There are a wide range of providers on the app market that collect navigation and weather data and make it accessible via smartphones. However, on many inland waterways there is as yet no standardised platform that brings together data for several areas within a single application.
To fill this gap in Bavaria, the provider Skipperfriends has now expanded its app – originally developed for Lake Chiemsee – to cover five Bavarian lakes and released it under the new name “Binnen Skipper”.
Weather and emergency information for five lakes
At the heart of the app is an offline nautical chart, which is stored entirely on the device and is designed to work even without a signal. Depending on the area, it shows harbours, jetties, slipways, crane sites, steamer jetties, shoals, buoys, as well as quiet and protected zones. Your own position is visible at all times and you can check the bearing to the nearest harbour at any time.
The free Anchor Watch app is designed to provide greater safety whilst at anchor. It monitors the boat’s position and, according to the provider, triggers a loud audible alarm as soon as the boat leaves the designated area. It runs in the background even when the screen is locked.
Protection in an emergency
Up-to-date weather data is essential for proper trip planning. Although the free version of “Binnen Skipper” does not offer the full range of features, it does include the most important ones for emergencies: the app provides access to all official severe weather warnings issued by the German Weather Service. Information from the storm warning lights on the five lakes is also available free of charge. The free basic package also includes emergency numbers, contact details for the water rescue service and information on maritime rescue. Current weather conditions with forecasts, the current water level and water temperature are also available.
Logbook
Trips can be recorded for free in the app using GPS. Key data such as distance, duration, speed, course and crew size are recorded. According to Skipperfriends, all saved trips are stored permanently and are not deleted. However, without the Pro version, only the three most recent trips can be viewed in full. For older entries, the date, route and duration are still visible, but the detailed view is restricted.
Features of the Premium version
The Pro version of Binnen Skipper costs a one-off fee of 14.99 euros and unlocks all features. As well as access to the more detailed DWD weather models ICON-D2 and ICON-EU, you can also use the wind routing feature. This calculates the wind conditions for the current day and warns of approaching strong winds. The home screen widgets display the weather, water levels, water temperature and webcam feed directly on the home screen.
There are also plenty of features for data enthusiasts. The trip analysis provides a weather review for each individual trip. The seasonal summary also allows you to collate all your records over a longer period. Saved trips can be exported as a GPX file or shared as a map. Those who want to test their skills can also take part in a virtual regatta with Yardstick scoring.
Costs
Anyone who would like to try out the app first can use the full range of Pro features free of charge for seven days, once per device. The trial ends automatically with no obligation to buy. The app is available for iOS from version 15.1 onwards and for Android available.
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David Ingelfinger
Volontär