Smartphones and tablets have now become important helpers for life on board. In addition to established electronic nautical charts, sailors and motorboat skippers can find many more or less sophisticated apps for their hobby in the stores. In the following, SeaHelp presents selected apps for route planning and boat monitoring, which are generally offered free of charge as basic or trial versions.
Installing a navigation app is always a sensible investment if you want to be out on the sea without a chart plotter or independently of printed and usually rather bulky nautical charts. These electronic little helpers are available free of charge or are a “manageable” investment with prices between €30 and €50 for a regional subscription or up to €150 in a package with worldwide chart coverage. Analog chart material must, of course, still be kept on board as a backup, as cell phones can fail and GPS data can be disrupted or distorted.
A very modern all-in-one navigation Boating App that has been expanded over the years with frequent updates. In addition to detailed maps—which can also be used offline—it offers many features for cruising (e.g., automatic route suggestions), weather, and also “goodies” such as detailed underwater maps (e.g., fishing & diving) and community input. Annual subscription between €30 and €99 depending on the region.
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C-Map
Also a top nautical chart app; rather classically functional in design, it scores with broad global coverage as well as high compatibility with other platforms and is significantly more affordable, both for regional subscriptions and with its worldwide premium package. Annual subscription between €30 (regional) and €50 worldwide.
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NV Charts
Those who do not want to do without traditional paper nautical charts receive the app including GPS navigation for free or on a trial basis with the chart atlas and can then draw their own analog and electronic comparisons for a year. Annual subscription between €30 and €40 depending on the region.
Download:
A hot new candidate among all-in-one solutions is this exciting app with many important possibilities and new combinations such as expanded weather data, fast route planning, and precise, detailed cartography. Already on the market, but no reliable experiences or ratings are available yet. Annual premium subscription €80 plus between €30 and €60 per nautical chart.
Download:
Apps for wind, weather & waves
Windy
For years, the app has been considered a mature tool for a “big,” well-founded weather overview, scoring with very detailed maps and extensive information—and not least with a good visual presentation—for serious cruise planning. It also convinces demanding skippers. Annual premium subscription €26.
Download:
Windfinder
Practical app with simple operation and clear presentation for a quick local check and thus sufficient for many requirements. Already equipped with local / regional popup severe weather warnings in the free basic version (thanks to discreetly placed advertising). In Croatia alone, Windfinder has over 900 weather spots! Ad-free annual subscription €13.
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Note: Although both tested wind and weather apps provide real-time readings, large discrepancies in weather or wave data were found in direct comparison in some cases.
Apps for harbours, marinas, bays
The most established digital providers for harbours & bays include:
Although the worldwide app has an American touch, it has established itself in the Mediterranean within a few years and replaces any classic harbour handbook with simple means. As a core competence, it shows the current weather situation, and with the stored comments from the app community, a realistic picture of a berth emerges, which ideally can also be reserved online immediately. Annual premium subscription €30.
Download:
mySea
Designed for Croatia and only a few other Mediterranean regions, the popular app delivers a berth reservation system along with plenty of information and facts for boat & crew. In addition to the usuals like gas stations or repair shops, a pre-sale service for national park tickets is also offered. Annual premium subscription between €10 – €30 depending on the region.
Download:
ADAC Skipper App (Mediterranean)
Still in expansion & bug-fixing mode, it scores with, among other things, comprehensive information on marinas and price advantages in ADAC base marinas and is also well-suited for cruise planning. Annual subscription €20 – €25 (non-members).
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Note: Various water sports apps now offer online bookings; however, practical experiences vary. As with reservation requests via email, the response rate is rather low, and heading into high season, only classic radio or mobile phone remains an option in individual cases.
Apps for boat monitoring
Ankeralarm
An app like this can replace many exhausting night watches. If the set swinging circle is left, an alarm sounds, and with the integrated anchorage search, there are indications of where other boats have already anchored. It also features remote monitoring while the crew is ashore. One-time purchase €20, subscription options from €3.
Download:
Note: Many apps in this area use GPS positions to calculate drift, so fluctuations are always possible depending on location and device. To have a reliable overall view for permanent moorers or ambitious (offshore) trips, a combination of an app with corresponding hardware is recommended. Such systems include:
Sense4Boat
With GPS tracking, theft protection, battery and bilge monitoring, and other electronic possibilities, the “transparent boat” is created. Annual subscription from approx. €50.
Download:
Note: The app does not yet have reviews in the stores, but it offers affordable paths for monitoring and provides remote monitoring from home. Including emergency alerting, the app then requires an investment in additional hardware so that all information can be accessed / received via smartphone etc.
Conclusion:
Many water sports apps are available for free in basic or trial versions. Navigation apps can replace classic nautical charts or the plotter, but the analog nautical chart must remain on board. Due to possible network fluctuations, download offline maps/data before the start of the trip.
Apps that are also fed by user input are more up-to-date. No app covers everything! And should a major blackout ever hit the boat and its electrics/electronics, the long-standing standard work “888 Harbours & Bays” will help—at least in Slovenia, Croatia & Montenegro.
Last but not least, SeaHelp, Europe’s leading nautical breakdown service, is available around the clock for immediate assistance at sea, not only via app and its 24h emergency hotline. The company recently celebrated its 20th anniversary, and the constantly updated app offers extensive info and service offerings in addition to professional breakdown and emergency services: from current tips around boating to insurance and a current news portal for Croatia with tips and suggestions for all boat and yacht owners.
24h EMERGENCY EUROPE: 0043 50 43 112
In an emergency, SeaHelp intervention boats can be called using the practical SeaHelp app, or via the toll-free emergency number for Europe 0043 50 43 112 (or the alternative emergency number for Europe 00385 919 112 112).
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