Every sailor who has a smartphone or tablet uses sailing-specific apps for weather forecasts or navigation. Familiar names such as Navionics or Windy quickly spring to mind. However, an internal survey revealed many alternatives in almost all areas - from navigation, harbour and area information and weather forecasts to useful aids for shore excursions.
Also for sailors: the range of apps is huge
In short, the range of programmes is huge. The fact that the names of the programmes are not always clearly assigned adds to the confusion; for example, there are two Windy apps and various anchor alarms. Sometimes it only becomes clear after installation that you haven't got the app with the desired functions after all. This is a tedious process, which is why we have also included the icon associated with the programme in the topic-specific articles.
Many apps are free, at least in a lite version, so download them, try them out and delete them if necessary - a great activity for a day at the harbour.
Our selection is based on the experience of the editorial team and the results of past app comparisons. The result shows the best, most helpful and most tried-and-tested apps currently available in all areas.
The best weather apps
Weather apps have been a valuable aid to trip planning for many years, but the ever-improving routing function in particular is making such programmes for tablets and smartphones increasingly interesting. We take a closer look at ten applications for weather and routing. These include both free and paid apps that cover different types and areas of application for forecasts.
Navigation made easy
Although Navionics is the clear market leader in navigation programmes, the current edition of the C-Map app and the newcomer Orca from Norway are likely to threaten the dominance of the boating app. However, some of the twelve programmes presented differ greatly in terms of their functions and cover the entire range of topics. This also includes safety applications such as SafeTrx from the sea rescuers.
Smartphone as an on-board instrument
Various programmes on a tablet or smartphone can also be used as a subsidiary display or configuration aid. This makes it easy to access the on-board instruments from any position. Which apps are particularly suitable from the sheer endless range on offer:
Apps as harbour, anchor and area guides
Is there enough chain, is the anchor holding, or is there a nicer bay nearby? Questions that can be answered more quickly and safely with the apps presented. In the article, classic content created by area experts, such as the harbour guide, competes with the community-based Navily app; both models have their strengths. Conclusion: Six apps help you to spend your nights on a cruise much more safely and easily. No more tedious look-ups or annoying recalculations!
Perfect shore leave thanks to apps
Helpful programmes for a day ashore are also among the essential apps for sailing. Here you can draw a lot from the general app world, only a few are specific to sailing in this area. That's not even necessary, you just need to know which translator, tour planner or currency converter is really suitable and which ones suit you personally.
