The best apps and programmes for sailors - your digital helper at sea
C-Map – High-precision navigation
C-Map is one of the best-known and most professional navigation apps for sailors. This app offers detailed nautical charts that are regularly updated and is suitable for both leisure and commercial shipping. C-Map impresses with precise depth contours, information on harbours and tides as well as important safety warnings.
Particularly practical: you can plan routes in advance and transfer them to your GPS system or chart plotter. C-Map also works offline, so you are not dependent on a stable internet connection – a decisive advantage if you are travelling to remote waters. The app is available in a free basic version, but a paid subscription is required for extended functions.
Conclusion: C-Map is an indispensable tool for every sailor when it comes to precise navigation and detailed map visualisation.
MarineTraffic – The eye at sea
MarineTraffic is the perfect app for keeping an eye on shipping traffic in your area. With the help of AIS data (Automatic Identification System), MarineTraffic shows you the position of ships in real time. Whether commercial shipping or leisure yachts – with this app you can track the course, speed and destinations of other ships. This is particularly important if you are travelling in busy areas and want to avoid collisions.
In addition to the current position of ships, MarineTraffic also provides weather forecasts and harbour information. If you are regularly travelling the world’s oceans, you can even set up an alarm to notify you when certain ships are approaching your location.
Conclusion: MarineTraffic is ideal for always knowing who is travelling with you at sea and offers you valuable additional information for safe navigation.
Orca – Intelligent navigation for your pocket
Orca is a relatively new app that has been developed especially for sailors who prefer modern, smart navigation. The app offers a complete navigation solution that you can use on both smartphones and tablets. It combines the functions of a chart plotter with weather data and real-time updates.
What makes Orca special is its user-friendly interface and smart route planning. The app automatically suggests the safest and fastest routes based on the current weather conditions and tides. You also receive warnings if dangerous weather conditions are approaching or if you are on a collision course with another ship.
Another highlight is that you can seamlessly save your entire trip documentation – from GPS data to route plans – and synchronise it with other devices.
Conclusion: Orca is an innovative and user-friendly app that is particularly suitable for sailors who love smart technology.
Logbook – Your digital ship’s logbook
Every experienced sailor knows how important a properly kept logbook is. With the Logbook app, you can record all your important information digitally and always have it to hand. The application allows you to easily document the distance travelled, speed, weather conditions, wind force and many other relevant data.
Particularly practical: the app offers various templates that you can customise to suit your needs. Whether day trips or long-term journeys – Logbook helps you to document your sailing trips precisely. You can also add notes and pictures to record the trip in even more detail.
Conclusion: With Logbook you always have your ship’s logbook to hand – paperless and organised!
Windy – Precise weather forecasts for sailors
Weather information is essential for sailors, and Windy is one of the best apps when it comes to getting accurate weather data. The app not only offers classic forecasts, but also special weather maps that show wind conditions, wave heights and rain probabilities.
Windy is extremely clear and very intuitive to use. You can compare different forecast models and receive information that is tailored to your position and planned route. The app is free and also has many useful functions offline, which makes it particularly valuable on long sailing trips without mobile phone reception.
Conclusion: Windy is an indispensable weather app that protects you from unpleasant surprises at sea.Windy – Precise weather forecasts for sailors.
Navionics – The classic for nautical charts
Navionics is one of the best-known apps for electronic nautical charts and is considered by many to be the standard in the sailing world. This app provides you with highly accurate charts that are updated regularly. The option to plan your route on your tablet or smartphone and then transfer it directly to your GPS device is particularly practical.
In addition to the maps, Navionics offers a community function where users can share their experiences and information about harbours, anchorages and danger spots. This function is particularly useful if you are exploring new waters and want to benefit from the experiences of other sailors.
Conclusion: Navionics remains the classic among nautical chart apps – and for good reason.
SailGrib WR – Weather routing for ambitious sailors
SailGrib WR is an app that is particularly suitable for long-distance sailors. It combines weather forecasts with routing functions so that you can plan your best route based on the current conditions. The app uses Grib files to show you detailed weather data such as wind strength, swell and currents. The special feature of SailGrib WR is the ability to simulate different scenarios – so you can plan your route under optimal conditions.
The app also supports route optimisation based on your boat type, making it a particularly valuable tool for long-distance sailing. For ambitious sailors who want to cover long distances, SailGrib WR is an excellent choice.
Conclusion: Perfect for anyone who wants to plan their sailing trip precisely and efficiently with weather routing.
iNavX – The versatile chart plotter
iNavX is one of the most versatile and comprehensive navigation apps for sailors. It offers access to a wide range of nautical charts, including charts from Navionics, C-MAP and NOAA. You can plan your routes directly in the app, track GPS data and call up important information on harbours, anchorages and danger spots.
A particular advantage of iNavX is the ability to integrate AIS data in real time, so that you can see not only your own position, but also that of other ships in your vicinity. For sailors who use different chart providers or have special navigation requirements, iNavX is a flexible and powerful solution.
Conclusion: iNavX offers a comprehensive and flexible chartplotter solution for demanding sailors.
Anchor Pro – The anchor alarm
Anchor Pro is an app that helps you to anchor safely. The app uses GPS data to determine whether your anchor is holding well or whether your boat has strayed too far from the original anchorage. You can define a safety zone around your anchor, and if your boat leaves this area, you will be notified immediately.
For sailors who often anchor in unfamiliar bays or choppy waters, Anchor Pro is an indispensable tool to ensure that the boat remains safe even in changing conditions.
Conclusion: Anchor Pro gives you the certainty that your anchor will hold securely, no matter what waters you find yourself in.
PredictWind – Precise wind forecasts worldwide
PredictWind is an app that specialises in wind forecasts. It offers various forecast models that are specially tailored to sailors. The interactive weather map function is particularly useful, allowing you to visualise wind currents, gusts and weather fronts. This means you always have the best information to hand to adapt your route according to the wind conditions.
For long-distance sailors, there is also an offshore mode that allows you to receive weather data via satellite. PredictWind offers both free and paid features, depending on the accuracy and forecast data you need.
Conclusion: PredictWind is ideal for sailors who rely on accurate wind forecasts and want to plan their route accordingly.
Unsere Zusammenfassung
Mit den richtigen Apps und Programmen wird Segeln nicht nur sicherer, sondern auch entspannter. Ob Navigations-Tools wie C-Map und Orca, Tracking-Dienste wie MarineTraffic oder digitale Logbücher – mit diesen Helfern bist Du auf jeder Route bestens ausgestattet. Pack Dein Smartphone ein und lass Dich von der Technik unterstützen, während Du den Wind und das Meer genießt!
