A large number of apps have been developed for sailors. Here are links to reviews of many of the best of them, along with related information.
Navigation and Charting Apps
Many navigation and charting apps are available for the iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch and Android devices. Most have routing functions. Here are key ones you should consider:
Charting Apps for Apple Devices
Pocket Nav is my favorite navigational app using raster charts (free from NOAA).
Charts and Tides is an inexpensive app that comes with American vector charts built in, along with the ActiveCaptain Cruising Guidebook.
The Navionics Marine and Lakes app is popular with many sailors.
I doubt the SEAiq marine navigation and plotting app is for everyone.
iSailor is a newer player in the game.
Charting Apps for Android Devices
Memory-Map has the fullest navigating features for Android devices.
MX Mariner is another fine app using raster charts.
Navionics Marine & Lakes has some interesting features and uses vector charts.
Two free Android apps (initially free, at least) are Marine Charts Lite and Marine Charts HD and NutiCharts Lite, but I cannot recommend either for much use on the water.
Here's a comparison of 5 Android apps for boat charts and navigation to help you choose the one best for you.
The free Course to Steer app calculates how to steer to compensate for a current and leeway from the wind.
Remember that any electronic device can fail at any time, so don’t depend on only a chart app. To be prepared, learn also to navigate with just a depthfinder and a chart.
When anchored, the My Anchor Watch app can help ensure you know it if your anchor is starting to drag. DragQueen Anchor Alarm is another anchoring app available for both Android and Apple devices and smartphones.
Laptop Chartplotters
Although not an app but free chartplotter software for laptops, OpenCPN is simply a great navigational program.
For a laptop navigation and plotting program with more powerful features, do a test drive of the inexpensive Polar Navy program.
Apps for Weather
The MarineCast weather app for boaters provides a wealth of information about present and forecast conditions.
Marine Weather is a decent app for both Apple and Android devices that also includes tides, radar, and more.
The Wind NOAA app provides a quick snapshot of wind information for your area.
The free version of the PredictWind app for both Apple and Android devices is a good choice for planning for local weather conditions.
Be cautious about using the Marine Weather Right Now app.
Apps for Tides
AyeTides is probably the best general-purpose tide app for Apple devices.
For Android devices, I like best the Tides & Currents app.
Tides Planner 10 and Tide Graph are two more tide apps.
The Tidal Chronoscope app looks like a classic tide watch.
Sailing/Boating Reference Apps
The Cruisers Forum app for both Apple and Android devices puts you in touch with tens of thousands of boaters who can help answer your every question.
Another nice app to have at hand when sailing is the Boater's Pocket Reference app, which provides a ton of information.
The Apple device SailingApp doesn’t have as much information as the Pocket Reference, but it’s still a good start for beginners. Check it out.
The Apple and Android app Navigation Lights and Shapes is useful for learning about required navigational lights (and identifying the boat lights you see at night).
The ColRegs Rules of the Road app for both Android and Apple teaches the rules for preventing collisions.
Nautical Chart Symbols is an app that tells what many chart symbols and abbreviations mean.
Sailing Educational Apps
The multi-part American Sailing Association ASA app defies simple categorization, but its best features are useful for learning sailing skills and information.
The Sailboat app for Android is a simple simulation and racing game.
Points of Sail is a simple app for teaching sailing terms and sail positions for points of sail.
SailSim is a more useful app for learning about how the sails and other sailing aspects vary according to wind and point of sail.
History of Sailing is much more than just about history - it provides a basic introduction to many sailing topics for those wanting to learn the fundamentals.
Sailing Flashcards is a simple app for learning the parts of a sailboat and sailing terminology.
Stay away from the Nautical Books app, which just wants your money for books you can get free - read the review to learn how.
Sailing Game Apps
America’s Cup Speed Trials is a simple racing game from the official America’s Cup folks.
Tall Ships Age of Sail is a fun naval battle game with some historical and sailing realism.
Sailboat Championship PRO is a sailboat racing game for iPhone and iPad that has some nice touches.
3D Sailing Simulator Regatta is a better sailboat racing game for Android devices.
Little Sailor is the best sailing simulator and racing game for Apple devices.
GPS and Hardware for Apps
Need cheap connectivity for your laptop or tablet when cruising? FreedomPop’s mobile wi-fi hotspot is cheap and may be your perfect solution.
If you need a waterproof case for your iPhone or want to add a GPS to your iPod Touch for using navigation apps, check out the Magellan ToughCase.
The Dual XGPS150 Universal Bluetooth GPS Receiver can be used with an iPod Touch or iPad (or Android smart phone or laptop) to provide a GPS location for navigation apps.
Looking for a waterproof case for your smartphone or tablet? Check out this one.
