With the spring/ summer cruising season approaching, now is the perfect time to plan ahead and get prepared. Smartphones and tablets have become part of everyday life afloat, and there are a wide range of apps designed to aid support safer, easier and more enjoyable boating.
Here is a selection of some of the most useful sailing apps currently available. All can be downloaded from Google Play and the Apple App Store.
Navionics Boating
One of the most popular navigation apps available, Navionics closely mirrors the experience of an onboard chartplotter. It offers detailed charts, tidal data, information on harbours and anchorages, aerial photography and user-generated updates. Route planning can be tailored to your vessel’s draught.
Subscription-based, with a free trial available. www.navionics.com
Navily
Often described as a digital pilot book, Navily provides information on marinas, anchorages, bays and harbours using an easy-to-use map interface. A large and active user community keeps information up to date, particularly in less familiar cruising areas.
A free version is available, with additional features included in the premium subscription.
Savvy Navvy
Often described as a “Google Maps for boaters”, Savvy Navvy is an all-in-one marine navigation app that combines charts, weather, tides and routing into a single, easy-to-use interface. By automatically calculating the safest and most efficient route based on vessel details and real-time conditions, it removes much of the complexity from passage planning, particularly in tidal waters.
A free version is available, with advanced routing, weather overlays and offline charts included in the premium subscription.
savvy-navvy.com
Windy
Often used by sailors, pilots and outdoor professionals, Windy is a powerful weather visualisation platform that brings together multiple forecast models in a highly intuitive, map-based interface. It allows users to explore wind, pressure, rain, waves and other meteorological data over time, making it particularly valuable for understanding changing conditions and planning activities affected by weather.
For UK users, Windy includes access to the high-resolution UKV model supplied by the Met Office, providing detailed short-range forecasts that better capture local coastal and terrain effects.
The core platform is free to use, with additional tools, higher-resolution data and advanced features available via a premium subscription.
PredictWind
Designed specifically for sailors, PredictWind is a powerful weather forecasting and passage-planning tool. Users can compare forecast models and view detailed data including wind, waves, rain, pressure and cloud cover. Subscription options unlock advanced features such as weather routing and tracking. www.predictwind.com
Weather & Radar
This app focuses on live radar imagery, making it particularly useful for tracking rain and thunderstorms in real time. It is a helpful supplement to standard forecast apps, especially during unsettled weather.
A free, ad-supported version is available. www.weatherandradar.com
XC Weather
XC Weather, originally developed for gliders, combines forecasts based on the GFS model with a network of weather stations for real-time wind data across the country. It displays wind history at these sites, and forecasts with wind gust speed on a three-hourly basis.
Actual Met Observations
Weather forecasts are invaluable for planning ahead, but it is equally important to check the actual conditions before leaving the safety of Lymington Harbour. We are fortunate to have access to several high-quality sources of real-time weather data in the local area.
Live monitoring stations provided by RPR are located in and around Lymington, offering up-to-date wind and weather observations that give an accurate picture of conditions at the point of departure. https://weatherfile.com/location?loc_id=GBR00001
To the east of Lymington, Bramblemet is a well-regarded additional source, using observations from Bramble Bank and surrounding stations to provide highly relevant data for vessels operating in the central and eastern Solent. Together, these live observations complement forecast models and support informed, safety-led decision-making before getting underway. www.bramblemet.co.uk.
Tides
Lymington tides can be downloaded from our website https://lymingtonharbour.co.uk
Ankeralarm
Ankeralarm monitors your vessel’s position while at anchor and alerts you if it moves outside a set radius. Paid options include remote alerts by message or email, providing reassurance when ashore. The app also includes an anchorage search feature.
Knots 3D
An interactive and easy-to-use app demonstrating over 190 knots in full 3D. Users can rotate and animate each knot, making it a practical learning tool for sailors of all experience levels.
Used alongside traditional charts, publications and good seamanship, these apps can be valuable tools for anyone heading out on the water this season.
For Harbour Specific guidance you should always check the local website, for local notice to marinas and rules. Here in Lymington we have a wealth of information on the website on Safety and Navigation.