Helmsman's Kit vs Messina Strait Currents
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side β with what reviewers say about each.
Helmsman's Kit
This navigation app provides essential yacht cockpit features, including a spherical compass, man-over-board alerts, and anchor watch. It offers offline charts, weather overlays, and marine instrument displays for a comprehensive sailing experience.
- Spherical compass display
- Man-over-board button with direction/distance
- Anchor watch with forwarding
- Offline chart caching
- Weather overlay (wind, waves, temp, pressure)
- Marine instruments display (position, heading, speed)
- Track export in GPX format
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This app combines the essential features you need in the cockpit of your yacht, optimized for easy and fast usage. β’ Display of a spherical compass as you are used to. β’ Man-over-board button, display direction/distance with compass. β’ Anchor watch with forwarding to a second device. β’ Bearing compass. β’ Charts with sea signs. β’ Offline charts by caching of all chart access. β’ Weather overlay: wind, waves, temperature, pressure. β’ Tracking optimized for boats. β’ Full access to and export of the tracks in standard format (GPX). β’ Post images of your tracks on social media. β’ Marine instruments display with the standard values: Position, Heading, Speed over ground, Course over Ground, Heel, Log, Average speed, Time. No account or registration required, even not for forwarding the anchor watch alarm to a second iPhone or iPad!
Messina Strait Currents
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Messina Strait Currents provides tidal current predictions for the Strait of Messina, helping anyone navigating the Strait to plan crossings safely. Based on official harmonic constants, the app calculates tidal current direction and speed at the Strait of Messina's two main reference points, Punta Pezzo and Ganzirri, as well as in secondary areas of the Strait. Results are also displayed through a simple graph, providing a quick and clear overview of tidal current trends. Tidal currents in the Strait of Messina may exceed 6 knots. Knowing the predicted current conditions helps you plan a safer crossing. Home Screen widgets provide at-a-glance current information for Punta Pezzo and Ganzirri, without opening the app. Apple Watch. Check tidal current direction and speed at Punta Pezzo and Ganzirri directly from your wrist, view current trend charts, and access current analysis for the Strait of Messina. Use the Digital Crown to explore predictions by adjusting the date and time. Ring Smart for Apple Watch. Ring Smart watch face complications display current values and trends for Punta Pezzo and Ganzirri at a glance, without opening the app. Shortcuts and Siri. Check tidal currents at Punta Pezzo, Ganzirri, and across the Strait of Messina using shortcuts, which can also be activated with Siri for quick access to current information. The app also provides: β’ Sunrise and sunset times β’ Moonrise and moonset times β’ Moon phase β’ Illuminated portion of the Moon Specifically designed for navigation in the Strait of Messina. Messina Strait Currents builds on the experience of the previous app, available on the App Store since 2012, with a completely redesigned layout and numerous improvements. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: Messina Strait Currents at Free against Helmsman's Kit's $1.99. Messina Strait Currents also leads on update cadence (every 8 days vs every 7 months). Helmsman's Kit's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 3) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 17.6). On ads and device support there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price Β· Rating Β· Positive reviews Β· Number of ratings Β· Update frequency Β· Ads Β· In-app purchases Β· Monetization Β· Best chart rank Β· Devices Β· Requires iOS
Messina Strait Currents is free to download; Helmsman's Kit costs $1.99 up front. Messina Strait Currents sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per year. Helmsman's Kit asks for nothing beyond the download.
Helmsman's Kit ships an update every 7 months, Messina Strait Currents every 8 days. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 15, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Helmsman's Kit | Messina Strait Currents |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1.99 | Free β better |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews | β |
| Update frequency | Every 7 months | Every 8 days β better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No β better | Yes |
| Monetization | Paid | β |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch |
| Requires iOS | 13.0 β better | 17.6 |
| Further details β not scored | ||
| Size | 5 MB | 19 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Dr. Harald Merkel | Aldo Buongarzone |
In-app purchases
Helmsman's Kit
No in-app purchases
Messina Strait Currents
- 1 year$3.991 Year
- 7 days$0.99
- 1 month$1.99
Questions
Is Helmsman's Kit free?
Is Messina Strait Currents free?
Do Helmsman's Kit or Messina Strait Currents have ads?
Which is updated more often, Helmsman's Kit or Messina Strait Currents?
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