Planning a yacht charter and the actual sailing experience can be simple and enjoyable if you have the right apps at hand. Today, smartphones are an indispensable tool for sailors – they help with navigation, weather forecasting, marina bookings, and even managing your budget.
If you are planning your next maritime adventure, make sure to check out our article, where you'll find the best apps to have on your phone before setting sail. These apps will make your charter simpler, more convenient, and safer!
Flight Planning – Skyscanner and Google Flights
Getting to your charter destination is a key part of the journey. Skyscanner and Google Flights are, in our opinion, the best tools for finding cheap flights and the best connections. One important rule – never book tickets through intermediaries! It's safest to purchase tickets directly from the airline's website to avoid problems if you need to change or cancel your flight.
Navigation – Navionics
Good navigation is a must. Navionics is one of the best marine navigation apps, offering detailed nautical charts, route tracking, and information on depths, obstacles, and marinas. You can plan your route, set waypoints, and monitor your position in real-time. The app is incredibly intuitive and frequently updated, making it an ideal tool for every sailor.
We use Navionics on our voyages, and we can confidently say it performs excellently for both short trips and long passages. It is reliable and ensures that we always have up-to-date navigational data at our fingertips.
Weather – Windy
Every sailor knows that weather can be unpredictable. That's why Windy is an essential app onboard. It provides detailed forecasts for wind, rainfall, temperature, and wave heights. You can switch between different weather models (ECMWF, GFS), which gives you greater confidence that you won't be caught off guard by sudden weather changes.
Windy has helped us avoid unpleasant conditions on the water and adjust our course according to the current forecast. With this app, decision-making becomes much easier.
Anchor Alarm – Anchor Alarm
If you're planning to anchor overnight, it's important to protect yourself from uncontrolled drifting. Anchor Alarm is an app that monitors your yacht's position and notifies you if it starts drifting beyond a set area. This is a great solution that allows you to sleep peacefully and avoid dangerous situations, especially in less sheltered anchorages.
Marina Booking – Navily and MySea
There's nothing worse than arriving at a marina and finding there are no available spots. Navily and MySea are apps that solve this problem. With them, you can check availability, make reservations, and read reviews from other sailors about the marina. You'll also find information about available services such as showers, electricity, or restaurants.
In practice, these apps have saved us multiple times, helping us avoid problems with a lack of space in popular marinas, especially during the season.
Finance Management – Mint
Sailing is not only about beautiful views but also about expenses – marina fees, fuel, provisions, and additional attractions can quickly exceed your planned budget. Mint is an app that helps you track expenses, categorize them, and plan the entire trip's budget. It makes it easier to settle with your crew and gives you full control over finances.
Additional Apps Worth Mentioning
MarineTraffic – Ship Traffic Tracking
This app allows you to see real-time movements of other vessels on the water. It’s especially useful in crowded ports and challenging weather conditions.
OpenCPN – An Alternative to Navionics
For those looking for a free alternative to Navionics, OpenCPN is a great option. It allows for offline chart usage and offers many navigational features.
Sailing is freedom, but proper planning and good apps can make your trip safer and more comfortable. It’s worth having these tools on your phone to enjoy your journey without unnecessary stress.
