Yachting apps are great for free or inexpensive access to all sorts of nautical information, from the weather forecast to locating friends anchored in the harbor. Listed here are some of the most popular, user-friendly yachting apps with links. Fair winds!!
iNavX
For: iPhone/iPad, $19.99
iNavX™ delivers thousands of charts and hundreds of features. You can access the official and up-to-date high resolution NOAA RNC raster United States marine charts of the West Coast, Gulf Coast, East Coast, Great Lakes, Alaska, Hawaii, and US Virgin Islands. Download maps and charts from Navionics, CHS, NV Charts, Soltenick and other chart providers. Request Theyr and GRIB file weather data too.
iSailGPS
For: iPhone/iPad, US $7.99, NZ $4.99
One of the least expensive navigation apps for ease of yachting. Download the forever-free charts directly to your mobile device when you have Internet access. Use these charts on the water anytime, even with no cell signal. Store up to 750 charts. App features include; chart download and management, import/export of waypoints, routes and tracks. While navigating a route, data for position, distance, speed, bearing and heading are all displayed at the top of the screen.
Navimatics Charts & Tides
For: iPhone/iPad, free
The product line encompasses electronic aeronautical and marine charts and celestial navigation. Get access to charts, tides, ActiveCaptain information and GPS navigation. Also, add a GPS device to navigate a route. (Aero Charts is temporarily unavailable.) Complete Celestial Navigation and Nautical Almanac app is $19.99.
Navionics
For: iPhone/iPad/Android, free trial, free basic version
iPhone: USA $9.99, Caribbean & South America $14.99
iPad: USA HD $49.99, Caribbean & South America $54.99
Additional regions available.
Search for Navionics Boating in your app store, download a free trial version on iPhone, or iPad, that starts automatically. On Android tap on Menu>Shop and select your region. You get a two-week free trial to experience Navionics+ containing the detailed charts and advanced features. Or choose any paid app where Navionics+ is already included.
Polarview MX
For: iPhone/iPad, free
PolarView MX integrates with ActiveCaptain and is a viewer for NOAA vector and raster charts.
SeaNav US/UK HD
For: iPad/iPhone, Apple Watch, $19.99
SeaNav US/UK is a relatively new navigation app by PocketMariner. Explore, plan and navigate in real time and outstanding high-resolution using the latest Digital Vector Marine charts. SeaNav is available now in the App Store for iPhone, iPad and Mac. SeaNav US covers the whole of the US Coast and Great Lakes. SeaNav UK covers all of the UK and Ireland. In app options get additional charts for Canada, France, Netherlands, Belgium and Germany. SeaNav includes extra functionality to run exclusively on your Apple Watch.
BoatBeacon
For: iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Android, $12.99
SeaNav companion app for navigating high traffic anchorages and areas not far offshore. Requires internet connection (typically no more than 15 miles off the coast), to track boats on AIS as well as boats without AIS that are using BoatBeacon. Flag other yachts in your tandem charters, flotillas, races or fleets, to message, follow and chat. Folks back at base can also watch the Group in real time on Boat Beacon’s Group web pages.
MX Mariner
For: Android, $9.99
MX Mariner allows for free installation of raster charts from NOAA. Also, LINZ in New Zealand, UKHO in the UK and Ireland, and the Brazil Navy in Brazil. Offline, the charts are static. Online, the charts show detailed maps with roads and satellite images. The app displays the boat’s current position and SOG and COG. MX Mariner also allows users to plot waypoints, tracks and routes by importing them as GPX files. As a bonus, the app features multiple light settings for a variety of condition. Adjusts whether you’re yachting mid-day or at sea in the dead of night.
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