Welcome to the wide and various world of Apps dedi- cated to coastal navigation ( that is how far 4G network is avai- lable). You only need a tablet and a smartphone, protected by a watertight cover, to enjoy many functions that, until a few years ago, would have been mere utopia without ad hoc tools.
Think about weather forecast: if once VHF channel 68 was the only one, periodic source (the most “technological” ones had at most teleprinting weather receivers), today you only need a good application to display on your device what will happen around your boat in the short and in the long term. Of course, Apps do not replace traditional electronics but represent an im- portant addition.
We have selected the most interesting Apps currently available for both Apple (iOs) and Android devices.
NAVILY
All the information concerning berths in over 220 marinas in Europe and in the Mediterranean, with the possibility to book your berth. The App is also a sort of “TripAdvisor” of the sea with all the advice of the community.
VENTUSKY
Developed by a Czech company, Ventusky is an App that provides real-team weather and wind forecast and monitors the motion of waves in oceans and seas all around the world, in a very clear way.
MARINE TRAFFIC
Marine Traffic allows to display in real time the position of vessels equipped with AIS system all around the world. Every day, you can follow the course of more than 80 thousand boats and enjoy a rich photo gallery with one million photos of vessels, ports and lighthouses.
NAVIONICS / BOATING
Boating, the App by Navionics (a company newly took over by Garmin) for smartphone and tablet, is one among the most used and appreciated Apps in the sailing community. It is offered in two different versions: “free” and “ plus”: the latter offers the same detailed charts as the best GPS plotters directly on your device as well as a wide set of advanced functions.
SEA CONDITIONS
SeaConditions is a service providing ocean and weather forecasts at sea. Forecasts concerning
the Mediterranean Sea are produced by numerical models using satellite observations and in situ data. Forecasts are free (even if a premium version with additional functions is available, too) and refer to a time-span of four and a half days, with a time schedule of 3 hours for the first two and a half days and of 6 hours for the second two.
IMRAY NAVIGATOR
Another App widely used and appreciated by sailors. User-friendly and clear, it enables you to manage waypoints, routes, distances, position, destinations and many visualization options.
C-MAP / PLAN2NAV
Plan2Nav is based on C-Map (a society took over by Navico) maps: download is free and you will pay only the maps you need and that will be displayed with the maximum detail available.
KNOTS 3D
Enjoy over 120 different knots directly on your smartphone or tablet: you can learn how to tie them, thanks to 3D pictures that can be rotated and seen in detail.
INAVX
iNavX is a widely used App that supports different types of charts (including Navionics): moreover, it integrates the AIS Live function and, through NMEA interface, makes your device a repeater of your on- board tools.
STAR CHART
This App, to be used at night, features augmented reality and some very nice graphical representations of the night sky. You can shift forwards and backwards in time by up to 10,000 years and understand the origins and future of both stars and constellations.
BOATBEACON
Boatbeacon turns your device into an AIS receiver with a range of about 60 miles, in which you can see all the boats equipped with AIS.
METEOMED
Install it on your device and consult all of the marine weather parameters, for up to 7 days on an hourly basis and up to 10 days on a daily basis. Clicking on any marine point, you can see all the weather parameters (weather foreseen, wind direction and intensity, wave height and direction and much more).