Ask Andrew: A Boater’s APPetite

Feb 13, 2025

I think I last prepared a printed an emailed invoice over 10 years ago. Email has replaced paper mailings, almost exclusively. Technology is evolving quickly, and the evolution of social media and apps has allowed companies to push their technology out to the masses. Gone are the days of waiting for a boater to arrive at a website: social media algorithms are hard at work trying to let you know what’s new and what – based on your searches, views and preferences – you should know about or have for your next boating adventure.

The noise can become a bit unbearable, though. On my social media feed, I’m pushed everything from high-priced Multi-function Displays to discount imported fenders from China (that I don’t need).

This is where I love the App Store: Rather than being pushed the tools that suppliers think I need – I can choose the tools that will work for me, and the way that I want to use them.

For this week’s edition, I am curating a small list for you to think about next time you’re cruising the app store, to prepare for the 2025 boating season.

There are six broad app-types that I feel every boater should take advantage of, wherever possible. I’ve listed a few of my favourites but I encourage you to explore and find the right app that fits with your lifestyle, boat, and application.

1) A navigation app can be a great alternative to a hard-wired multi-function display. Numerous styles of mounts are available to set-up a phone or an iPad at the helm. This can also be an important back-up tool and can even be a great off-board (or laying-in-a-berth) planning tool. I prefer more traditional (authorized) chart, so I use a Navionics boating app. There are a number of more modern looks and styles, that will allow great crowdsourcing and navigation features without the clutter of a traditional chart. If this is more your style, try the Wavve Boating app (yes, two V’s)

2) Weather can be the difference between a great day or a miserable one. A quality weather app will allow you to plan your day, and plan around changes. I use The Weather Network to give me a broad look at the day and then use a wind-specific app (like Windly) to gauge wind direction and speed for the areas that I’m navigating through.

3) Vessel monitoring apps are a recent explosion in the market, with players like BRNKL and Siren. A system is hardwired into the boat and can allow the user to utilize a phone-based app to monitor battery state, shore power connection, bilge water state, security (doors and windows), and can even allow for digital switching (turning a battery switch on and off), ignition override, Vessel location, digital anchoring and geofencing. A great way to have eyes on your boat, when you’re nowhere in sight.

4) With our lives becoming more and more busy and cluttered, staying on top of vessel maintenance is no mean feat. Try digitizing your maintenance needs: allowing you to harness manufacturer’s maintenance schedules, order parts online, connect with a dealer or marina, or a mobile marine tech.

The future will hold some interesting developments in this sphere: the ability to connect with a technician virtually via FaceTime, and Tesla-like maintenance features, where the engine will send a digital reminder to your preferred marina who will order parts and even schedule work for you.

5) Many manufacturers have their own apps to allow simple connectivity to devices like power-pole shallow-water anchors, battery chargers, ignition systems, trim tabs, ballast systems and multi-function displays. It’s a great idea to take stock of the systems you have aboard and see if there is an app available – or to choose your next system based on the app functionality, and if this fits your boating lifestyle.

6) Not all of us are lucky enough to own our own boat – so taking advantage of boat-sharing or boat rental clubs, via their apps, may allow you to easily get on the water. International boat sharing programs like Skipperi, Freedom Boat Club and Carefree Boat Club have been exploring app functionality including the ability to reserve vessels, and to check-in and check-out from your rental via the smart phone. Even if you aren’t a member of these programs, some of these apps have great crowd-sourcing maps and features that allow you to see where and how people are boating in their areas of operations. Day operations (like personal watercraft rentals) are also utilizing the ease of apps to find rental locations and to book a trip.

Andrew McDonald is the owner of Lakeside Marine Services – a boat repair/maintenance firm based in Toronto. Andrew has worked in the marine industry for 12 years and is a graduate of the Georgian College ‘Mechanical Techniques – Marine Engine Mechanic’ program. Questions or comments for Andrew? Email him directly via:   info@lakesidemarineservices.ca