By Kurt Hartlieb and Drew Seymour
There is some great technology available in the boating industry that can make your experience on the water much easier and more enjoyable. Today, most new boats include the latest tech to enhance your boating experience. While many boaters will shy away from tech while others embrace it, the truth is that it is here to stay, and it is always evolving. Whether it is one of our master mechanics diagnosing an engine issue with a laptop, or uploading the latest software version to a Garmin electronics suite, we use tech tools every day.
Apps on a phone or tablet are another way technology can help us out on the water. A question we often get asked is what our favorite boating apps are. Here is a list of some of our team’s personal favorites:
Marine Traffic: This app allows you to see any boat equipped with AIS. When you spot a ship on the horizon, you can use the Marine Traffic app to see where it is headed and where it has been, along with pictures and specs. This app is a must for anyone who enjoys tracking their favorite ships and yachts.
Fusion Link: Imagine your kids are napping in the bow, but you want to still want music on the swim platform. Now imagine being able to adjust the volume of different zones while sitting on the swim platform with your feet in the water. The Fusion Link app gives you full control of your Fusion stereo system from your smart phone. This handy app is also where you’ll find the latest software updates to keep your stereo running and sounding great. This is highly recommended for any new Tiara, Sea Ray, Chris Craft or Regal owner with a Fusion stereo.
Windy: This is a great app for getting both current and future wind speed data. You have the option to choose between NOAA or European model forecasts. You’ll find that this app is equally useful for checking wind speeds on Lake Michigan as it is for tracking hurricanes in the Gulf of Mexico.
Active Captain App: This free app creates a powerful connection between your smart device & Garmin chart plotter, charts, maps & the boating community. The app is compatible with the Garmin Navionics+ or Garmin Navionics Vision+ subscriptions. Plus, it downloads daily updates & provides premium content to get the most out of the technology while on the water.
Navionics mobile app: This is an up-to-date detailed chart plotting app that allows boaters to plot courses automatically, or manually. Users have the ability to choose the best routes possible for a trip, to record tracks for fishing, or mark points of interest. All of this can be done from the convenience of your home or office with the use of a smartphone, tablet or computer. Being able to access harbor information, launch ramps, contour lines & ETA’s for a desired outcome are just a few of the great features of the app. Given the amount of information that Navionics provides boaters, the small annual fee is worthwhile. This app is even more capable now thanks to the parent company Garmin & Active Captain. Information can be uploaded to your Garmin helm screens.
Vessel View Mobile App: Mercury offers a great alternative to updating or adding analog gauges on your current boat that may not have a full gauge cluster. A simple plug & play module works on 2004 or newer outboards 40 hp & up as well as sterndrive models. Get accurate engine information such as fuel usage, engine temp, battery life or RPM’s right on your smartphone or tablet.
