Comparison

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.

Head to head
About

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.

Highlights
  • 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
Features
Read full description

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: ● 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. ● 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

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: 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

Boat Instruments3 screens
Messina Strait Currents4 screens

Verdict

The call

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

CostPrice Β· In-app purchases Β· Ads Β· Monetization

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.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

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.

Scorecard4 real differences Β· 4 level
Boat Instruments versus Messina Strait Currents: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterBoat InstrumentsMessina Strait Currents
Price$6.99Free β€” better
Positive reviews80.0% of reviewsβ€”
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 8 days β€” better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo β€” betterYes
MonetizationPaidβ€”
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, Apple Watch
Requires iOS8.0 β€” better17.6
Further details β€” not scored
Size19 MB19 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperFB Imray Laurie Norie & Wilson GmbHAldo Buongarzone

In-app purchases

None

Boat Instruments

No in-app purchases

3 purchases

Messina Strait Currents

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

Questions

Is Boat Instruments free?
Boat Instruments costs $6.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Messina Strait Currents free?
Messina Strait Currents is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Boat Instruments or Messina Strait Currents have ads?
Neither Boat Instruments nor Messina Strait Currents shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Boat Instruments or Messina Strait Currents?
Boat Instruments ships an update every 2 months, and Messina Strait Currents every 8 days. Most recently, Boat Instruments was updated on October 13, 2026 and Messina Strait Currents on October 15, 2026.

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