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The Best Marine Weather Apps for Boating
After spending two years living on the water aboard our trawler, PIVOT, we quickly learned the best marine weather apps for boating. Since our lives were driven by the weather, it was important for us to learn and understand the weather because it was crucial to our comfort and success on the water. Understanding how our boat would react in various weather conditions was pivotal to our enjoyment out on the water. With the rise of smartphone technology, marine weather apps have become essential tools for sailors, recreational boaters, and loopers alike. We explore the best marine weather apps, highlighting their features, strengths, weaknesses, and affordability. Lastly, we share the apps we use daily and what we look for.
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1. Windy
What it Shares: Windy stands out for its comprehensive weather data visualization. Users can access real-time wind, waves, and weather forecasts globally. The visually appealing interactive map displays information, making it easy for users to interpret. Windy is one of the best marine weather apps for boating and is frequently used by many boaters, full-time cruisers, and loopers.
Strengths: Windy provides high-resolution forecasts and features a user-friendly interface. The app’s strength lies in its ability to offer detailed wind and weather information for boaters.
Weaknesses: While Windy offers a wealth of information, some users might find its interface overwhelming. Additionally, it may not be the most suitable option for beginners.
Price: Free with optional in-app purchases.
2. NOAA Weather Radar Live (CLIME)
What it Shares: As the official app of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), this app provides reliable weather forecasts, including radar imagery, severe weather alerts, and marine conditions.
Strengths: NOAA Weather Radar Live is known for its accuracy and authoritative data. It’s an excellent choice for those prioritizing reliability in marine weather information.
Weaknesses: The app’s user interface might be considered less intuitive than other options and may lack some advanced features in specialized marine weather apps for boaters.
Price: Free with optional in-app purchases.
3. Buoyweather
What it Shares: Buoyweather focuses on marine weather forecasts, providing detailed information on wind, waves, and sea surface temperature. The app is particularly popular among sailors and offshore boaters.
The images below are of Buoy Station 42036 – WEST TAMPA, often used for the Florida Gulf Crossing.
Strengths: Buoyweather’s strength lies in its specialized marine data. The app offers high-resolution forecasts and is tailored for users prioritizing accurate sea conditions.
Weaknesses: The app’s interface may not be as intuitive as some users would prefer, and the free version limits forecast access.
Price: Free with optional in-app purchases.
4. MyRadar
What it Shares: MyRadar is a versatile weather app that includes marine weather features. Users can access real-time radar imagery, wind speed, and precipitation forecasts.
Strengths: MyRadar’s interactive radar maps are a standout feature. The app is visually appealing and provides a quick overview of current weather conditions.
Weaknesses: While MyRadar offers marine weather information, it may not have the depth of specialized marine weather apps.
Price: Free with optional in-app purchases.
5. PocketGrib
What it Shares: PocketGrib is a compact app that provides GRIB file-based weather forecasts. It’s designed for sailors and boaters who prefer downloading specific weather data files.
Strengths: PocketGrib is lightweight and efficient, catering to users who want a quick and straightforward way to access GRIB files for detailed weather forecasts. This app is great for people who want detailed data.
Weaknesses: The app’s simplicity may be limiting for users who prefer a more feature-rich experience. Additionally, understanding and utilizing GRIB files may require some technical knowledge.
Price: One-time purchase of $5.99.
6. Predict Wind
What it Shares: PredictWind is designed for sailors, offering weather routing, wind, and wave forecasts. The app helps sailors plan the most efficient routes based on weather conditions.
Strengths: PredictWind excels in providing weather routing functionality, making it a go-to choice for sailors. The app’s detailed weather information helps optimize sailing routes for efficiency. The paid subscription can overlay your route with wind models, making it particularly useful for passage planning.
Weaknesses: The app’s interface may be complex for beginners, and some features require a subscription, making it less budget-friendly.
Price: Free with optional in-app purchases.
7. Chris Parker Weather Forecasts
What it Shares: Chris Parker’s Marine Weather provides specialized marine weather forecasts from the Marine Weather Center. Users can access essential information such as wind speed, direction, and wave height tailored for boaters.
Strengths: Chris Parker’s expertise in marine weather forecasting is a significant strength. The app delivers accurate and personalized weather information, making it a reliable choice for boaters. Boaters, full-time cruisers, and sailors often use Chris Parker’s weather forecasts if they’re planning on making the Gulf Crossing from Florida to the Bahamas.
Weaknesses: The app may lack some of the advanced features found in other marine weather apps, catering more to those who seek Chris Parker’s specialized insights.
Price: There are several options, but the lowest starts at $59.
Check out the Marine Weather Center here.
8. Windy.app
What it Shares: While not solely a weather app, Windy.app provides real-time weather information along with additional features such as route planning. Users can access wind, waves, and weather forecasts globally.
Strengths: Windy.app is valuable for boaters who want both weather information and route planning. The app’s global coverage and user-friendly interface make it a versatile choice.
Weaknesses: The weather features are secondary to route planning, so users seeking in-depth weather data might prefer dedicated marine weather apps.
Price: Free with optional in-app purchases. Annual cost is $59/year or $4.90/month or pay once for lifetime access at $149.
Weather Apps We Actually Use
During the 2.5 years we lived aboard our boat PIVOT, we used several marine weather apps for boating in conjunction with one another. We used Windy.app, Predict Wind, My Radar, and Buoy Weather. Windy.app was our go-to for daily wind and weather forecasts. Predict Wind was our go to for 10 day forecasts. We used My Radar when we it rained and storms were passing through to see the live radar. Lastly, we used Buoy Weather for the Chesapeake Bay, Delaware Bay, New Jersey coast, Lake Michigan, and the Florida Big Bend.
Choosing the right marine weather app depends on individual preferences and specific needs. Whether you’re a sailor, recreational boater, full-time cruiser, or looper, there’s an app tailored to provide the weather information you require. From the comprehensive visualization of Windy to the radar features of MyRadar and the authoritative data from NOAA Weather Radar Live (Clime), each app has its strengths and weaknesses. Consider your priorities, level of expertise, and budget when selecting the best marine weather app to ensure your boating experiences are both safe and enjoyable.
We hope this list of the best marine weather apps for boating was beneficial to you. The ups, downs, and everything in between, we share it all. If you like what you see, there are many ways to show your support and say thanks! The simplist way to support our work is by commenting on this post, liking and sharing our content on Facebook, and pining our content on Pinterest. It’s a small way to say thank you that goes a long way!
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The ups, downs, and everything in between, we share it all. If you like what you see, there are lots of ways to show your support and say thanks! The easiest way to support our work is by commenting on this post, liking and sharing our content on Facebook, and pinning our content on Pinterest. It’s a small way to say thank you that goes a long way!
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One response to “The Best Marine Weather Apps for Boating”
Great article guys! On our loop, we used the same apps Windy, Predict Wind, MyRadar, Buoy Weather and we also used NOAA, Weather Network, Marine Weather and TIDES (when applicable). Especially for any big crossings we’d check multiple sources for consistency.
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