Best Apps for Boaters

Apps can improve almost any area of our lives—and the marine world is no exception! Boating apps can make your life easier and better in a variety of ways. We've gathered up our favorite tools below. If you have any questions or want to look at boats for sale, visit Richardson's Boat Yard. We proudly serve those in Portland, Windham, and Standish, Maine.

A GPS App

One of the most useful marine apps is a GPS, which tells you where you are and how to get to your destination. There are plenty of great options available, but one of the most popular marine GPS apps is Navionics Boating. You'll get access to free marine and lake charts and can choose to buy auto-routing and other charting tools. Use this app to always know your location and chart your ideal path.

Knot-Tying Tutorials

The boating life brings with it the need to tie knots. But no one is born a knot-tying natural. You'll need to spend time learning various rigging knots for sailing and boating—and Animated Knots is a great resource. It provides frame-by-frame animations. This allows you to learn at your own pace. You can wait until you fully understand and accomplish the first step before moving on to the next one. It's useful for beginners who are learning how to tie knots as well as old pros who want to brush up on their knowledge. To get the app, you'll need to pay $5.

Marina Finding

Sometimes you want to take a long boat ride and dock for the afternoon or overnight. But it can be challenging trying to find the right location. You could research all possible options on your computer before you leave. You could gamble that your phone's data plan will allow for seamless loading of websites out on the water. Or you can download Dockwa. This simple app allows you to view nearby marinas and request a slip or mooring from their website. Once you get approved by the marina, you'll be able to pay for the rental through the app for extra convenience.

Digital Logbook

There are plenty of key pieces of information you will want to track regarding your marine lifestyle. But it can be hard finding the right system. Paper logbooks and journals can get easily damaged on the boat (or forgotten on the shore). Notes on your cell phone can work, but they can quickly get disorganized and cluttered.

A better solution is Boating Suite. This suite provides you with six apps in one package (with a low price of $5). You'll be able to easily keep track of everything you need. This includes maintenance and fuel costs, repairs you make, the number of trips you've taken, where you've traveled, and what you want to buy next.

Weather and Safety

The U.S. Coast Guard mobile app is an essential one to download. It provides you with local weather conditions so you can know whether it's safe to head out on the water. It gives you up-to-date information from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration buoys. You'll also be able to request free safety checks for your boat, report obstacles you find, and get navigation tips.

We hope you found this list helpful! For all your marine needs, visit Richardson's Boat Yard. If you are looking to buy, check out our wide range of boats for sale. If your boat is experiencing issues, visit our parts replacement and service department. If you need somewhere to keep your boat, look into our storage options. Whatever you need, you'll find it with us! We proudly serve those in Portland, Windham, and Standish, Maine.