Tutorials

The map and layers

Add only what you need, and learn what each layer shows.

Add a layer

Tap Layers, then turn on what you want. Any combination works, except that Depth and Bathymetry replace each other. When you open the app again, it goes back to just Marks and Fleet.

The Add to the map panel, listing depth, bathymetry, wind, current, waves, rain, temperature, official chart, marks and fleet.

While a layer is on, a key explains what you're seeing. It shows which time you're looking at, and it hides while the Layers panel or a spot is open.

Wind

The arrow points where the wind is blowing, and the number is knots. The color shows the strength: white is under 10, pale amber is 10 to 14, orange is 15 to 19, and red is 20 and up.

Wind markers across the San Juan Islands, with arrows and speeds in knots.

Current

The arrow points where the water is going, with its speed. Under 0.2 knots it says Slack.

Current markers across the San Juan Islands.

Depth

The water is tinted darker where it's deeper, and the key gives the depths in feet. It comes from NOAA's elevation model, so it isn't a chart.

The water tinted by depth, darker where it is deeper.

Bathymetry

The sea floor as if the water were gone, with contour lines and depth numbers. Zoom in for closer contours, from every 500 ft down to every 50 ft. These numbers are always in feet.

The sea floor in relief, with contours and depth numbers.

Waves

The latest height at the nearest wave buoys. There aren't many buoys, so you may need to zoom out to see one. This always shows the latest reading, even if you've picked a later time.

A wave height marker on the map.

Rain and temperature

The chance of rain as a percentage, and the air temperature, for the hour you're looking at.

Chance of rain markers across the map.
Air temperature markers across the map.

Official chart

NOAA's chart symbols, including buoys and soundings, drawn over the map. It's useful, but it's not a replacement for a current official chart.

NOAA chart symbols drawn over the map.

Charted rocks, wrecks and obstructions always show once you zoom in, whatever layers you have on.

Marks and fleet

These two start on. Marks shows photo pins for other boaters' posts. Fleet shows the boats you're sailing with. Turn them off for a plainer map. See Marks and posts and Sail with a fleet.

Common problems

A layer shows nothing.

Zoom out, because stations and buoys can be spread out, and check your connection. Tide, current and wave data depend on stations near you, and Canadian waters don't have NOAA tides or currents.

My layers went away.

Layers reset to Marks and Fleet each time the app opens.

Next: Any spot and the hours ahead