Savvy Navvy

Savvy Navvy – Navigation App

This evening I had the chance to attend a presentation from Savvy Navvy aimed directly at Instructors.  It is an app I’ve been using for some time but the presentation revealed a few few hints and tips.   I will always love paper navigation for the overview it gives and the ability to fully prepare in advance.  However, on the go, for familiar trips, Savvy Navvy is my go to app.  I use it in the UK most days but also found it amazingly helpful out in Australia last year.

First and foremost when you log into the app make sure you input your boat settings.  The app takes these into account when planning routes.  It is also worth noting that you can download charts for use at a later time if signal might be an issue.  These can be updated when next used to take into account current weather or chart changes.

Moving around the screen, on the right had side there are options for ‘North Up’ or ‘Heading Up’.  Personally I prefer North Up as it helps relate what you are seeing on screen to that planned on a paper chart.  You can also have a 2D or 3D image.  The 3D is particularly helpful when entering a port.

We then move onto the various layers or presentation of chart types.  There is the default image as presented above or a dark mode.  It then gets more interesting with UK relief and satellite imagery.  The relief shading useful for depths and the satellite imagery useful for an overview of a new destination.   In any mode a post or buoy can be clicked on to obtain its light characteristics and information.

Chart details

This include adding tide and/or tide calculations, AIS and clouds and rain radar.   The AIS is a relatively new function that I’ve been playing with the last few weeks.   It has been really useful not only identifying boats but distance to the craft.  On route back from Lymington last week, a glance at AIS showed there was a dive boat ahead of us – useful information to give them a wide berth.

Along the bottom of the screen there are options to look at tide or weather for locations as you scroll around an area.  There is the option to swap between forecasting models of GFS or ECMWF.   The tidal data sources are currently being updated and should provide more comprehensive data shortly.   There is also the option to view the users saved routes, ‘markers’/waypoints and tracks.  It was quite cool to log into my tracks and look at my trip around Middle Harbour in Sydney last year!

Plotting a route:

To plot a route the user selects the Plan option along the bottom of the screen.  Tapping the screen with a starting point and finish point the app will calculate the best route taking into account the conditions and boat settings.   Then plotting route will display the route showing a yellow line for routes under power and a blue line for those under sail. Plot route will display a course to steer and ground track.  The scheduling tool is a useful feature that not only allows to plan for an alternative day but also allows you to view the route, anticipated time and weather if the trip is delayed.  This allow you to compare timings to find the most efficient options.

Saved points are a nice feature to   keep waypoints and allow you to navigate directly to them.

Finally, there is the option to search for an anchorage, marina or destination.   A click on the destination will reveal further information such as facilities, phone numbers etc.  In this example I searched for Poole Quay Boat Haven.

Hopefully this was a useful quick run through of the useful features.  In the interests of full disclosure, Savvy Navvy do provide the app to Instructors to demonstrate to their students.  However, they have not asked me to write this article and have had no influence over it.  I genuinely use the app regularly and find the clean view helpful.   Over the last few weeks I’ve been loving the updates to the AIS features and now I’ve discovered the location information for destinations I’m busy investigating that too.  I do use electronic apps – I’d be crazy not to, but I always use this in conjunction with a paper chart for new routes and question the information given to me, cross referencing it with other sources.

For information on pricing etc visit: www.savvy-navvy.com