TRADEABOAT.COM.AU | 27
FEATURE | BEST BOATING APPS
Elsewhere, challenging monopolies (like
Apple) and cartels (like the big four in marine
electronics: Garmin, Navico, Raymarine and
Furuno) are leading initiatives like Open
Systems and languages such as Signal K, which
are collaborative technologies benefiting all
stakeholders. However, the big four marine
electronics companies also have apps of various
kinds that mirror capabilities to your phone, so
check which suits your on-board gear.
ESSENTIAL APPS
Essential apps for the regular boater include
navigation, weather and marine information.
Given the accuracy of GPS on late model
phones, apps like anchor watch and AIS are
other useful smarts. However, if the phone is
your only navigation tool (not advisable) it's a
good idea to use a plug-in GPS such as the X,
to enhance the accuracy and signal strength. For
navigation, I trust Navionics which I've used
around the world and around Australia (from the
Arafura Sea to the edges of the Southern Ocean
at Port Davey).
I get crucial weather information from the
excellent BOM app and and for local marine
waters around Australia, Willy Weather is
accurate.
For those with large touchscreen phones,
free GRIB information from the BOM Meteye
(www.bom.gov.au/australia/meteye) is another
regular source. Sites like these have helped me
greatly over the years during recreational boating
and when working as a charter skipper on
Sydney Harbour to ensure guestsenjoyed their
trips, rather than endure them!