Best Boating Apps

Apps on our phones, tablets and laptops have become a large part of everyday life. They make tasks easier and provide a wealth of information at our fingertips. This is also true for boating apps, which can help plan the day, find interesting places, route boaters safely and even get help when needed.

Here are a few standout boating apps that will serve boaters well this summer season.

iNavX

One of the most popular full-featured navigation apps currently is iNavX. This app can be downloaded for free and includes NOAA chart downloads, but advanced features and mapping are available by subscription.

iNavX features excellent offline functionality and an extensive array of free and paid charts, with U.S. and global coverage. Other useful capabilities include AIS overlaid information, either from an onboard AIS system or from a subscription service. There are also advanced weather overlays available, including forecasts and wind and wave information. NMEA data can also be used with one of iNavX’s recommended multiplexers.

The app is quite sophisticated and extremely capable. When subscription features are added, it can do much of what an expensive, high-end multifunction display can, even without cell coverage. It would be a good choice for boaters looking to do some extensive navigation and planning with the app, both within the U.S. and internationally. More information can be found at inavx.com.

KnowWake

Another easy-to-use and feature-rich app is KnowWake. This app provides current weather and tide conditions, as well as a comprehensive list of points of interest, including fuel stops and fuel prices, dock and ramp fees, and more. It even uses your smartphone camera to virtually show you what points of interest are up ahead. This is a feature you will find yourself using quite a lot.

Once you have entered your vessel information, it will create routes and warn of shallow areas. You can find friends who also have KnowWake, share your location, and record and save your trips. This free app offers a lot without requiring in-app purchases. Its approach is simple and intuitive, making it easy to find your way around the app. Learn more at knowwake.com.

BoatUS & SeaTow

Every boater should have some kind of towing coverage, and two of the largest tow companies have excellent free apps to support their members. The Boat Owners Association of the United States (BoatUS) has its BoatUS app where you can get towing assistance sent directly to you. It provides your current latitude and longitude coordinates, along with current weather, tide and sea state conditions.

The app lets you view membership status, and you can even renew your membership directly in the app. If you have your insurance through BoatUS and Geico, it will provide you with all your vessel’s insurance information as well.

SeaTow has its own app that is a scaled-down and simplified version, which easily connects you with tow services. No matter what company you use for towing, their app should be on your phone to make getting help when you need it that much easier. You can find more information for the BoatUS app at boatus.com and SeaTow’s app at seatow.com.

WeatherBug

There are many weather apps, and most are excellent. One free app I find consistently accurate, with great forecasting and weather radar, is WeatherBug. It’s easy-to-use and clearly displays current conditions, hourly forecasts and 10-day forecasts. You can customize the arrangement of the data you want to see, although there are advertisements. It has an excellent lightning alert system and will also warn of severe weather in your area. There is also an option to display live weather cams and radar displays. Of the three weather apps on my phone, this is the one I use most. More information is available at weatherbug.com.

Buoycast

One thing missing from the WeatherBug app is buoy information. For that, I use Buoycast, an app that uses NOAA buoy data and is another great weather and sea-state app. There is a paid pro version, but the standard version provides a lot of information coming from any buoy you select. It also provides weather warnings and the local NOAA marine forecast. With a click on the icon, you have all the information you need to know what conditions will be like on the water. Find more details at buoycast.com