out a plotter so you might check the alarm page on all you control heads.
What I want is an APP that can call me when I'm on shore and the boat is on the hook..... Letting an empty boat except for the cat, hear an alarm does not do me any good...
Regards,
Regards,
Viper the app "Anchor" by Marie Hullo can do that. It can also send you an email message. I have not tested the phone but I have the email and it works well.
You will need a transmitter and receiver.
When we prepare our boat for a hurricane, we leave an old iPhone on board and use Apple's "follow me" app.
We know where the boat is at all times.
Some hand devices have a GPS on them, some don't. Some need line of sight cell towers to act like a GPS.
Jim...
The SailSafe for Android app will do that, but you need two phones and cell connectivity. You start the application (after dropping anchor, of course) and set an anchor radius (and sector if you want). There is an option to call another phone for alarms, so carry the second phone to the beach and it will alert you. The caveat (other than chasing your drifiting boat with your dinghy), is you absolutely need cell service for both phones or no notice.
It's actually a bit hard to imagine that a skipper anchored out among shallower reaches of the big blue sea could sleep through a serious anchor dragging event such that he had to depend on a GPS or other alarm to awaken him. If wind and sea are the culprits, surely he would wake up w/o any alarm when the riding motion of the boat changed, or when the boat began to shudder, its halyards clanging, or when its rigging began to whistle and moan in the freshening breeze. Moreover, it's hard to see how a normal tide change could pull out a properly set anchor, or anchors, in a quiet anchorage. If I have one aboard (as in the GPS) I might set it (which presently I do not); but I would not go find one to buy.
There's too much other stuff I need. If we're talking here about a slow drag of a ft or two an hour, say,--that should be detectable when skippy gets up for his 2 or 3 am round.
There's too much other stuff I need. If we're talking here about a slow drag of a ft or two an hour, say,--that should be detectable when skippy gets up for his 2 or 3 am round.
Last edited:
I see your points. However, I already have an iPhone and the apps that do this are either free or the cost is negligible. Other than the very small power draw of keeping my iPhone plugged in, I see no reason not to use it.It's actually a bit hard to imagine that a skipper anchored out among shallower reaches of the big blue sea could sleep through a serious anchor dragging event such that he had to depend on a GPS or other alarm to awaken him. If wind and sea are the culprits, surely he would wake up w/o any alarm when the riding motion of the boat changed, or when the boat began to shudder, its halyards clanging, or when its rigging began to whistle and moan in the freshening breeze. Moreover, it's hard to see how a normal tide change could pull out a properly set anchor, or anchors, in a quiet anchorage. If I have one aboard (as in the GPS) I might set it (which presently I do not); but I would not go find one to buy.