The

“Appy”

Mariner

Use your smart phone for smart boating

The “appy” Mariner’s iPhone is loaded with applications (apps) that contribute to the pleasure of boating. With more than 10,000 apps available from Apple’s App Store, plus tens of thousands from other sources, choosing the right ones can be challenging. Unless you devote your iPhone exclusively to maritime activities, you will need to be selective.
Apps I use include: AeroWeather (free), GPS Tracker (free), MotionX-GPS (free), Safari (standard on iPhone), iNavX Marine Navigation ($49.99), Tides ($0.99) (or AyeTides—accessed from within iNavX, $9.99), Navionics Marine ($9.99 per U.S. chart), Wind Meter ($0.99), EveryTrail (free), Google Earth (free), Google Mobile (free), Take Me To My Car (free), Flashlight (free), Clinometer ($0.99), and Navigation Rules ($2.99). Those who trailer their boats will find Boat Ramps ($0.99) very useful. AeroWeather, Safari, Google Earth, Google Mobile, and Boat Ramps work only when within range of a Wi-Fi signal or an AT&T cell network, the others function independently. When the boat is secured at the end of the day, Drinks Free (free) will provide the recipes for 5,000 beverages.
AeroWeather provides live aviation weather information for virtually any airport in the world. Tapping into those airports near navigable water accesses information very useful to cruisers. The Safari Web browser provides access to real-time images of the National Weather Service radar system.
GPS Tracker provides quick access to position and GPS signal quality data plus a way to record, track and export position data. MotionX-GPS is invaluable when using the iPhone in areas where the phone’s normal AGPS mode (assisted GPS; the GPS receiver is aided with information from the AT&T cellular phone towers) is unavailable and the GPS receiver must operate independently. The app provides a wealth of position determination information, including satellite signal reception.
The two chartplotter apps, iNavX and Navionics, are similar but have important differences. iNavX can access all U.S. raster charts and will automatically search for and download the most appropriate chart when it is used in a location with Wi-Fi or cellular connection. Fly to a distant boating area, and within a few minutes iNavX will present the needed chart. The app also works with Navionics charts obtained via Fugawi X-Traverse. The AyeTides app provides tide and current data within iNavX or you can use the Tides app independently.
Each Navionics chart application provides access to any one of the U.S. regional chart areas with on-chart, one-click access to tides and currents at specific locations. The app also includes an 8-topic search mode and the ability to locate a position by entering Latitude/Longitude data. Chart information updates are sent to the iPhone via iPhone’s App Store link. A click on the camera icon at the top left of the screen captures and georeferences an image to the chart. Both iNavX and Navionics create voyage tracks, store waypoints and can measure on-screen bearing and distance.
The very clever wind meter app uses the sound created by the flow of air past the phone’s microphone to provide a wind speed-reading.  EveryTrail uses the iPhone’s GPS receiver to precisely log your track when walking, boating, riding a bike, or driving. Photos taken with the iPhone’s camera or with a separate digital camera are georeferenced for inclusion in the trip log.
When cell service is available, Google Earth can provide very useful images of the harbor you are about to enter, including details that may not be available on the boat’s chartplotter. The Google Mobile app provides an easy, voice-activated way to access a wealth of information on the Web.
Take Me To My Car will also lead you back to your anchored boat when darkness or fog limits visibility. A screen tap inputs your original position; tap again when it’s time to dinghy back to your boat.
Flashlight provides a wide area of constant or flashing light in whatever color you wish. The app won’t substitute for a real flashlight but its virtually always in your pocket and ready to be used.
Clinometer is both a bubble level and an instrument for measurement of vertical angles. Use it to check the trim angle of the boat or to obtain the elevation angle of the sun, moon or stars so you can use celestial navigation.
Nav Rules presents the complete Rules of The Road in an easy to read, fully searchable form. Although not yet a Coast Guard approved substitute for the printed version required on all boats longer than 12 meters, it’s a great way to improve your knowledge of all the rules. Two companion apps from the same company, Boater’s Glossary and Boater’s Pocket Reference provide answers to a wide variety of questions.