Smartphone Boating

Did you get a new smartphone over the holidays? If so, you're probably experiencing that sensation all of us smartphone owners experience when we first get our phones: feeling overwhelmed by all of the apps you could or should download. (Which reminds us... make sure to have Facebook, Twitter and Google+ to keep up with us on the go!) But there are also ways to make your phone an effective boating tool as well. Here are four different apps we recommend you download to enhance your boating experience.


First things first: you need to get your boat into the water if you store it on land. That’s where Boat Ramps comes in. This (free!) app allows you to search for ramps near your location, by zip code or by city. Once you’ve chosen a ramp, the app will provide you with directions. The app doesn’t provide, however, information on fees (or lack thereof), restroom facilities or bait shops.



Keep your finger on the pulse of current weather and tide forecasts with the NOAA Buoy and Tide Data app, which accesses data from NOAA’s National Data Buoy Center. You can search for buoys by name or location and view a range of weather data, including wind speed, gusts and pressure. Tide predictions are also included, as are moon phases. The app is very reasonably priced at $1.99.


New and experienced boaters alike can learn from the Boater’s Pocket Reference, an app full of information on U.S. and Canadian navigation rules, tips on boat handling, how to tie marine knots and much more. When your boat is out of the water, you can refer to Boater’s Pocket Reference for information on trailering and regular maintenance. Visual learners will appreciate the variety of charts, graphs and illustrations throughout the app that makes the content extremely easy to understand. While the app isn’t free – in fact, it’s $4.99 – it is highly ranked by iPhone users and includes a search function so you can quickly and easily find the information you need, right when you need it.


If, heaven forbid, something goes wrong on your next voyage, the free Sea Tow app can come to your rescue. You can contact their 24 hour dispatch center through the app, a handy feature if your VHF radio is not working. In addition, the app contains tide and forecast information, and you can save up to seven locations for continued weather monitoring. Finally, the app features a compass and speedometer so you can always pinpoint your location on a map.


What are your favorite boating apps? How has your smart phone enhanced your boating experience, on and/or off the water?