Comparison

Sailing Master M vs Messina Strait Currents

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Sailing Master M

This app provides comprehensive sailing data and performance optimization on various Apple devices. It displays over 35 sailing measurements from boat instruments, polars tables, and nautical charts, offering detailed wind, route, and map views. Connectivity is established through NMEA 0183 Wi-Fi gateways.

Highlights
  • Configurable data displays
  • 35+ sailing measurements
  • Wind, route, and map displays
  • NMEA 0183 Wi-Fi connectivity
  • Polars table integration
  • Nautical chart overlays
Features
Read full description

Sailing Master M offers comprehensive sailing data and performance optimization information on iPhones, iPads, iWatches, and ActiveLook smart glasses. The application provides configurable pages and data displays, utilizing over 35 sailing measurements from the boat’s instruments, polars tables, and nautical charts. On phones and pads, the Data and Analog Displays can include minimum and maximum values and time series graphs. The Wind Display provides wind, heading, route, and speed information. The Route Display shows the expected wind conditions on the next legs. The Map Display shows the vessel with direction, tacking and downwind laylines on a nautical chart, or the wind laylines in another location. The connectivity is through NMEA 0813 Wi-Fi gateways such as B&G Vulcan, Zeus, GoFree, Yacht Devices, Signal K, Actisense, and ShipModul. The application has evolved from its initial focus on NMEA data display to encompass a comprehensive suite of features. Consequently, the app’s name has been revised from 'Display0183M' to 'Sailing Master M'. For further information, please refer to the user’s guide available on the app’s website or within the app itself. Terms of use: The app is delivered under the Apple End User License Agreement (EULA, https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/) The following libraries and services are used: - Kitura/BlueSocket, published under the Apache 2.0 license - A modified version of GPX package, published under BSD 3-Clause License and copyrighted by Ioannis Silks - OpenStreetMap licensed under the Open Data Commons Open Database License (ODbL, https://opendatacommons.org/licenses/odbl/) by the OpenStreetMap Foundation Licence, and ©OpenStreetMap contributors. OpenSeaMap, which is licensed under the Open Data Commons (ODbL) license, and ©OpenSeaMap contributors The supported NMEA 0183 sentences are: - BWR: Bearing and distance to waypoint - DBS: Depth below surface - DBT: Depth below transducer. - DPT: depth of water. - CGA: Global Positioning System Fix data - GLL: Geographic position Latitude/Longitude - HDG: Heading magnetic - HDM: Heading magnetic - HDT: Heading true - MWD: undocumented, wind direction, wind speed - MTW: water temperature °C - MWV: Wind speed and angle (A,T) - RMB: XTE, range to destination, bearing to destination, destination closing velocity . - RMC: Speed over ground - RSA: Rudder sensor angle - VHW: Water speed and heading - VLW: Distance travelled through water - VPW: Speed - measured parallel to wind - VTG: Course over ground (T or M), speed over ground - VWR: Wind direction (A), wind speed (A) - WCV: Waypoint closure velocity - XDR: air temperature (°C), water temperature (°C) and barometric pressure (mbar). - XTE: Cross track error The data items from NMEA and polars are: - Waypoint bearing - Waypoint distance - Time to Waypoint - VMG waypoint - Cross track error - Depth - Heading - Heading - Course - Course - Water speed - Speed over ground - Water temperature - Air temperature - Air pressure - Wind speed apparent - Wind angle apparent - Wind speed true - Wind direction - Wind direction - VMG Wind - Latitude, Longitude - Waypoint laititude, longitude - Water Distance after reset - Total water distance - Ground distance after reset - Total ground distance - Velocity made good towards wind - Heel - Rudder - Boat target speed through the water - Boat speed of target speed (%) - Beat VMG boat target speed through the water - Run VMG boat target speed through the water - GPS based trip distance - Leeway

About

Messina Strait Currents

Features
Read full description

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: • Sunrise and sunset times • Moonrise and moonset times • Moon phase • 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

Sailing Master M4 screens
Messina Strait Currents4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Messina Strait Currents at every 8 days against Sailing Master M's every 2 months. On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Sailing Master M sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $11.99 per year and Messina Strait Currents sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per year. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Sailing Master M ships an update every 2 months, Messina Strait Currents every 8 days. The most recent releases landed on October 13, 2026 and October 25, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference · 8 level
Sailing Master M versus Messina Strait Currents: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSailing Master MMessina Strait Currents
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (1 ratings) — better—
Number of ratings1 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 8 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Apple WatchiPhone, iPad, Apple Watch
Requires iOS17 — better17.6
Further details — not scored
Size25 MB19 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperPekka LeppanenAldo Buongarzone

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Sailing Master M

Subscriptions1
  • Pro annual14 Days trial$11.991 Year
3 purchases

Messina Strait Currents

Subscriptions1
  • 1 year$3.991 Year
One-time2
  • 7 days$0.99
  • 1 month$1.99

Questions

Is Sailing Master M free?
Sailing Master M is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Messina Strait Currents free?
Messina Strait Currents is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Sailing Master M or Messina Strait Currents have ads?
Neither Sailing Master M nor Messina Strait Currents shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Sailing Master M or Messina Strait Currents?
Sailing Master M ships an update every 2 months, and Messina Strait Currents every 8 days. Most recently, Sailing Master M was updated on October 13, 2026 and Messina Strait Currents on October 25, 2026.

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