Boat Instruments vs Messina Strait Currents
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side β with what reviewers say about each.
Boat Instruments
This app provides AIS, GPS, and instrument data for boats, acting as a companion to onboard systems or a standalone GPS tool. It displays real-time data like depth, speed, and wind, and shows the position and course of nearby vessels with collision warnings.
- AIS and GPS data display
- Real-time instrument readings
- Collision detection warnings
- Configurable instrument pages
- NMEA bridge connectivity via WiFi
- Target position and course tracking
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AIS, GPS and instruments for your boat. Essential and useful companion to boat instrumentation or to complement the GPS functions of your device. The app connects through Wifi to NMEA bridges that transmit instrumentation and AIS data. You can configure flexible pages of analog and digital instruments, which display realistic gauges and panels: β Depth, speed, course, wind, location, rudder, rpm. More instruments in future versions. The AIS screen shows relative position, speed and course for nearby targets that the on board AIS receiver is reporting. A minimum safe distance can be used to show warnings about potential collisions. The relative direction of travel of targets is shown in colours to indicate relative position in 5, 10 and 20 minutes. β Relative course and speed, collision detection, forecast position. ABOUT US Imray is the leading publisher of nautical charts, books and apps. Our charts, designed and published in England for nearly 200 years, feature popular, carefully edited and award-winning cartography. Look out for other applications in the Marine Navigation Series from Imray Follow us on Twitter @imray_charts Facebook @imraynautical LANGUAGES English, Dutch, French, German, Italian, Spanish, Japanese
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 Boat Instruments's $6.99. Messina Strait Currents also leads on update cadence (every 8 days vs every 2 months). Boat Instruments's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 3) and iOS requirement (8.0 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; Boat Instruments costs $6.99 up front. Messina Strait Currents sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per year. Boat Instruments asks for nothing beyond the download.
Boat Instruments ships an update every 2 months, Messina Strait Currents every 8 days. The most recent releases landed on October 13, 2026 and October 15, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Boat Instruments | Messina Strait Currents |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $6.99 | Free β better |
| Positive reviews | 80.0% of reviews | β |
| Update frequency | Every 2 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 | 8.0 β better | 17.6 |
| Further details β not scored | ||
| Size | 19 MB | 19 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | FB Imray Laurie Norie & Wilson GmbH | Aldo Buongarzone |
In-app purchases
Boat Instruments
No in-app purchases
Messina Strait Currents
- 1 year$3.991 Year
- 7 days$0.99
- 1 month$1.99
Questions
Is Boat Instruments free?
Is Messina Strait Currents free?
Do Boat Instruments or Messina Strait Currents have ads?
Which is updated more often, Boat Instruments or Messina Strait Currents?
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