Sailing Apps for iPhone

gfrazzle · Feb 20, 2010

JonBill said:
Cruising World magazine's latest edition has an article on sailing apps for iPhones.

I was wondering if anybody would do a review of iPhone sailing apps from their experience that they have tried. And which ones worked well that they would recommend and which ones aren't worth trying or didn't work so well.

Kind Regards,
JonBill

At the risk of starting an unending debate, I use and would recommend the following:

Tideapp- simple tide forecast, easy to use and free.

Radarscope- pricey but great for real time storm watching/ avoidance ( video demo available on their site ).

Navionics( I use the US West version)- Best bargain in the iTunes app store! Turns your iPhone into a mini Navionics based chart plotter and more. Very similar to the full size (and expensive) version I use on my Raymarine C80 plotter.

There are many, many sailing/ boating oriented apps available that I haven't tried yet so this could end up being a long list.

Manny · Feb 20, 2010

JonBill,

Did the article have certain apps that were highly rated?
I have the Navionics east coast chart which is a tremendous bargain. It has come in handy on quite a few occasions. I highly recommend it. The tide app is excellent also (and free IIRC). I don't have my phone in front of me (and I cant remember the name of it) but I also have an app that gives wind speed and direction forecasts. I also have a clinometer which is pretty cool. For weather radar I made an icon for wunderground's mobile site, so with one press of the screen I can see whats coming.
But the best sailing app (which has nothing to do with sailing) for the phone, by far, is pandora!

Manny

Dalliance · Feb 20, 2010

For weather info, I have been using Weather Underground for i-phone; i WUND. Definately recommend it. Additionally, I created an icon for direct one touch access to the NOAA Marine Forecast for my area.

I recently added an annometer app called "Wind Speed!" Just point the microphone toward the wind and it runs the wind noise through an algorythm to calculate the real time, average and maximum wind speeds. No one believes me when I tell them about it...until I take out my i-phone and blow on it. I can't speak to its accuracy yet as it is the dead of winter here, but I am looking forward to testing it this spring. I expect it will consistently read a knot or two below the masthead reading. We'll see.

I also have the Navigation Rules app - aka the complete 72 COLREGS.

Oh, and a Pirate Glossary app of course.

Ducati · Feb 21, 2010

iPhone Apps Work On iPad?

JonBill said:
Cruising World magazine's latest edition has an article on sailing apps for iPhones.

I was wondering if anybody would do a review of iPhone sailing apps from their experience that they have tried. And which ones worked well that they would recommend and which ones aren't worth trying or didn't work so well.

Kind Regards,
JonBill

So it sounds like the iPhone is a very nice option for basic Navigation use. Could the same APPs be used on the iPad too?

Thanks

sailingdog · Feb 21, 2010

Yes, considering the iPad is basically an overgrown iPhone. Some apps would be best re-written to take advantage of the much larger screen though.

Ducati said:
So it sounds like the iPhone is a very nice option for basic Navigation use. Could the same APPs be used on the iPad too?

Thanks

Chuckbear · Feb 21, 2010

The iPhone apps will work on the iPads but you will see them the same size as on the phone. The iPad has the ability to enlarge the screen but the quality degrades once you do that. Almost all developers are now quickly setting up the format for their apps to work with the iPad. BTW, all of the Waterway Guides will be available on iPhone and iPad and followed by the Android systems beginning in March and April. Chuck

RichBone · Feb 21, 2010

Chuckbear said:
The iPhone apps will work on the iPads but you will see them the same size as on the phone. The iPad has the ability to enlarge the screen but the quality degrades once you do that. Almost all developers are now quickly setting up the format for their apps to work with the iPad. BTW, all of the Waterway Guides will be available on iPhone and iPad and followed by the Android systems beginning in March and April. Chuck

Then the same would go for the iPod Touch too?

Rich

Blitz · Feb 21, 2010

Ipod Touch

RBone said:
Then the same would go for the iPod Touch too?

Rich

Unless you are hooked up to a wiFi the applications don't know where you are with the Ipod Touch.

So the nav won't plot you position but you get the maps.

sailingdog · Feb 21, 2010

Yes, but IIRC, none of the iPod Touches have a GPS built-in, so it is less useful than the iPad, some of which will be available with an integrated GPS.

RBone said:
Then the same would go for the iPod Touch too?

Rich

Chuckbear · Feb 21, 2010

RBone said:
Then the same would go for the iPod Touch too?

Rich

The iPod Touch is the same size as the phone so why would it not apply? Chuck

sailingdog · Feb 21, 2010

no GPS in the iPod Touch. So the navigation apps would fail.

Chuckbear said:
The iPod Touch is the same size as the phone so why would it not apply? Chuck

Chuckbear · Feb 21, 2010

Except we were discussing size and resolution and not GPS ability. Chuck

sailingdog · Feb 21, 2010

You might have been, but i was discussing whether the given apps would function properly... and a navigation app just won't work without the GPS chip.

Chuckbear said:
Except we were discussing size and resolution and not GPS ability. Chuck

Shell · Feb 21, 2010

I've been using Tideapp

Navionics( I use the US East version)- Best bargain in the iTunes app store! Turns your iPhone into a mini Navionics based chart plotter and more. I compared it to my garmin units and find no difference.

Capt. Kermie · Feb 21, 2010

sailingdog said:
You might have been, but i was discussing whether the given apps would function properly... and a navigation app just won't work without the GPS chip.

The Navionics app works just fine on my iPod, shows all the charts for the PNW, it does not show my position without the GPS but it still runs the app just fine.
I also have AyeTides, Knot Guide, and Boaters Pocket Refrence. I also use my iPod with WiFi at most marinas to get weather updates. Many marinas have free wifi connection.

sailingdog · Feb 22, 2010

But the program isn't all that useful without the GPS... yes, it will still run, but it doesn't really function as designed without a GPS input.

Capt. Kermie said:
The Navionics app works just fine on my iPod, shows all the charts for the PNW, it does not show my position without the GPS but it still runs the app just fine.
I also have AyeTides, Knot Guide, and Boaters Pocket Refrence. I also use my iPod with WiFi at most marinas to get weather updates. Many marinas have free wifi connection.

freedom · Feb 22, 2010

I have navionics w Europe, med, e US , w US and skiing. All are excellent except "ski" is very poor. FREEDOM

dhready421 · Nov 8, 2010

I currently have several apps on my Iphone 4, all ran on my Iphone 3 previously. I have "Float Plan", "Buoy Data", "Boaters Ref", "Navonics Marine - US East", TideGraph", "Nav Rules", "Sailing Knots", as well as "The Weather Channel - TWC Max", and internet radio which has "Sven" from the VHF weather fame. Other helpful apps I have loaded include "Compass" which is a pretty accurate electronic compass, and Flashlight which is great when your coming back to the boat at night and need to open the hatchway lock in the dark.

dhready421 · Nov 8, 2010

I saw on the main page that there is apparently now an Iphone app for this sailboatowners.com site. Does anyone know how to find it? It doesn't show up in the Itunes store as an app. I would love to have it on the phone.