Apps for boating

[mastreb]

There's been a bit of discussion lately about iPhone, iPad, Android, and Windows phone apps for navigation and other utility functions in various threads. While in my opinion these won't replace things like real chartplotters, I find that I am doing almost all my trip planning on my iPad, and that I'm increasingly using utilities on my phone while I sail. I thought I'd start a forum to post the apps I use, what I use them for, and ask other people what they're using.

Here's my list:

Google Earth -- Sat maps
Peak.ar -- Identifying mountain peaks
Gps4cam -- Geotagging photos
Anchor Alarm -- Alarm on excessive motion
iNavX -- Chartplotter
Navionics -- Chartplotter
Speedometer -- Speed over ground
Spyglass AR -- Angles, compass measures
Theodolite Pro -- Angles, compass, measures
Sky Safari -- Star identification
iBooks -- Reference Bowditch, boat manuals, PDFs

What are you using?

[gyroplanes]

Heavens above (night sky map)

Marine weather

Radar now

weather bug

AIS (I sail where the big ships roam freely, day & night)

I have an Andriod HTC phone($49.95 and my monthly bill went down even when adding internet.. great decision to check it out. NO REGRETS) US Cellular.
Tom

[c130king]

Not an App...but three websites I use a lot:

http://www.windmapper.com (US winds but I think there is a UK version as well)
http://www.activecaptain.com (great tool for finding info about marinas, ramps, bridge heights, and things like that)
http://www.baydreaming.com/marineforcasts.htm (marine weather forecasts for the Chesapeake...probably many other sites you can get this info)

Cheers,
Jim

[Russ]

Google Sky - It's just so cool.

Paper charts - for when electronics fail (ie: Lightning strike or giant EMP that destroys the world).

[pokerrick1]

Paper charts - for when electronics fail (ie: Lightning strike or giant EMP that destroys the world).

AGREED Last time that happened I sure was glad I had my paper charts

Rick

[Terry]

I have several apps on my iPod some are limited by no GPS but they are still nice to have.
1. Navionics - PNW
2. Charts & Tides w/Active Captain support
3. Marine Chars EarthNC
4. eSeaChart U.S. Marine Charts w/Active Captain support - New
5. Boaters Pocket Reference
6. NOAA Buoy and Tide Data
7. AyeTides
8. Knot Guide
9. Animated Knoits by Grog
10. Nautical Chart Symbols
11. Nav Lights
12. Windfinder
13. Expert Video: Sailing
14. Sailboat Discussion Forum - SBO Sailboat Owners
15. and a few handy utilities to use on the go.
Yes I guess I am a bit over the top with apps but they are nice toys for the iPod and in future they will be mine to load onto an iPad 4G or something.

On the other hand there are now these new Bluetooth GPS Receivers on the market and they add GPS functioning to your non-GPS iPads & iPods or Mac Books or Notebooks/Netbooks, they are the new generation to replace those old BU 353 USB port pucks.
AmbiCom Air2Net Bluetooth GPS Navigation System Receiver BT-GPS - GPS receiver module

[fishheadbarandgrill]

This is all great stuff and great timing... leaving on Friday from SC for a week long trip in the Keys. Home based out of Bahia Honda State Park. Just got an iPad last week. Loaded Navioncs HD. Really found it helpful on my iPod Touch.

Bob

[bobaefa]

I can't say enough for the anchor alarm I use. I use it on a BB but they have ipod versions as well. Great to leave it running on the boat and head to shore and it will update you via text messages on another phone. Just got back from a week in the Keys. 30 mph gusts at night and 20 during day so the bay was kicked up. Made sleeping much easier when I could just glance at the phone and know where I was and just every once in awhile get up and check. Link below to earlier discussion.


http://www.macgregorsailors.com/forum/v ... rm#p205982


Spent a week in Bahia Honda marina earlier this year. Had engine troubles so had to be in the marina to deal with that. Great park. If you anchor out setting the anchor can be some work. I watched cruising boats try several times before they got it to set. Best ground seems to be directly off the roped off swimming area. We cocktailed aboard some anchored boats and asked them about how they set the anchor. The ones that did it the quickest seemed to be the ones that droped the hook and somebody dove it and set it in some sand. Just off the swimming area so an easy snorkel. There is one mooring ball that belongs to NOAA for their boat. It was in the parking lot when we were there. It was my storm back up plan if something went wrong I was just going to tie on to their ball and move at first light.

If you like to snorkel there is some nice shore side snorkeling if you swim from you boat across the little marina chanel and the second chanel. Both about 30 feet wide and swim along the RV camper area towards the bridge. Easy and no current close to shore. Very shallow so any skill group can do it.

If you spend the night in the marina you get a free bag of ice each day. They seem to forget to tell you.

[mastreb]

FYI all--for iPads only, the 3G versions have both a compass and GPS built in as well as 3G cellular Internet. The WiFi versions do not include any of these sensors. So if you have a boat and you're buying an iPad, get the 3G version even if you don't intend to activate service.

Matt

[mastreb]

Another fantastic app: Grog knots. Animations of how to tie all of the important knots, back weaving and spicing, etc. invaluable, and works great on a smartphone where you can whip it out to reference the specific knot you need. Well worth the $5.

[Catigale]

RussMT wrote:
Paper charts - for when electronics fail (ie: Lightning strike or giant EMP that destroys the world).



AGREED Last time that happened I sure was glad I had my paper charts

Rick

If this happens just run the I-Quit App.....or as Caitlin calls it....I-Drop

[tvanbeck]

Marine Traffic - IPAD - IPhone not sure about android
https://www.marinetraffic.com

I didn't see this app on the list. I'm on the Tennessee River and the ICW a lot and it is nice to know what vessel traffic is heading my way. In addition, it will give you the vessels name and direction if you want to hail them on the radio.

Taps into information http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Automatic_ ... ion_System .

[Phil M]

Just bought Navimatics Charts and Tides app for the IPad. It's only $25 and the installed charts include the entire west coast. It integrates withnActive Captain too. Unfortunately, for now, the tides only cover American waters. So I am still looking for something that will do west coast BC tides without having to use wi if or cell all the time. Any suggestions?

[Phil M]

This list is missing an important feature, IMHO. An app that completely installs is different from an app that always needs the Internet.
I know that Google earth, for example, always needs the internet, and lots of data.
There are a few anchor alarms available. Any particular app?