Today, smartphones have completely transformed our lifestyles, making simple many daily activities that once seemed impossible.
This technological revolution has also reached the boating industry.
In boating, in fact, smartphones and tablets have become valuable, often essential tools to ensure safe navigation, maximize enjoyment during sea trips, and improve comfort on board.
From real-time weather forecasts and direct contact with ports around the world to comprehensive navigation tools and astronomical guides, nautical apps offer a plethora of functions all packed into one device. Why Use Apps on the Boat? There are many benefits to using apps while on a boat.
Among the most popular are weather apps, which allow you to monitor sea and wind conditions in real time, enabling careful planning of outings and optimal preparation to deal with any unforeseen events.
Other useful apps offer information on nearby harbors, available services, and free berths, making it easier to sail with peace of mind.
Some of these are also mentioned in the section on bay anchoring tips on page 66.
Navigation apps provide detailed nautical charts, route planning tools, and advanced features that can supplement or even replace on-board electronics.
Although these apps work best when connected to the Internet, many allow offline map downloads for use without a connection.
Finally, leisure apps turn smartphones and tablets into true on-board entertainment centers.
With them, one can listen to music, watch movies or TV series, read books and magazines, play games, and even learn new skills. The Boats Around You
- Marine Traffic: A must-have app for viewing the location of ships and yachts around the world in real time.
Using AIS data, it covers over 100,000 vessels, ports and routes.
Have Fun and Learn
- Dock Your Boat 3D: A perfect simulator for practicing mooring maneuvers, suitable for young and old.
Book with a Tap
- Seasy: A useful app for finding and booking berths or anchorages directly from your device, thanks to a vast database of ports and buoy fields.
Fisherman’s Summer
- Fishing Points: Ideal for anglers, this app offers a community of more than 9 million users and provides information on tides, moon phases, and weather forecasts that affect fish movements.
Music for All
- Spotify: Probably the best known after WhatsApp, it offers access to an extensive music library via subscription.
Surfers Also Use It
- Windy.com: A popular app for surfers to check data on weather, wind, currents and swells.
Easy License
- Nautical Quiz: Perfect for practicing for a boating license or introducing beginners to the world of boating.
Read our magazine
- Boats to Motor: Download the Boats to Motor app to subscribe to the magazine or purchase and read individual issues!
Watch All Races
- RaiPlay: Can’t-miss on your device this year to follow the Paris Olympics!
Secondary Screen
- Boatspeed: Ideal as a secondary display to the onboard chartplotter to monitor speed and navigation angles, perfect on an older smartphone to keep on board at all times.
With these apps, the boating experience becomes easier and more engaging, offering a wide range of tools and entertainment for every need.
