Apps for Sailors

Android Apps

1. SailDroid (GPS free) www.androidzoom.com
   Provides compass, speed (kt.), position, and distance log (n.mi.). Large characters for easy reading.
2. BC Racer (GPS) sites.google.com/site/beercanracer
   Beer Can Racer provides navigation data for racing, including a tack indicator, location marker, sailing angle, bearing to target, distance to target, and speed. (Android Market only)
3. MarineCast (GPS/Internet) www.infobridge.net
   Weather data from SailFlow.com in a mobile format. Some Canadian locations e.g. Comox BC, Powell River BC, Iles-de-la-Madeleine, Petawawa ON, Coboug ON, Sault Ste. Marie ON, Les Excoumins PQ, Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue PQ, St Stephen NB, Cottlesville NL.
4. The Practical Encyclopedia of Boating (~$20) android.mobisystems.com | mobisystems.com/mobile
   Source for specialized information for boat maintenance, navigation, boat handling, knots, boat design, nautical reference data.
5. Boat Ramps www.TakeMeFishing.org
   Android app that displays the locations of 35,000 U.S. boating ramps. Useful only if you trailer-boat (or want to create an app for Canada).
6. Google Earth Earth.google.com
   Google Earth displays maps anywhere in the world, plus images of points of interest.

iPad/iPhone/iTouch Apps for Sailors

1. Maps and Charts
   Maps and Charts are perhaps the most essential (and one of the most amazing) uses of the iPhone for yachting especially if you're bareboating. These programs pack amazing features into the iPhone.
2. Navionics Nautical Charts
   Available for U.S. East Marine, Mediterranean, etc.
3. iNavX Marine Navigation
   U.S. marine charts for West Coast, Gulf Coast, East Coast, Great Lakes, Alaska, Hawaii, Virgin Islands.
4. Google Earth, Google Ocean earth.google.com/ocean
   Google Earth displays maps anywhere in the world. Google Ocean displays points of interest under the ocean.
5. AyeTides itunes.apple.com
   iPhone app displays tides and currents in ports worldwide.
6. Boating Weather itunes.apple.com
   Mobile weather reports.
7. The Captain's Toolbox itunes.apple.com
   Navigation and seamanship resource in one easy to use application. (no connection required)

The things I don't know about boating could fill a book. "First Mate 101" has all the confidence-building detail you need to start boating like a pro - download it online for your crew! More about the book...