Smart Phone, Smart Boater

In this era of smartphones, it seems like there is nothing you can't do on your phone. Call someone? Of course. Email someone? Check. Post a picture to Facebook of your latest boating adventure? Yep. Find local ramps, check the weather and review boating regulations? Of course! Check out these 4 apps meant to make your boating experience easier - and better.

No matter if you're new to boating or you grew up on a boat, you can learn from the Boater’s Pocket Reference. This app is chock full of information, including U.S. and Canadian navigation rules, tips on boat handling, how to tie marine knots and more. Even if your boat is out of the water, you can still find relevant info in Boater’s Pocket Reference on trailering and regular maintenance. If you like seeing things to understand them, younwill appreciate the variety of charts, graphs and illustrations used in the app. 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 when you need it.


If the weather.com app isn't cutting it, keep up with 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. (Weather.com has nothing on this!) Tide predictions and moon phases are in there as well. The app is $1.99.


Your Whaler is unsinkable, but unfortunately, your engine isn't unbreakable. If you get stuck, use the free Sea Tow app. You can contact Sea Tow's 24 hour dispatch center through the app, a handy feature if your VHF radio is on the fritz. 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.


But before you can use any of these apps, you need to get your boat into the water. 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 to get there. Unfortunately, this app doesn’t provide more information about ramps, like fees, restroom facilities or bait shops.

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