Now that the weather is starting to warm up, we know that many of you are itching to get out on the water. While you're getting everything together, check out these useful apps that have been developed specifically for boaters - some are free, some charge a fee.
iNavX
This is a full-featured app for charting and tracking your position, as it gives you access to navigation, GPS, and charting in the palm of your hand. iNavX communicates with marine navigation software including Navionics, Fugawi, and Waterway Guide. Plan routes and manage your adventure; the app keeps you up-to-date on weather and boating conditions including currents, winds, and swells. Available on Apple and Android. http://inavx.com/
U.S. Coast Guard Mobile App
This app provides pertinent boating safety information including a safety equipment checklist and scheduling a vessel safety check. While boating, the app allows you to report hazards, pollution, or suspicious activity in your area. It also features an emergency assistance button — with your device’s locations service enabled, it will call the closest U.S. Coast Guard command center to summon help for you or a fellow boater.
Dockwa
Say goodbye to web forms, phone tag, and uncertainty about your itinerary with this app that allows boaters to select a destination, view area marinas, and request a slip or mooring. You can compare rates, amenities and services, get quotes in-app, and reserve at the last minute or months in advance. Once your selected marina accepts the reservation, payment is processed swiftly through the app. Available on Apple and Android. https://dockwa.com/
USA Tides
This tides app provides marine tide information from all reporting stations in the U.S. The app includes easy-to-read features such as tide data, tide graph, tide stations sorted by state, favorite stations, station distance from your location, and a station map. Additionally, times for sunrise, sunset, moonrise, and moonset are provided. Available on Apple. https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/usa-tides-free/id465814696?mt=8
Tides Near Me
Get tides and currents near you, fast & free. Tides Near Me focuses on nearby tide stations and current tidal conditions. Quickly learn the time of the last and next tide and current, as well as when the sun and moon will rise or set. Fully automated tide tables, charts, and predictions. Available on Android. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=me.tidesnear.free&hl=en_US
Boating Buddies
This is a revolutionary geo-sharing app that lets Facebook users broadcast their location to just friends and family or also to public users with shared interests and mutual friends. There are interesting features such as friend radar — it shows you which of your friends are nearby. You have the option to message your friends, view their location on a map view, and get directions. The app provides push notifications to notify and connect you to your friends and a public radar that shows users who else is using Boater Buddies nearby. You can see what your friends are up to and perhaps meet new people who share a love of boating. Available on Apple. https://appapp.io/au/app/boating-buddies/1215235795
NOAA Marine Weather & Radar Pro
This app puts a powerful yet easy-to-use weather station right on your device. Take a fast glance at your device (including your Apple watch) for a weather check and obtain a 24-hour forecast with just a swipe. This app has real-time animated weather radar images on a highly interactive map enhanced with severe weather warnings and alerts. Bad weather won’t take you by surprise with features such as push notifications, radar and satellite overlays, a 24-hour rain map, and hurricane tracking. This is the only app where all National Weather Service watches, warnings, and other alerts are shown on the map as interactive polygons. Available on Apple and Android. http://www.apalon.com/noaa_radar_pro.html
If you’re a member of a towing service, be sure to download the service’s app as well.
Original Article Source: http://boatingtimesli.com/NY/2017/07/01/valuableboatingapps/