Boatie User Reviews

Name: Boatie
Rating: 4.6 (891 reviews)

Boatie

MSSW Solutions Ltd

🗺️ Navigation

☀️ Weather

Top reviews

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Great app with a contactable human for support

I have used this app for years thru my sailing and now motor boating days. It has so much information for passage planning and everyday life on or around the water. But what I really appreciate is that when changes are made you get a non technical explanation and if you have a problem you get a quick response from a guy who actually cares about his app and your experience.

Dartfizz

3 months ago

Unable to access after paying for subscription

I previously had this app on an old iPad and just started a new subscription on my new ish iPhone 13. I managed to register for the new subscription and have paid the annual fee however the app keeps hanging at the opening screen and I am completely unable to access the app. I have uninstalled and reinstalled three times and am completely unable to access. I don’t know what has happened and I am very sad because this app used to be great. I also can’t find a way to request a refund, v frustrating.

Boatie review

2 years ago

Response from developer

Hi. I checked and can't see any requests for support from you. What you are experiencing certainly is not typical and I'm sure I can help you out. Please contact me at support@msswsolutions.com This is a much faster way to resolve issues than through a review as they can take quite a long time to get through to me. Best regards

Probably the most valuable app for any lover of the sea…

Most of us leave our Reed’s Almanac on our boats. This app is invaluable for planning everything (including weather forecasts and tidal predictions) you need when away from our boats. It’s also run by a real person who is actually interested in suggestions. Cannot recommend it more highly…

Havenmeister

2 years ago

Fantastic app!

A superb app for anyone on or who lives by the sea that just keeps getting better and better with more information and features being added with each release. Highly recommended…

JML617

2 years ago

Brilliant, simple to use, comprehensive features

Great library, tidal curves, tidal streams, weather, even waypoint tracking which allows you to store multiple routes (folders of waypoints) to navigate with later. Useful for storing racing marks or routes. Distance and bearing to next waypoint. A unique and simple app in an otherwise crowded space of navigation apps. Nice to see this app being continuously improved by the developer. Really nice to see VMG/C ! Thank you! 😁

j3224p

3 years ago

Response from developer

Thanks so much for the positive feedback. It's very much appreciated. I'm always happy to receive suggestions for improvements and new features so please feel free to contact me directly through support@msswsolutions.com as well.

Boatie

I don’t normally write reviews, but this is an exception, I have used this app since conception, and have been keen to let the developer know of any problems I had, he always replied with recommendations. This is the best and most practical marine app I have had the pleasure to use, I recommend it to all yachtsmen.

QWERTY2467

3 years ago

Top notch tech support

When I first downloaded Boatie, each time I selected a port, the app would crash and have to be deleted and re-installed before it could be re-opened. After repeating this process several times, I contacted support - Stuart responded, out of hours, within 30 minutes.

Following Stuart’s advice, the issue was swiftly resolved (my iOS required an update), and I was able to explore Boatie.

The app provides a wealth of useful, relevant, well-presented information in an accessible format. £9.99 for a year is a tiny price to pay to kiss goodby to secondary port and tidal height calculations.

I look forward to using Boatie while cruising the South Coast this summer.

Shorinjikan

3 years ago

Boatie - 10yrs use of my favourite goto App for sailing

Long term user. First downloaded it while on a YM course. It’s an excellent curated mini almanac plus live wx & tidal data updates. It puts a lot of key status and real-time data at your fingertips. Excellent for passage planning & when underway. The latest v5.x release has been a welcome refresh as the app had begun to age out. I’ve had great support from the developer over the years & while I’d like something for free the ongoing app maintenance is important to me. I know that depends on keeping alignment with other cloud services so no info service fails at a key moment. So I consider the new annual subscription good value. 10 out of 10!

Tron_7654

3 years ago

Subscription nag screen

When the newer version came out I bought a subscription.

The app doesn’t recognise this and fails to load, presenting the subscription nag screen.

I’ve used this app for years on and off but it’s never been reliable and therefore isn’t a go to app. I don’t use it onboard.

Kgfsfihfwtgyiu

4 years ago

Response from developer

Sorry you seem to be having an issue. This is certainly not a typical experience. As with any app in the App Store, the purchasing process is not entirely within Boatie's control. It's not possible to provide proper support through App Reviews given the long turnaround between messages (it's taken 48 hours for this to reach me). Please contact me at support@msswsolutions.com and I'll be able to help sort it out for you.

Great App

This is my most used app, even better and clearer now it has been re vamped, it just gets better! The interactive tidal flow add on is great for passage planning, the daily weather is the most accurate of any I’ve tried, you have the convenience of inshore forecasts for your area, and of course tidal curves. It now has the facility to set a standard port that you want and isn’t just Portsmouth as it used to be, very handy, saves a lot of mental juggling. All in all a must have app, well designed and a great price! Go for it😁

Mr Polo.

4 years ago

Good app let down by trickery

It was a great app, but don’t update it! The developers have decided to be underhanded, which really puts me off using it. They write, and I quote directly, that there are “only bug fixes” in the update, but once updated, you can no longer use the app you have purchased for a one-off fee previously unless you pay regular subscription fees. Neither will it apply or restore purchases you have already spent in good faith. The developers justify this with an unconvincing attempt at sympathy and a rather droll happy face emoji. I would have been happy to pay a subscription for this app, but I don’t like to feel taken advantage of. Just be upfront in the first place. Bad show all around - quite disheartening.

Cptnhappy

4 years ago

Response from developer

Thank you for editing your review to remove the unwarranted accusations of lies and trickery. As the name suggests, the release notes are to highlight changes from the previous release - and in the case you mention, between 5.2.0 and 5.2.1. The change to being a subscription app happened with 5.0.0 which was 13 releases and over 3 months ago. However, the full history is on the App Store, on the web site and summarised on the launch screen of the new app - which also, in recognition of customers who already had the old version, offers heavily discounted subscriptions to ease the transitions into the new commercial model. There is nothing underhand about this - it is normal software release practice - you are not being ‘taken advantage of’ The costs of providing the service, updates and support have inevitably increased over the past 13 years and Introducing a subscription has become necessary to ensure that Boatie continues to exist for current and new customers. The version 4 app and supporting services you originally purchased a license to use have been withdrawn - there is no choice to remain using that legacy version because even if you deliberately failed to update the app on your device, it would no longer work properly (and shortly not at all as the legacy supporting services are being decommissioned - this is not in my control - I do not own them). All I'm trying to do is produce the best sailing app I can, cover the costs of production and make a basic living. I’m sorry you think the realities of the costs of production are ‘unconvincing’ - that is your opinion, but doesn’t change the fact of what it costs me to provide the service. What is disheartening is the unthinking rush to judgement coming from people who just assume everyone in the world is out to con you out of money and leaving a review based on that rather then the content and utility of the app itself. The largest full price subscription at this time costs less than a pint of beer a year, and for that you get a fully updated app ready for the latest Apple devices, new features, increased geographical and data coverage and responsive support - all things the v4 app did not have. If you are interested in a more detailed discussion you could reach out to me directly (boatie@msswsolutions.com)

Now a subscription service

The latest update turns Boatie into a subscription service- I was unsure whether to pay again or delete. The developer offered me a reduced fee for the first year so I decided to continue using and review the situation again next year. This is a useful app with a decent amount of handy information in one place- I would rather pay a small fee than be bombarded with unwanted ads all the time. If you spend time on the water or live near the sea you will find Boatie helpful in a number of ways- five stars for information, the verdict on value is pending!
Update 7th October 2022
The verdict on value is now determined- five stars and a subscription I will renew next year. Useful information clearly presented- thanks

Musicjimbob

4 years ago

Charts

Hi just subscribed it’s been a while I didn’t yacht-masters 15 years or so ago. I’m planning on rowing around the Isle of Wight a second time this weekend I did it a few weeks back with navionics. Bit this app appeared so much cheaper and fantastic reviews. My question is are there any actual charts for plotting course on or do you have to add your weypoint from a paper chart. Sorry probably missing something really obvious out here. Massive thanks Jacob

Jacob 1977

4 years ago

Paid for the app and was happy

I have been a customer for Boatie, having purchased it via the AppStore. I was happy with what I had purchased, but then out of nowhere the app gets an update and the developers want me to start paying a subscription for something I have already paid for. They then tell us that we must find the receipt for what we paid and provide it to them for a discount on the first years subscription.
The app I paid for did what I wanted it to do, and now they want me to pay to use a new app t try hat was forced upon me.
What an absolute rip off. I would like the option to go back to the previous version and use what I have paid for already.

Hopefully the developers read this and make that possible.

dazzer229

4 years ago

Response from developer

It is no longer possible to revert to the previous version. Due to the age and legacy technology used it was increasingly unstable and unusable for many customers. I also understand the change to a subscription may be unwelcome, however the costs of providing the service, updates and support have inevitably increased over the past 13 years and Introducing a subscription has become necessary to ensure that Boatie continues to exist for current and new customers. In recognition of long term users like yourself, we have been mindful to ensure that discounts are available to help ease the transition to the new commercial model, and if for some reason these were not offered to you and you are interested in continuing to use Boatie in the future, please send an email to boatie@msswsolutions.com and I'll sort it out for you. All the best and happy sailing

TonyG

I am puzzled by the negative reviews for the latest update. I have just updated mine on two iPads and my iPhone and it works perfectly. This is a first class application which as a professional skipper I use as a compact source of information (with others) when passage planning. I wish it was called something more in keeping with its serious value.

ABNM21

4 years ago

Great that the app is being supported again!

Always a great app but suffered from poor support for quite a while. Good and competent support has recently been reinstated. Many bugs fixed and enhancements included in the latest release of Boatie and it appears that iOS 16 is being actively debugged.

rrttedffffg

4 years ago

Excellent app

If you go out on the water this app will be a great source of information. I have had the app for many years now, one of the only apps I paid for and would be lost without it. Every now and again it does seem to not open which can last a day or two but it always seems to come back in the end. I would pay for it again if I had two. With out a doubt my favourite app.

Halford 111

4 years ago

Very useful

I’ve had the Boatie app for 10 years. I do a lot of yachting along the south coast, where I find it very useful with a good accuracy. I like the fact you can also pull up the inshore forecast as well. The library comes in handy as a teaching ad to show new crew details.

Rich P 2

5 years ago

Really useful app, but occasionally stops working

Boatie is a really great app for tide times & giving bearings to waypoints, such as yacht racing marks.

I would have given it 5 stars as it is an app I use very regularly, but occasionally the app seems to go through phases where it crashes on opening. It does this on all my devices and for multiple users, so seems to be a system problem.

Really glad to see it is working again.

Chi - Anon

5 years ago

Ho-hum!

Not as great as some claim. Insufficient data. A little disappointing.

Warped Flywheel

6 years ago