# Sailing Reference

> Offline nautical navigation reference with calculators, flashcards, and sailing guides. (iPhone/iPad app by Oliver Shingler.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sailing-reference/id978062677 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Oliver Shingler](https://appshunter.io/developer/886565740)
- Category: Reference, Navigation
- Price: $2.99 with in-app purchases
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 15.6 · 16 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2015-04-30
- Data updated: 2026-09-06
- Monetization: paid
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sailing-reference/id978062677/reviews.md

## What is Sailing Reference?

Sailing Reference is the comprehensive reference guide for all of your nautical navigation needs. Ideal for beginner and seasoned sailors, the app contains information crucial to passing the various RYA Yachtmaster shorebased navigation and practical courses. All content is fully available offline so is not reliant upon a data connection at all. There are handy calculators for quickly estimating a course to steer, interpolating tidal stream data, calculating times and heights of tide at secondary ports, and estimating VHF radio transmission ranges. The in-depth reference section includes dozens of illustrated and detailed how-to guides covering:

• Plotting a Course to Steer
• Calculating Leeway
• Calculating Set and Drift
• Compass Deviation and Magnetic Variation
• Estimated Positions
• Interpolating Tidal Streams
• Calculating Depth to Anchor
• Bridge Clearances
• Secondary Port Calculations
• Buoyage and Beacons
• Safety and Distress
• VHF Radio
• Weather and Shipping Forecasts
• and Many More!

For those who need to brush up on their knowledge of the COLREGs / IRPCS, load up the flashcards for a quick quiz. Included with the app are a set of “Rules of the Road” flashcards covering numerous collision scenarios. Additional flashcards covering vessel lights, day shapes, flags and sound signals are available to purchase in-app as a single add-on pack.

For the racing community there's a handy race timer with a 5,4,1,0 countdown and lap timer.

Also available are instructional animations illustrating how to tie a number of the most common nautical knots. Each knot is accompanied by a brief description outlining suitable applications. The Bowline Knot is included with the main application, with other knots available to purchase in-app as a bundled add-on.

## Key features

- Offline nautical reference guide
- Tidal stream and time calculators
- Course to steer estimation
- COLREGs/IRPCS flashcards
- Race timer and lap timer
- Nautical knot animations

## Pricing and in-app purchases

Base price: $2.99.

**One-time purchases**

| Purchase | Price | Type |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Flashcards | $0.99 | one-time |
| Knots | $0.99 | one-time |


## Recent user reviews (3 of 3)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sailing-reference/id978062677/reviews.md

### 5/5 — Clear and Concise Revision & Reference

*2021-09-14*

This App compliments the RYA and Colregs Books nicely and is laid out in a clear and concise way but with enough explanation to clear up some ambiguity that the books alone leave. I purchased the additional flash cards and knots add ins - both less than £1 each at time of writing, my only gripe would be that the flash cards don’t show the right answer when you get it wrong but in turn that does make you look up the answer and learn from it rather than to just remember the card. I can also see this app being useful in the future as it has functions others don’t to make calculations ‘on the go’.

### 5/5 — Great App

*2021-02-20*

This is a really good app with everything in one place. Can I suggest adding a “dipping distance” calculator and a “tidal height” calculator - ladder type display. I wouldn’t think it would be too hard to add in and it would be very useful. 
Also if you could save a set of data for secondary port calculations it would be beneficial - it would mean that as tho g change you do t have to input everything again.

### 4/5 — Concise and clarity in presentation

*2020-02-15*

Finally an app for yacht master course with all the essentials. Simple graphics and calculations. Thanks please continue developing this app.

## Frequently asked questions about Sailing Reference

### What is Sailing Reference?

Sailing Reference is a comprehensive offline guide for nautical navigation. It provides essential information for sailors, including how-to guides, calculators for tides and courses, and flashcards for collision regulations.

### Can I use Sailing Reference offline?

Yes, all content within Sailing Reference is fully available offline, meaning it does not rely on a data connection to function.

### What kind of calculators are included in Sailing Reference?

Sailing Reference includes calculators for estimating a course to steer, interpolating tidal stream data, calculating times and heights of tide at secondary ports, and estimating VHF radio transmission ranges.

### Does Sailing Reference have flashcards for rules of the road?

Yes, Sailing Reference includes 'Rules of the Road' flashcards covering collision scenarios. Additional flashcards for vessel lights, day shapes, flags, and sound signals are available as an in-app purchase.

### Is there a race timer in Sailing Reference?

Yes, for the racing community, Sailing Reference features a race timer with a 5,4,1,0 countdown and a lap timer.

### What nautical knots can I learn with Sailing Reference?

Sailing Reference includes instructional animations for tying common nautical knots. The Bowline Knot is included with the main application, while other knots are available as a bundled in-app purchase.

### What is the price of Sailing Reference?

Sailing Reference is a paid application priced at $2.99.

### How often is Sailing Reference updated?

The latest version of Sailing Reference is 2.1.4, and it was last updated on December 16, 2025. Updates typically occur to add new content or improve functionality.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 2.1.4 — 2025-12-16

Updated for new age rating compliance only

### 2.1.3 — 2025-02-15

Flashcard corrections

### 2.1.2 — 2024-11-17

Error corrections
Bug fixes

### 2.1.1 — 2024-11-17

Error corrections

### 2.1.0 — 2023-04-07

Bug fix in CTS calculator when using a bearing to destination of 180 degrees

## Apps similar to Sailing Reference

| App | Rating | Price | Category |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Sail Bristol](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sail-bristol/id1485424690) | — | Free | Reference |

## More apps by Oliver Shingler

- [Vital Values](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/vital-values/id460023541)
- [Watercolour Reference](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/watercolour-reference/id467961113)
- [Ken's Pub Quiz](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/kens-pub-quiz/id557878888)
- [Kenbats](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/kenbats/id834892439)
- [Config Reference](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/config-reference/id920356771)

All apps by Oliver Shingler: https://appshunter.io/developer/886565740

## Related topics

[sailing doodles](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/sailing-doodles)

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*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.*