Electronic Navigation

using a Tablet

IntroductionA few years ago I had the pleasure of

skippering a charter yacht in the Caribbean.

Before flying out there I downloaded the

Navionics navigation app to my iPhone 4 in

order to plan some of the sailing beforehand.

The yacht had it’s chart plotter down below

at the chart table so I started using the

iPhone for much of the navigation whilst on

deck and found it very user-friendly.

Despite its small size I could look at the

overall route as well as zoom in to our

destination anchorages.

Hardware

Most of us have a tablet or smartphone

which is capable of using navigational

apps.

However to use a tablet such as an I

pad on a boat it is advisable to use a

protective cover which is water

resistant.

In my case I use an I-Pad mini with a

Survivor protector.

This has worked well over many

thousands of miles of yacht delivery

passages.

Downloading the App.

To download the app go to the App

Store or, if you have an android

device Google play and search for

Navionics.

You will see a screen similar to the

one on the right.

Scroll to the region where you go

boating click on the price and

follow the download and install

instructions.

The cost will be about $60 which is

much cheaper than the cost of any

chart plotter cards

Using the Navionics

App

A screen similar to the one on

the right will come up.

Click on the OK button and a

marine map screen will show.

Screen FunctionsDistance and Course

Course to next

waypoint

Zoom In

Zoom Out

Distance and Course

Course to Destination

SOG & COG

Search for Local Info

Camera

Chart Type & Map

Options

Find Ship

Pinch Screen to Zoom

Drag to Move

Distance Measurer

Cross Hairs

Just tap on the Screen where you want

some information.

The cross hairs will appear.

Drag the map so that the cross hairs

are in the required position

Then click on the ? icon.

You will see 4 icons

Distance, Magazine, Weather and

Marker

Distance :Measures the distance from

your position.

Magazine: Gives useful facilities.

Weather: Tidal and Wind info.

Marker : Puts a pin at the position.

Setting up a Route

Tap the Route button and select Manual

Route.

Zoom into the area of the first waypoint

position.

Tap and hold your finger on the first

position until a blue dot appears.

The position can be adjusted by holding

a finger on the blue dot and moving it

accordingly.

Adding Waypoints

Goto the next way point position and

hold a finger on the chart until a blue

dot appears.

A line will be drawn between this way

point and the last one.

Always check that the route goes

through safe navigable water with

the chart zoomed in to show all

hazard details.

Then continue adding waypoints by

dragging the chart in the required

direction.

Here is an example of a leg

between two waypoints which

crosses into shallow water and is

therefore not safe.

Below we show how a waypoints

has been added to make the route

safe.

Continue adding waypoints until

reaching the destination.

Checking the Route

Zoom in to the destination.

Make the last waypoint at a known navigation mark that can be easily

identified on the water and in sight of the marina or anchorage.

The table on the left gives details of each leg and times if a planned boat

speed has been set.

Destination

Carefully review each leg of the route by

zooming in and ensuring that it is clear of

any navigational hazards.

Give the route a name usually the start and

then the destination.

Then press the start button when you want to

use it.

As you follow the route your position will show

as a red arrow and the route details will

update as you pass each waypoint.

Finalising the Route