# BoatSpeed: Course & Speed — user reviews > 24 indexed App Store user reviews of BoatSpeed by Skipjack Studios, LLC, rated 4.50/5 from 154 ratings. - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/boatspeed-course-and-speed/id1260271235/reviews - App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/boatspeed-course-and-speed/id1260271235.md - Rating breakdown: 5★ 116 · 4★ 16 · 3★ 9 · 2★ 2 · 1★ 11 ## Newest reviews (4 of 24) ### 2/5 — App frequently crashes and does do a good job with outlier datapoints *2023-07-03* I’ve had an overall buggy experience with this app. The app crashes not infrequently and also does a bad job at reporting your GPS speed. I use it while I’m sailing and the GPS speed will frequently drop to zero, or show a much higher value for a second, completely ruining the max speed from having any informational value (I’ll be cruising at 5-6 knots and it will record a momentary max speed of 15 knots). The watch is experience is also horrible, with any notification forcing the app into the background. This makes it useless when I’m single handing my boat without wanting to fiddle around with my watch to relaunch the app after a crash or notification. The heading information offered on the app is often completely wrong. I was originally turned on by the pay once model with this app but the feature set really isn’t there. Save your money and just pay for Waterspeed app and the subscription. ### 3/5 — Good *2023-03-18* Speed readings are “nervous” changing dramatically, sometimes going to zero, and changing rapidly. ### 2/5 — Not that great *2019-08-08* For the price, this app doesn’t deliver. It gives you three simple read outs – boat speed, compass heading, and lat./long. data all available for free on multiple other instruments. Plus the compass is not a rose, it’s just a digital heading read out. **Developer response:** Hi, Thank you for sharing your honest review of the app. I just released a big update for the app that addresses many of your concerns. The update adds a bearing compass, speed chart, the ability to monitor average speed, and a bunch of performance improvements. Please feel free to send me an email at boatspeedapp@gmail.com if you have any other suggestions for the app. -Mike ### 1/5 — Boat Speed *2018-08-20* Just moved from Droid to iPhone and discovered that useful app (SailDroid) on previous device was probably named for the platform it runs on .. imagine my disappointment when I discovered that it isn’t available for the iPhone! So I searched the App Store and selected this “turkey” .. So, now you’re asking why I have described it as a turkey .. so I’ll ask you, how would you characterize an App that displays a varying velocity from 0-2.6 knots while you are sitting stationary on your couch. If I can’t rely on it sitting stationary on shore how can I trust it bobbing out on the ocean blue. I’m going to contact the AppStore and ask for my money back! **Developer response:** I’m very sorry your having trouble viewing a consistent speed in the app. BoatSpeed relies on your iPhone’s GPS chip to show your current speed. When you are indoors on on a couch, your iPhone cannot maintain a good GPS signal and could show a fluctuation in speed even when you are not moving. The speed shown is the app is shown exactly as it is detected by your iPhone. Please know I test and use the app regularly on my boat and in my car and find it to be incredibly accurate when moving consistently. Before requesting a refund I ask you to please try using the app when you are outdoors and moving and let me know if you continue to have trouble. I can always be reached by email at boatspeedapp@gmail.com. ## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated) ### 1/5 — Doesn’t work in background *2024-09-06* Doesn’t work when screen is closed ### 1/5 — Waste of Money *2023-07-03* So much to view a simple compass and speed. Compass is built in the iPhone. ### 1/5 — Waste of money *2023-05-10* Don’t buy it if you plan on trying to troll under 4mph- it will very rarely pick up your speed which effects troll fishing- which is what I bought this app for. Wish I could get a refund. ### 1/5 — Barebones on Apple Watch *2021-12-07* For the pricetag, I expected better implementation on the Apple Watch. I have not found any faces that allow complications from the app. Inconvenient for monitoring speeds while paddling to have to stop paddling to open an app. The free app Waterspeed at least has a widget, but it’s not great either. Disappointed. ### 1/5 — 方向がわからない *2021-08-14* 進む方向を示して欲しい。 ### 1/5 — Disappointed *2021-06-08* Hasn’t registered speeds under 2.3 mph and then it’s very inconsistent. When trolling, speeds often need to be under 2 mph so for that purpose this app has proven itself useless **Developer response:** Hi, I'm sorry you were disappointed with BoatSpeed. The app relies on the data provided by your iPhone's built in GPS to show your current location and speed. Unfortunately when moving under 3 mph or when you have a weak GPS signal the iPhone can report inconsistent information. The majority of our users find that when moving consistently and with a clear view of the sky the app reports accurate and useful information. Please send me an email at boatspeedapp@gmail.com so I can assist you further or provide you with more info on requesting a refund from the App Store. -Mike ### 1/5 — BoatSpeed *2020-08-13* Compass just won’t work. Sometimes correct, but not even close aboard boat. Useless! Apple Store Link to developer support doesn’t work. Apple techs unable to resolve or explain why they can’t fix link. Could have been a little gem of a program. Too bad. Stay away until developer gets back on link. **Developer response:** I’m sorry you ran into issues with the app and contacting support. Please email me at hello@skipjackstudios.com, and I’ll help get this resolved. ### 1/5 — iPhone times out. Not usable *2019-07-15* Don’t spend your $$$. App won’t stay open like other speedometer apps and map apps. App times out to lock screen. **Developer response:** Hi, Thank you for sharing your honest review of the app. To preserve your iPhones battery, BoatSpeed does not interfere with your devices Auto-Lock setting which turns off your screen after a certain amount of time. However, I will look to include a new setting to keep the screen on while the app is open. Please feel free to send me an email at boatspeedapp@gmail.com if you have any other suggestions for the app. -Mike ### 1/5 — Doesn’t work *2019-06-02* Complete scam **Developer response:** Hi, I'm very sorry you are having trouble with BoatSpeed. The app relies on the data provided by your iPhone's built in GPS to show your current location and speed. Please make sure you have a clear view of the sky and are moving consistently. The vast majority of our users find the app reports speed reliably in these conditions. If you continue to have trouble with the app please send me an email at boatspeedapp@gmail.com so I can assist you further or provide you with more info on requesting a refund from the App Store. -Mike ### 1/5 — Boat speed *2018-09-24* No indication if heading info is True or Magnetic. It appears to be True which is fine for plotting and planning purposes but no good for actual navigation. **Developer response:** Hi there, BoatSpeed respects your iPhone’s compass settings. You can choose to enable or disable true north in your iPhone’s settings under Compass -> Use True North. If you have any other questions or suggestions please reach out to me by email at boatspeedapp@gmail.com -Mike ## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated) ### 5/5 — Excellent, useful app *2026-05-30* This is a simple yet very thoughtfully implemented app that I have found very useful on numerous occasions. Highly recommended! ### 5/5 — Sailer *2025-10-02* Very accurate when I compare to metered speedometers ### 5/5 — Very Accurate *2022-08-14* We love this app ### 5/5 — Boat Speed *2022-07-17* Got this 4 years ago (2018) on a Mediterranean cruise and have used it on every cruise since. It is great to know how fast the ship is going an on what course. Works very well on balcony and even in some interior areas of the ship. ### 5/5 — Excellent addition to my boat safety equipment *2021-10-07* I have a mount on my helm for my phone just so I can use the app. I prefer it to the radar and 2 separate garmin units when I want this information. ### 5/5 — Very useful , worth the money 100% *2021-09-18* I bought this app so I can tell how fast my do dingy is going, this app is so great because the number is easy to see on a bright day and there are no ads, I love the night time mode and different speed measurement options like Kph nad mph also. Great app have recommended to multiple friends who are happy as well ### 4/5 — Beautiful and simple app *2025-07-07* Every time I open this app my first reaction is, how beautiful it is. I would love the option to add more contrast and I’m sorry to say a white background with black lettering. ### 4/5 — Excellent but! *2024-04-28* It’s a shame the display can’t be in a horizontal position. In the race yacht there is not enough room for the iPad to be positioned vertical. ### 4/5 — BoatSpeed *2020-10-06* Hi, Is there any chances to have the 2 modes together on one page? ### 4/5 — My review *2018-07-04* This app is awesome but it jumps around a lot --- *Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-09-09.*