iPad Navigation

June 14, 2017

By: Owen Hurst

When iPads were first made there was likely little to no consideration for their use in personal marine navigation or that a way to protect an iPad from the elements of the open ocean would be necessary. Unprotected, an iPad can fairly easily get damaged around the house. Place it on a boat, exposed to the sun, possibly salty air and of course the fact that you are surrounded by any electronics worst nightmare, water, and the possibility of damage increases exponentially.

Question: Is it possible to mount, protect and charge your iPad during marine navigation.

Answer: Yes, but it often requires some creative thinking and typically purchasing separate accessories for each duty.

Mounting:

Any iPad user knows that seeing the screen outside on a sunny day can present difficulties, even with the brightness dialed all the way up. Seeing all the details on a chart while navigating on a sunny day is still not easy. Mounting your iPad, to the best of your ability, in a shaded location will help with this.

Further, iPads can quickly overheat and automatically shut off in direct sunlight, which of course will likely happen right when you need it the most. Mounting in the right location requires a versatile and trusted mounting system. And there are a number. Here are a few I recommend.

Overboard CanadaOverboard Canada has a waterproof iPad mini case boat mount that can be installed in various ways and has the added benefit of providing full protection in one system, but only for the iPad mini. Overboard Canada also has waterproof cases for all iPads. (Left image)

Scanstrut Rokk Mini

Scanstrut has a solid reputation for marine mounts and the Rokk mini is a versatile mount with the ability to secure your iPad, case or no case. With a wide range of mounting accessories Scanstrut lets you position your iPad just about anywhere on your boat and feel comfortable that it is safely held by the mounts locking mechanism. (Right image)  

Ram Mounts have one system for the iPad mini and another for full size iPads and both can accept devices protected by heavy duty cases. While a durable mount it doesn’t have the same installation flexibility as the above-mentioned products. (Main article image)

If you are looking for a more finished look it is possible to install an iPad directly into the helm. To take this step you either need nerves of steel to make the precision cut-outs in your helm, or the safer option is to find a custom fabrication shop in your area. This option, when done right, looks fantastic and protects and charges you iPad all in one. However, it typically makes your iPad a permanent part of your helm, eliminating the option to use it as a mobile device.

And always remember to consider proximity to metallic and magnetic devices as your iPad is just as susceptible to magnetic variation as any other navigation tool. Therefore, magnetic charging mounts are a no-no for marine navigators.

Protecting:

There is a large market for iPad cases, and a wide variety available at just about any price point. But if you are planning to set sail with your iPad give it the best protection possible.

Lifeproof CaseTop of the list is the Lifeproof case. It is fully waterproof and can protect your iPad from jolts and potential drops during rough water. Lifeproof also makes mounts and a mounting cradle that can be used for marine applications. (Left image)

Armor-X CaseOther comparable cases are made by Catalyst, Antactical, Armor X, Gumdrop and Digital Marine among others. The trick is to make sure the case you choose will fit with the mounting option you select. (Right image, Armor X case)

As mentioned the sun is an issue when on the water, and it is not always possible to mount your iPad in a fully shaded spot. Purchasing an anti-glare (AR) or matte screen protector can help on the bright days. There are a wide range of these screen protectors for sale online and in stores including high quality protectors from companies like 3M and Tech Armor.

NuShield DayvueNuShield also offers a unique Dayvue screen that cancels reflected light rather than scattering it like standard anti-glare screen protectors.(Left image) 

Although iPad backlighting and screen protectors have come a long way, visibility of the screen on a bright day is still more difficult than reading most traditional chartplotters and GPS units.

Charging:

iPad’s have a fairly substantial battery life, but a few hours of navigating with the screen brightness all the way up will quickly bring on the low battery warning.

There are plenty of 12V marine sockets (the old cigarette lighter socket) available that can be installed on top of your console or flush mounted into it. Then it is just a matter of plugging in a 12V iPad charger or getting a 12V USB Plug.

Victory USB ChargerHowever, a more reliable option is to directly wire in a charging cord by using a USB wiring harness or install a USB outlet. There are a variety of styles designed for marine use that can be flush mounted for a clean visual look and often provide multiple USB outlets. I like the look of the Victory AA01433 USB socket with built in volt meter (Right image). A quick Google search will return hundreds of options for these products at a variety of price points.

In conclusion, it is possible to mount, protect and charge your iPad during marine navigation, but by no means can one simply openly mount an iPad like a chartplotter. Your iPad itself is not as durable or easy to see on bright days and requires a little thought before sticking it on your console and casting your lines.

Again, I give thanks to the numerous readers that have submitted question and opinions. In the next installment, we will take a more in depth look at the use of iPads in comparison to traditional chartplotters.

Canadian Yachting recommends that you carry and can use hard copy marine charts in the event of electronic failure.

About the Author

Owen HurstOwen was born and raised in Midland, Ontario on the shores of Georgian Bay. He has been boating and navigating ever since and has experience as a paddling instructor, rescue boat operator, and a passenger vessel operator for Parks Canada. He obtained his Master’s degree from McMaster University and holds SVOP and MedA3 certificates from Transport Canada.

Related Articles

Boat Reviews

  • Prev
Over the years Canadian Yachting has had the pleasure of doing several boat review articles on new ...
When J/Boats set out to make their latest model, their thinking moved away from a boat that you had ...
Wellcraft launched a legacy of offshore boats from Sarasota, Florida more than 60 years ago and ...
The well-known Four Winns brand is now a part of the international boatbuilder Groupe Beneteau and ...
Boats have been in high demand for the past two years and there’s no sign of this easing. ...
When we arranged to interview the designer and manufacturer to write a profile of the X Shore Eelex ...
I am lucky to have the opportunity to helm many types of boats. I am even more lucky to sail boats ...
The weather wasn’t cooperating for our test of the new Fountaine Pajot Isla 40. Rain, storm clouds ...
Last August, we were again invited to the Neptunus Yachts facility in St. Catharines, Ontario to ...
Cruisers Yachts’ 34 GLS is the latest model in the Cruisers Yachts line that includes a dozen ...

Video Gallery

Neptunus 650F

By Andy Adams

Over the years Canadian Yachting has had the pleasure of doing several boat review articles on new Neptunus models and we are familiar with the qualities that Neptunus is famous for. They have all been exceptional yachts, but this is the one I would most want to own myself. It’s a personal choice and a matter of taste as to whether you would prefer to have a sedan express model or a flybridge but in my opinion, the flybridge layout offers some wonderful attributes.

We met with Neptunus Managing Director Jan Willem De Jong this past fall to take the new Neptunus 650F out in Lake Ontario. 

Read More

Destinations

  • Prev
Last summer Waterways TV debuted with host Steve Bull’s tour of Ontario. In this episode Parks ...
I sail on Lake St Clair. Michigan is on one side of the lake, and Ontario is on the other. My ...
The bright summer sun forces its way through magnificent Arbutus trees as I dive off our ...
I was first seduced by the United States Virgin Islands during a ferry ride from St. Thomas to ...
It was the last day of August and we were in Little Current heading south. Our Lasalle winter haul ...
Cowichan Bay is a waterfront village with a row of shops, artisan products, marine supplies and a ...
Instant towns have sprung up in the past, especially on the BC coast. In the late 1850s, Victoria ...
Following the War of 1812, a battle that Canada narrowly won against the United States, the ...
You’ve weathered COVID and you’re ready to book your charter to paradise. You’ve done some ...
If you are looking for an interesting destination for a weekend trip or longer, Quebec City will ...

Sunset off St. John

By Mark Stevens

I was first seduced by the United States Virgin Islands during a ferry ride from St. Thomas to Tortola to begin one of our earliest British Virgin Islands charters nearly twenty years ago.

A perfect sunset off St. John with St. Thomas views for backdrop.

Clearing Pillsbury Sound, surrounded by voluptuous emerald mountains as the ferry sliced through royal blue waters, I was struck by the unspoiled ambiance of St. John, the island gliding past our starboard beam and the irresistible charm of a village called Cruz Bay visible from our quarter stern.

Read More

Lifestyle

  • Prev
POTW fan, Josh Neufeld, modestly sent along these beauties.
Roger Renaud, our Windsor Sailing in Canada correspondent sends along this Photo of the Week ...
Strategist of the Canada SailGP Team and National Sailing Team 49erFX sailor, Georgia ...
Our Photo of the Week comes from AJ Twist in Montreal who was getting away from the off-season in ...
Our Video of the Week comes from Matt Ingram, a reporter at CHCH in Hamilton ON who investigated an ...
Good afternoon. With the possibility that the Kirkfield locks will be closed, we have no choice but ...
Introducing the next graduate in our marine career path series, April Scarlett. A former Ontario ...
Our Photo of the Week this time comes from our CY Team at FLIBS. Perhaps it’s the camera angle or ...
Yes, we are once again going to the dogs, a very popular and always welcome Photo of the Week ...
Last week Antonia and Georgia Lewin-LaFrance from Chester NS were named today Sail Canada’s Rolex ...

Marine Products

  • Prev
Storing, cleaning and maintaining a boat takes time, money and effort. Now the boating public has ...
There is always a lot of action going on at boat shows, but I was a bit startled at the Miami show ...
Few people think about hinges until they begin to corrode and squeak and become difficult to ...
These volumes provide the in depth info you need  from knowledgeable experts to get your boat ...
Televisions on a boat are increasingly commonplace. With the simple-to-install Glomex Avior VT300 ...
With enough brightness to cut through the darkest nights, the Steelcore 1000 Lumen Flashlight has ...
Boating Ontario proudly represents over 500 private & municipal marinas, boat dealerships and ...
Mechanics use sockets instead of individual wrenches because they can complete a project in less ...
Here are some titles that will keep you A-wake (groan). Pike’s long overdue analysis and ...
From cone to cube, the Gobius C from Albin Group Marine precisely measures the exact volume and ...

News

  • Prev
After hitting their podium in their first two events in this, CAN SailGP’s inaugural season, ...
For the first time since the 1980s, access to the British Virgin Islands, a top destination for ...
A premium polishing ablative bottom paint available in several colors designed to go over ...
At the Ontario Regional Boating Advisory Council Meeting held in mid-January, members heard about ...
Serious Fun! The motto of the 43rd St. Maarten Heineken Regatta. Canadian Yachting had the chance ...
Brad Boutilier became a Master Mariner at a young age but, after starting a family, wanted to be ...
Two weekends ago on the Sunday of Australia Sail Grand Prix racing in Sydney, a severe weather ...
For the former tenants of Ontario Place’ 240 slips, this will be a stressful summer searching for ...
More than five decades ago, Mustang Survival began engineering lifesaving solutions that push the ...
Charter company, Dream Yacht Worldwide and luxury catamaran builder, Fountaine Pajot, are ...

Mercury marine V10 OutboardsOn November 15th 2022, Mercury Marine, a division of Brunswick Corporation (NYSE: BC), introduced the industry’s first ever V10 outboard with the official launch of its all-new 5.7L 350 and 400hp Verado® outboard engines.
 
Consistent with the award-winning Verado brand, the new V10 engines are the quietest and smoothest in their class running 45 percent quieter than a leading competitor at cruise. In addition to NVH, the new Verado’s are not only compatible with the latest Mercury SmartCraft® technologies but will also be offered with an optional dual-mode 48V/12V alternator to seamlessly pair with Navico Group’s Fathom® e-power system, an integrated lithium-ion auxiliary power management system, providing boaters the opportunity to eliminate an onboard generator system.

Read More