Sailing: Best android apps (5)

After reviewing half a dozen versions of apps presently available on the Android Market we've made a list of the best ones for you

1. Memory-Map (http://sailing.about.com)

Free trial version, full-featured navigating version $19.98. Offers far more navigation information than any other app. For many serious sailros, the best app now available.

Key features:

* Download free NOAA raster charts one at a time or by other means
* Raster charts show full information the same as paper charts (unlike vector charts)
* Shows boat's moving position on chart (on GPS-enabled devices), optional track
* When panning and zooming, seamless transition to adjoining charts and between small- and large-scale charts
* Easily create and edit waypoints and routes
* Go to waypoints, follow a route - useful navigation functions
* Chart screen stays clear of buttons and distracting data until you want it

*Options to show different chart overlays: waypoints, routes, track logs
* Navigation panel provides a wealth of information including speed (present, average, maximum), present heading (and bearing when navigating), present position in long/lat, time (moving time, ETA waypoint time), distances (traveled, to go to waypoint), and even cross-track error data and velocity made good (VMG) to waypoint

The Downside:

* If you need a large number of charts (such as a whole region), it can be tedious to find and download each one at a time; on the other hand, you won't fill your device's storage area as quickly as with some other apps.
* Help screens available only when online
* Chart view is chart-up only (usually north-up) - would be nice to have heading-up option
* No functions for tides, currents, weather (use another app)

2. Windfinder (http://theappwhisperer.com)

Wind, waves & weather worldwide for kitesurfers, windsurfers, surfers, sailors and paragliders
* forecasts for 15000+ spots
* observations from 4000+ weather stations
* configurable favorites, measuring units
„Windfinder“ is free, with ads. „Windfinder Pro“ is not free, without ads and with Superforecast (hourly time steps)

 

3. Tides & Currents (http://sailing.about.com)

The Tides & Currents free app from FlyToMap does pretty much just that - gives you the tides and currents for stations all over the world. But it does it well and conveniently in an attractive visual format that is also useful, once you've added your location into your favorites. Best of all, it stores its downloaded data so that you don't have to be online when checking the tide. Some apps, like Marine Weather (from Bluefin for both Apple and Android), do not provide this data unless you have connectivity, which can often be a problem on the water.

Version reviewed: 1.1.8 for Android tablet (running Android 2.3.4) - free

Key Features

Presents tides and currents in both graphic (present values shown against the daily sine wave) and tabular format.
Data for 14,000 tide and current stations all around the world - can be selected from a listing of nearby stations (if your device has GPS) or an alphabetic listing or word search.
Save desired location in Favorites for easy future use.
Sun and moon rise and set times also provided for the chosen location.
Settings allow you to receive tides in either feet or meters and currents in either knots or meters per second.
Limitations

Several other apps provide other information such as weather data or conditions as well as tides - but Tides & Currents does only this one thing, so you'll likely want to have several marine apps.
Tidal and current values are apparently forecast by a calculation - may not precisely match other tide tables (see Conclusions below).

 

4. Racing rules of sailing (http://theappwhisperer.com)

Educational materials to learn the rules of regatta. 55 tests about the Rules of Course with answers and explanations by Ezio Fonda, Umpire and National Judge of Italian Sailing Federation. This application is write for Android with display resolution bigger than 240×360 – Version Lite 9 tests.

5. Yachts and Tall Ships (http://theappwhisperer.com)

Tall ships, super yachts, catamarans, sailboats, cruise boats and events.
Detailed information for 700+ detailed sailing vessels, all major ports around the world, events and schedules, famous buildings, points of interests and more...
Istanbul Shop & Miles Boat Show 2010
Rolex Middle Sea Race
Euronaval 2010
The Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show
Hanseboot 51st International Boat Show