Most everybody is familiar with the popular music app Pandora. Once you've downloaded your safety and planning apps, it's time to start partying with music, water sports and fishing fun. It's free and available on Google Play and iTunes.īoating Entertainment, Fishing and Diving Apps If you're going to have any app at all, I highly recommend this one. You can also check tides, weather conditions and forecasts. The dispatch is available 24/7 and can find your location via the GPS on your phone.
Just in case of that dreaded breakdown or prop problem, BoatUS is a great marine app to have when you need a tow. The marine map overlay is a really cool feature as it allows you to toggle data (such as wind speeds, wave heights and water surface temperature) right onto the map for an up-to-date look at boating conditions. As the name implies, it has free nautical charts as well as route planning tools, buoy reports, hazards such as submerged rocks and vessels and marine map overlays. It's free and available on Google Play and iTunes.ĭeveloped by Arpeggio, this app is a great way to plan your trip. This is especially useful if you're out of town and don't necessarily know the area. The Boat Ramps app even gives directions. Boat Rampsīefore you head out for the day, you might want to find the closest or highest rated boat ramp. But who knew there were so many other useful boating apps out there? Here are just a few: 1. You never know when a storm might pop up, and it's good to have as much advance notice as possible. Obviously, everybody needs a good weather app when out on the water. Many boating apps will even store information for your next trip out. Then all you have to do is follow along on your tablet or phone. Decide where you want to fish or snorkel and enter the information. Much like a GPS we all use in our cars, a mobile app can help you plot your route out on the water. Likewise, with the right marine app, you can share your own tips and favorite spots for fishing, diving, dining or just hanging out. You can use other boaters' experiences to plan trips and anchorages. Tips like steer clear of the Dismal Swamp are not only helpful but can make your whole trip a whole lot more pleasant.Ĭommunity Integration (Sharing Information with Other Boaters) It's always nice to see what routes or marinas other boaters have liked, or not liked, in their travels. Having sample navigation routes is beneficial if you're planning a long cruise trip like the Great Loop. With a handy mobile app, you can enter your way points for your own use while providing easy access for that reliable land-based friend (or others in your cruising group). One of the first rules in boating is to always have a float plan, which means someone on land should have details of where you plan to be and when you plan to be there. Important Features of Boating Apps Ability to Enter/Store/Download Way points and Enter a Float Plan
Whether you're a die hard iOS user or an Android addict, you're sure to find a marine boating app to suit your needs for safety, planning or fun. With so many of us relying on mobile applications for assistance, information and planning in our day-to-day lives, it makes sense to take advantage of this same technology in our boating lives. Want to find out where the fish are biting and the boats are launching? Yep, there's even an app for that. Need to find the best rates on car insurance? There's an app for that. Need to know the name of a song on the radio? There's an app for that.