Best Boating Apps

For better or worse, none of us would even think of leaving the house without our phone, much less heading out for a day on the boat without it. So if you’re carrying it anyway, make the most of your smartphone or tablet with these five awesome boating apps.

1. C-Map Embark

C-Map Embark

C-Map has been one of the top names in digital navigation charts for years, so it’s no surprise its all-new Embark app is one of the best. Features like high-resolution bathymetry charts make the most of your device’s high-resolution screen to show what lies under the boat in tremendous detail, so you can avoid reefs or shoals and stay in nice clear water when navigating unknown areas. You can also check the latest marine weather forecast, plot waypoints and routes, check out points of interests around your destination or take notes with a personal history including places, routes and tracks.

• Price: Free basic version with in-app purchases for advanced data and capabilities.
• iOS
• Google Play

2. iNavX

iNavX

iNavX bills itself as the most versatile chartplotter on your phone or tablet with its ability to work with a wide range of charts from different sources, including Navionics, Blue Latitude, Explorer, Waterway Guide, NV Charts and Soltenick. It comes with high resolution NOAA RNC raster United States marine charts pre=loaded, including the West Coast, Gulf Coast, East Coast, Great Lakes, Alaska, Hawaii, and US Virgin Islands. It can overlay weather details, connect with NMEA-compatible instruments on your boat via Wi-Fi.

• Price: $4.99 for Apple plus in-app purchases; free for Android’s basic version, $19.99/year for the enhanced Pro version.
• iOS
• Google Play

3. Nebo

Nebo

Nebo is an easy-to-use boat logging app that makes it easy to record and share your boating experiences. Its automated voyage logging function can record detailed boat logs including weather observations and photos, while generating a daily boat log emailed to your account, making it a cinch to share voyage details and updates with family and friends. Monthly tracking records can also help keep track of maintenance items and monitor operating costs.

• Price: Free
• iOS
• Google Play

4. United States Coast Guard

USCG

No one knows boating like the US Coast Guard, and their boating app is a must-have for any serious skipper. Features include state boating information, a safety equipment checklist, free boating safety check requests, navigation rules, float plans, and calling features to report pollution or suspicious activity. When location services are enabled, users can receive the latest weather reports from the closest National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration weather buoys as well as report the location of a hazard on the water. The app even features an Emergency Assistance button which, with locations services enabled, will call the closest Coast Guard command center.

• Price: Free
• iOS
• Google Play

5. RaftUp

RaftUp

RaftUp is a social app that makes it easy to plan and organize gatherings on the water. The intuitive app allows users to find local raft-ups, boat ramps, fishing spots, dive locations and more, each with local weather and tide info. Sharing photos, videos and posts about boating activity is quick and easy, and there’s a SMART-SOS function that makes it quick and easy to alert local users or friended app users when you need help.

• Price: Free
• iOS
• Google Play