# RYA Books — user reviews > 37 indexed App Store user reviews of RYA Books by Royal Yachting Association, rated 4.00/5 from 1 ratings. - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/rya-books/id451481707/reviews - App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/rya-books/id451481707.md - Rating breakdown: 5★ 0 · 4★ 1 · 3★ 0 · 2★ 0 · 1★ 0 ## Newest reviews (15 of 37) ### 2/5 — Book update bug outstanding *2021-07-22, version 16.11.2* The content and app are great, it would be 5 stars apart from the already noted update bug. This is tedious. You can guarantee that when you want to look something up quickly and you are in patchy coverage it will want to update. Say no and the app crashes, say yes and the update crashes. Delete the app, reinstall and re-download all content… This is a serious bug for an app that invites £100’s of purchases for use in areas where coverage is poor: ### 1/5 — Completely broken *2020-07-27, version 16.11.2* As of today the 27th July 2020, the app was unable to restore purchases and the one re-download that I could initiate failed due to an XML error. The application itself is probably the most primitive I’ve yet ecountered. Clumsy unintuitive and aesthetically poor design. Needs a major overhaul. ### 2/5 — Updating bug - long term issue! *2020-07-15, version 16.11.2* Always crashes when books are updated - have to delete app to remove error and reinstall - this is a real pain as it has to download all my owned book just to get the updated one. This bug has been notified for at least 18 months and the developer has done nothing to fix it. ### 1/5 — Waste of time and money and no response from the RYA *2020-04-07, version 16.11.2* After buying six of there online books I have to say they are completely useless. Constant downloads of new version that never seem to work, also EG77 fault code keep on coming up time and time again. Still can’t login so updates obviously aren’t fixing the problem. ### 1/5 — Useless *2019-08-22, version 16.11* Log in button doesn’t work, so I cannot access my books. This makes the app and all purchases completely useless! ———————- The developers have obviously been hard at work because the app no longer crashed and isn’t as buggy. The one big flaw is why the prices of eBooks are equally as expensive as the paper copies. ### 1/5 — Absolute disappointment *2016-02-11, version 14.1* After signing up to the online/correspondence yacht master navigation course I received a flyer for the offshore ebook which sounded like a good read. 2 days after ordering and 4 emails later I remain unable to download it because (as rya support responds) 'Unfortunately we have just become aware of a problem today which is why you're getting these problems. We are working on a solution.' Luckily though when I asked for a refund they replied that they would be out of the office for the next 4 days. Perhaps they have gone sailing? Still haven't got my money back. ### 1/5 — Couldn't be worse *2015-07-01, version 13.8* Randomly "logs me out" and refuses to give me access to the purchased book. The only remedy is to "log in", for which you need an internet connection. Not much use if you are, for example, ON A BOAT ! ### 1/5 — RYA Books App *2014-08-26, version 9.1.1* As an RYA member I was looking forward to the use of this app. However, it is very unstable and frequently crashing. It is 'clunky' and not very user friendly. Re-loading already purchased books is an issue as, unless logged-in, there is no functionality to upload them. And logging-in itself is problematic with frequent messages that the 'server in not available' . I have tried the help desk but, as yet, no response. Come on RYA, you do a great job elsewhere on safety so get your App up to the same standard. ### 1/5 — Unstable *2013-09-04, version 7.12* I tried to download the catalogue but the app keeps crashing every time I try to open it. Pretty rubbish. ### 1/5 — Lost all books I purchased! *2012-10-28, version 7.7* Also, app was great until I updated. Now I have lost everything I purchased and nothing I try brings them back except the free tasters. Please fix it? ### 1/5 — Crash gastric *2012-09-16, version 7.7* Was great till the latest update after which the books I had downloaded were deleted and every time I try to open it it crashes.... Please sort it out ### 2/5 — A start but a long way to go *2012-04-01, version 7.0.1* I had no problem with crashing (iPhone 4S) but, as others have noted, it's presently very thin, and also does not look very good on the iPhone (I wonder, does it actually work much better on an iPad?). It is a start and let's hope they put a wider range of, better designed, material on this app. ### 3/5 — Ok, but... *2012-03-15, version 7.0* It seems a good app but since the latest iOS update it just crashes on launch. ### 1/5 — Rya books! *2011-12-26, version 5.0* Rubbish ### 2/5 — Hmmmmm.... *2011-12-03, version 5.0* There are not enough books, and the app is not very good. Could have been a great idea, but very dissapointing. ## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated) ### 1/5 — Lost purchase *2026-07-25, version 17.30* Lost all purchases - I won’t be buying the same books over again - very poor ### 1/5 — It should be so easy *2025-05-07, version 17.23* And it absolutely isn’t. The app fails at the first step, not allowing me to log in, telling me that the log-in details and password are incorrect despite sending me the password, I didn’t even have to make up my own password, moments before. As a result I can not access the books that I have paid for. I have spent far too much time trying to resolve this with the RYA. My conclusion is that app is a waste of time, I will not recommend it to any students when I am instructing. ### 1/5 — The RYA should be better than this *2023-06-30, version 16.14* I am a RYA member and have been for a number of years . I have had trouble with app in the past . Also buy via Apple and not the content is not available elsewhere . Now updated books/ new versions make the old ones not available on my iPad .. A brand such as the RYA should hold better standards than this app provides I regret not purchasing printed material and feel hard done by. ### 1/5 — Hopeless - app won’t even download *2023-04-15, version 16.14* Trying to get my VHF ebook - never come across such complicated instructions in my life and now th app won’t even download. Frustrated greatly understates how I feel. ### 1/5 — Can’t login *2023-01-11, version 16.11.4* This app needs updating ASAP. It doesn’t allow me to login, and I can’t reset my password either. I have an e-book redemption voucher which I can’t get access to. Not a great experience. ### 1/5 — Book update bug *2022-11-28, version 16.11.4* Unstable app, when a book update is available I am unable to access the old version or update due to some xml error. Only option is to remove app and reinstall. Save yourself the effort and buy paper books! ### 1/5 — Lost all purchases! *2022-11-06, version 16.11.4* I’ve gone back into the app after buying over half a dozen books in the past and I can’t access them anymore! It’s asking for a sign in which I don’t have! Never had! So I’ve lost 100’s of ££’s worth of books! 😡 ### 1/5 — Convoluted, complex, incomprehensible *2022-04-30, version 16.11.4* The most convoluted, unworkable palaver I have ever come across to purchase and open an ebook. Completely unresponsive. ### 1/5 — App is happy to take the money but not provide the content *2022-03-25, version 16.11.4* I purchased the VHF handbook. The funds were taken but the app says I own nothing. Now I’ll need to raise it as a fraudulent transaction which is hassle I do not need! ### 1/5 — Can’t even login in *2022-03-21* Tried the app on 2 devices after trying to use the windows app. iPad app can’t open the login screen. Same on my iphone. Windows app cant connect to the internet despite firewall settings being open for it. Not a fan. ## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated) ### 5/5 — Did what it said on the wrapper *2021-02-08, version 16.11.2* Downloaded app, then my 6 purchased titles, all working as expected (on an iPad Pro). Hopefully will not encounter problems when updating or adding more titles. ### 5/5 — RYA review *2013-01-06, version 7.9* I do windsurfing and I am 10. I got this because I love my hobby and I thought it might help me. When I found some books you had to pay for I was a little sad but then I found a perfect free one. I downloaded it but soon found it was more adult language than child language. I am hoping a child friendly app like this will come along but I give this five stars because its any sailors best friend and very handy. I ended up deleting it but I really didn't want to , but I couldn't understand it because there was no point having it. A fantastic app if you are an adult but not much use if you are 10! I hope a simpler version will come out but I would recommend to a friend who's not 10 ! I love windsurfing and bye bye ### 5/5 — Excellent windsurf course in your hand. *2012-05-02, version 7.3* All the material of the book, with the addition of video which brings the moves & timings to life. This is an advanced course you can follow retaining the language & structure of the basics taught on most courses. The content doesn't take up too much memory either. The only downside is that every (& too frequent) update wipes all your stored content and loses purchase status. A real pain. ### 5/5 — 21st century RYA *2011-09-16, version 4.0* Fab and exciting! Value for money. I've been waiting for something like this for ages! Welcome to the 21st century RYA. Ideal for me as I am a commuter. Great to brush up on my engine knowledge prior to sailing on my weekends. Looking forward to more releases. Well done RYA! ### 5/5 — Great New App by RYA *2011-09-16, version 4.0* Great new app by the RYA. Nice and simple to use and I found the prices to be the same as in shops. ### 5/5 — Exellent app & customer service! *2011-09-16, version 4.0* After a brief hiccup overnight with the original pricing (price in the app was a little higher than the paper books) I contacted the developer YUDU Media who quickly rectified the issue and have even put me in contact with the guys at the RYA who were willing to refund me the difference! I couldn't ask for more! Great app guys, and exceptionally quick customer service! I can't wait for the next issue! ### 5/5 — Awesome *2011-08-18, version 3.0* Look forward to full edition. Great teaching resource Whoop whoop ### 5/5 — Great App *2011-08-18, version 3.0* 5* ### 5/5 — Really Yoosfull Application *2011-08-18, version 3.0* Will be even better when the range of 'start sailing' and RYA qualification manuals are available. Comp Crew, Dayskipper etc. ### 4/5 — Good and functional *2026-04-14, version 17.30* It’s a little clunky compared to other app but there are no other issues I have found stoping you form accessing to the books you want so overall is a good app. --- *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 2026-09-06.*