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We want charts that show sensible levels of detail as we zoom in and out and, critically, will warn us when we need to zoom in more to see dangers that might have been hidden by vector charts. Having spoken to a range of sailors, it’s clear that the universal requirement is for an app that delivers fast, reliable data within an intuitive interface. Wind, tide and current have little impact in these scenarios beyond whether it is sunny or the anchorage is accessible. They are focused on short day trips under engine or maybe going fishing to fairly well known areas. Thereafter, to my mind, most of these apps have been developed with the leisure powerboater in mind. Every app we tested has that core functionality and, ultimately, you will get good basic use out of any of them. The absolute number one benefit of an app is the ability to instantly see where you are, on up-to-date charts, without the cost and immobility of an MFD. We looked at the most popular navigation apps, particularly from a sailor’s perspective, and highlighted what we think works well for yachting and what is best left to the motorboaters. We need to know what the wind direction will be and whether it’s going to be an angle we can use, over and above nearby places of interest. It’s nice to know if it’s going to be sunny, but we care more about whether the tide will be foul or fair. Sailors need slightly different information to motorboaters. It’s great to have this navigation information so easily to hand and so mobile, but which are the best navigation apps for sailors and how do they compare. It’s increasingly rare these days to see any sailor without at least one navigation application on their phone, while tablets are even preferred to fixed multifunction displays (MFDs) on an increasing number of yachts.