The Prudent Mariner...

[Boatagain]

...never relies on a single navigation aid. I remember reading that in Chapman's many years ago and it has stuck with me.
So, I've got paper charts to cover my expected cruising ground in case my Garmin chartplotter goes down, but com'on! Paper! Who uses paper anything these days?

I'd like to use my iPad as a backup chartplotter while underway, and also to plan cruises while at home. I've searched the forum and found some suggestions, but many of them are several years old, absolutely eons in today's tech world. Can anyone recommend a current app for this purpose? I am not extraordinarily tech- savvy, but I can click and swipe.

Thanks!

 

[Brian B]

We had our Garmin system fail recently. I have the Charts and Tides app on my Ipad that has an internal GPS. I purchased the U.S. Charts for the app. Great features such as route planning etc. I was using it along with the Garmin to get accustomed to it and then when the Garmin failed I was very comfortable navigating with it.
You are very prudent to have a back up device. I don't leave the dock without my Ipad now.

 

[walldog]

My Navionics App on my iPad runs side by side with my Garmin Chartplotter. We also have Garmin App, but the Navionics is our choice for the iPad as it is a different set of charts, so we have two opinions and redundant systems. We also have paper...but

 

[knotflying]

I use Garmin mobile blue charts on my iPad. The functions and display are similar to the 5212. I actually put my routes on the iPad and use the 5212 with the destination as a single waypoint to get approximate time to destination.you can tie the iPad into the Garmin, but I prefer them to be separate for redundancy.

 

[Barry Cohen]

My IPad is wifi only, so I am using the Garmin Blue Chart app along with the Bad Elf GPS plug-in device.

 

[Levitation]

For local sailing near shore and for doodling along the IC, the failure of an electronic chart is a minor inconvenience. A tale to regale the group over sundowners. So a single MFD is more than adequate.

Well, until you lose it in thick mist on Charlotte Harbor - no nav and no depth finder - at which point I bumped my way back (literally) to the dock. Which is why I now have two MFD on the boat (and a chart) . . . . :mrgreen:
The biggest thing you need when reverting to paper is a working depth sounder. Even a $100 portable unit for fishing from a dinghy will do in a pinch.

 

[gerlots]

I use Rose Point's, Coastal Explorer along with my old 3210 Garmin. It uses free NOAA charts as well as C-Maps.

 

[HRowland]

I use iNavX on my WiFi iPad mini. Once purchased you can download NOAA raster charts which are scanned version of the paper charts. As you cruise iNavX automatically loads the appropriate chart. NOAA recently improved the resolution of the charts which iNavX picked up automatically. You can update the charts before each trip, NOAA updates the raster charts frequently.
I selected iNavX because I like the look of paper charts (an old habit from my flying days) and it works very well on the iPad. I previously used it on a first gen WiFi iPad and it worked well. I also like an independent chart source for a second point of view, while Garmin Blue Chart Mobile is very nice, you are using the same cartography as your backup/alternate chartplotter.
I use a Bluetooth GPS puck with the iPad Mini (and previously with my iPad). I have the Dual Electronics XGPS150.
iNavX also support routes, waypoints, can display internet based AIS, and can display NMEA data (including locally received AIS) if you have a NMEA->WiFi adapter.
I use Garmin HomePort on my Windows laptop for trip planning, I can then load the route into my Garmin 5212 via SD card. I also export the route from HomePort as a gpx file that can be loaded into iNavX so my iPad displays the same route.

Howard