Navigation "simulator" programs?

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bark-eater

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Aug 15, 2026
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west coast of Delmarva
Are there any Navigation programs that I can use as a navigation simulator?

I'd like to be able to do route planning and navigation on paper NOAA charts and "test" my work with a navigation program that uses current and wind modeling.

I'm running ios right now.

I don't need a chart plotter, but something that I could create custom charts with would be great.

Thanks, Woody
 
Perhaps Savvy Navvy would work
www.savvy-navvy.com

Boat Navigation App: Maps, GPS & Marine Charts | Savvy Navvy

Savvy Navvy marine navigation app is Google Maps for boats. Charts, tides, weather, and everything you need for sailing and motorboat navigation in one place!
www.savvy-navvy.com www.savvy-navvy.com

They have a free version with somewhat limited functionality. If you do decide to get tge paid version, I hsve a discount code I can provide.
 
Peter-CKM said:
Perhaps Savvy Navvy would work
www.savvy-navvy.com

Boat Navigation App: Maps, GPS & Marine Charts | Savvy Navvy

Savvy Navvy marine navigation app is Google Maps for boats. Charts, tides, weather, and everything you need for sailing and motorboat navigation in one place!
www.savvy-navvy.com www.savvy-navvy.com

They have a free version with somewhat limited functionality. If you do decide to get tge paid version, I hsve a discount code I can provide.
Click to expand...
I took a look at this last night and got sent directly to the full subscription page, so I tried again and got to the free version. I'll check it out. Thanks

P.S Preliminary results are interesting. It routed my "kayak" with 1' (?) draft into the active shipping channel....
 
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bark-eater said:
It routed my "kayak" with 1' (?) draft into the active shipping channel
Click to expand...
Kayak navigation is a whole different animal than power- or sailboat navigation. The few times I've asked powerboaters for "local knowledge" navigation, the advice I've gotten has been all but useless. We just have a totally different set of needs than they do. The distances we can cover are so much shorter, and we are so much more vulnerable to currents and wind. On the other hand, we can land on beaches that would be suicidal for them, and we can slip through shallow waters, narrow channels, and dense rock gardens that they don't consider navigable. I suspect any navigation app designed for powerboaters would start blaring alarm klaxons if you fed it a typical course for a sea kayak trip!

Alex
 
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