Ipad Apps for Boaters

[WorldWind]

Trimble Outdoors

[s/v Jedi]

Originally Posted by WorldWind

Trimble Outdoors

Yes looks good but is currently bugged for off-line use....

ciao!
Nick.

[GeoffL]

Thanks, this is a very useful topic.

For others, like me, who are outside the US, it's worth nothing that a number of the apps mentioned here are US only. iNavX seems to have only US marine charts; AyeTides XL says it has global tides but tidal streams in US only, and I can't find tidesplan 12, dragqueen, tidegraph or boat weather in the UK iTunes appstore.

Windfinder does seem to be global; WindGuru is another app with very similar functionality. Anecdotally it seems to be more popular in Asia but I don't really know why.

Navfree looks like a great idea but doesn't seem to have reached Asia yet. As far as I can tell, Australia is the only country covered on this side of the globe.

SFHD looks great - thanks for the recommendation.

I also use WunderMap for weather mapping. I was using Navionics for marine charts but haven't repurchased it since I switched from Android to iPad - maybe I'll wait and see what ActiveCaptain is coming up with!

Any other recommendation for tide map apps that might cover south east Asia? All the ones I can see in the app store have really poor reviews, or only cover UK/US.

Cheers
G

[sailcruiser]

Try looking at appadvice. I can only imagine how frustrating it is to read about an app only to find it isn't available. Try googling appadvice.com and see if any of the products they recommend are available. SC

[Selene]

1. Have problem finding SFHD, would you clarify?
2. You may know this, but just in case you don't:
I often use iPad to get to and read guides/manuals/instructions for equipment.
After pdf download completes, I touch once, and hit "open in iBook". Find it very handy having theese documents readily available in my iBooks library.

[GeoffL]

Sorry Selene, full name is 'ShipFinder HD' and it should be at
App Store - Ship Finder Free for the free version
App Store - Ship Finder for the full version

sailcruiser, thank you, that's a really useful website

[svHannabel]

A review of my favorite apps is given here: Sail Far Live Free: Best Apps for Sailing and Boating

And here's my personal review of Navionics for iOS: Sail Far Live Free: Review: Navionics HD Chartplotter for iPad and iOS

[svHannabel]

Originally Posted by Geoff Leeming

Sorry Selene, full name is 'ShipFinder HD' and it should be at
App Store - Ship Finder Free for the free version
App Store - Ship Finder for the full version

I just posted my ShipFinder (and MarineTraffic.com) review here: Sail Far Live Free: Looking for Affordable AIS? Here's a Few Low Cost Options

[GPSNavX]

iNavX includes NOAA US charts, but additional charts (that cover much of the rest of the world) can be purchased from X-Traverse.

[GeoffL]

Thanks Hannabel, that's a great blog post. It turns out there are two 'Sail Master' apps - one by Navismare called 'SailMaster' and one called 'Marine - Sail Master HD'. I think it's the second one that you're recommending. I can't find 'MyRadar' - do you have a link you can share, by any chance?

By the way, Practical Boat Owner also has online editions, and is quite a useful, if UK-centric, mag. Coincidentally the March issue, that has just come out, has a review of iPad navigation apps. I get the mag via the Zinio magazine app.

[GeoffL]

gPSNavX, the PBO review does cover your app, and rates it quite highly. But it does point out that as you have to buy the app, and then buy the charts as well, it turns out to be more expensive than the competition for non-US charts.

[SailFastTri]

Originally Posted by ActiveCaptain

Stay tuned. There are fantastic new things coming - and no, I'm not developing a chartplotter. The new ones coming out though want to connect to ActiveCaptain so I'm getting early looks at quite a bunch of them. One in particular that should be out at the Miami Boat Show is going to change the whole game. Navionics has had it all too easy for too long. Prepare for a new beginning in marine electronics for the iPad in the first quarter of 2012...

OK I've been watching for this to be announced and I must have blinked. Can you tell us now what this is?

[s/v Jedi]

I also have a thumbs up for the MotionX app. It's like an old fashioned GPS unit, not the turn by turn instructions road warrior version.

I use it to record tracks which can be saved as gpx (geotagging photos), viewed on Google Earth etc. It support maps too incl. the OSM obes (open street map). We like the hiking maps too, and the satellite options. All those maps can be downloaded so that they work when no Internet link is active.

ciao!
Nick.

[Sabreur]

I just tripped over a great little app called Man Over-board in the App Store under Navigation which I downloaded to my iPhone but it says it works on the iPad too. I use it on San Francisco bay over the weekend. Whilst it is intended for use when someone goes overboard I used it for practicing MOB technique with my crew. It actually made practice fun!

[r.fairman]

For sail fast

The app we were all meant to hold our breaths for and would change the game forever was the Bluecharts mobile app from garmin. As a classic opposition spoiler it was announced at Miami but will not be released until june this year. Surprise surprise in incorporates Active Captain. I think a single chart plotter in the hand is worth two in the bush.

Regards

Richard