Seven Seaworthy Weather Apps for the Water Life

Jonathan Timianko

— 4 min read
Seven Seaworthy Weather Apps for the Water Life

From fishing reports, navigation and tides to gas docks, boat slips for rent, public ramps and marinas, the boating world is high up there on the mobile app radar. For brevity purposes, we’re going to focus on the weather aspect of the mobile device today.

The weather can change in an instant. One minute everything’s calm and clear and the next, it’s rough and everyone on board is battling seasickness. Why not take advantage of technology for your boating and sailing needs? We’ve picked out some of the best boating apps for wind, tides, forecasting and general weather info to download to your smartphone or tablet before you leave a private boat dock rental.

BoatUS – Boat Weather and Tides

undefined

Photo: BoatUS (Screenshot)

The BoatUS weather app offers a slew of information such as forecasts, hurricane alerts, current tides and small craft advisories. You can select tide and buoy stations for a customized experience and check out five-day forecasts for your destination. If your boat insurance is through Geico/BoatUS, you can even manage details such as payments and claims right in the app. Our favorite thing about the BoatUS weather app? You can request a tow and assistance anytime you need it.

  • Price: Free

WeatherBug

undefined

Photo: WeatherBug (Screenshot)

Along with the traditional weather data, WeatherBug gives information on pollen levels. If you’re a sinus sufferer, this is a handy feature to have. There are maps for wind and lightning as well as hourly to 10-day forecasting.

  • Price: Free (with in-app purchases)

FishWeather

undefined

Photo: FishWeather (Screenshot)

While its name implies anglers will love it (and they do), FishWeather is very handy with the weather as well. It has wind speed predictions and detailed wind maps that show wind strength and direction (on color-coded wind charts). The one to three-days-out wind forecasts are surprisingly accurate, which comes in handy for planning the perfect fishing trip from a boat lift for rent. The basic version of the app offers a boatload of free data.

  • Price: Free (with some paying features such as current charts and real-time Nowcast observations)

PredictWind

undefined

Photo: PredictWind (Screenshot)

PredictWind offers accurate wind forecasts and high-resolution forecast maps for sailing or kayaking. You’ll be able to check out live wind information from around the world right from your private boat slip rental. There are two apps for forecasting wind (inshore/coastal sailing and offshore sailing). The inshore app works with Wi-Fi and the offshore one allows you to download data via a satellite connection or SSB connection.

  • Price: Free (with in-app purchases)

U.S. Coast Guard Mobile App

undefined

Photo: U.S. Coast Guard (Screenshot)

You can always trust the U.S. Coast Guard, and the app is no exception. It offers in-depth and detailed safety information for recreational and commercial boaters. Get weather updates from NOAA and report pollution, hazards and suspicious activity. Additional features include charts, checklists and float plan templates.

  • Price: Free

undefined

Photo: Navionics Boating (Screenshot)

Navionics Boating has maritime charts that allow you to use your mobile device as a chart plotter. You’ll stay updated with weather forecasts for every part of the journey. A three-day wind forecast, hourly tide changes, high and low tide times, changes in currents and an overlay of daily moon phases and sunrise and sunset. Know what’s going on in the sky before cruising away from a boat dock for rent during the day or at night.

  • Price: Free limited time use and then subscription based

Clime: My Radar NOAA Weather Radar Live

undefined

Photo: NOAA Weather Radar (Screenshot)

My Radar NOAA Weather Radar Live features real-time weather updates and predicted forecasts. You can receive emergency weather alerts about hurricanes and dangerous conditions and get accurate information, detailed wind animation and temperature shading.

  • Price: Free (with in-app purchase)

We hope you’ve found some helpful apps to stay safe and informed while boating. Whether you’re traversing the Great Loop, cruising to the Bahamas from Florida or just motoring around the local lake, it’s crucial to know what’s going on with the weather before you leave the dock or private boat slip rental. Let us know which ones you like best!

Read more