2 minute read
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A column by Evin Moore
Fun New Apps at Your Fingertips
There’s still Indian summer (fingers crossed) and it may be a good time to take that extended cruise north. If that sounds tempting, then this month’s podcast might be just what you need. Currents is the official podcast of the Waggoner Guide, the gold standard for cruising the Northwest from Puget Sound to Ketchikan, Alaska. The show is hosted by Brian Bushlach and Waggoner Editor and Publisher Mark Bunzel, with each episode covering a section of Northwest coastline, advice for technical issues onboard, and thoughts on cruising other locations like the Florida Keys. Episodes provide the background of interesting stops along the coast and include the history, points of interest, and some helpful boating tips for getting around. If you’re planning on any Northwest adventures, be sure to check out the podcast at waggonerguide.com. If you plan on staying closer to home, there’s still time for some late summer fishing and Fish Trace can help you. This app is used to record data about catches and the conditions during the day, allowing you to observe when fish are most active and ready to bite. When you catch a fish, with just the press of a button, the app will automatically record the time, GPS location, and ambient weather conditions. Users can also record the species of fish caught and its measurements, water depth and temperature, technique and equipment used, plus notes and photos. All this data can be stored on the app or exported to a computer with additional data feedback. Fish Trace is available for free on Android devices. While you’re social distancing in style, you and the crew might need a few new refreshment ideas, available to you with Mixel, a cocktail app. Mixel comes loaded with over 80 classic drink recipes for free and over 2,000 when you upgrade to the premium version. A nice feature for boaters is the app’s ability to give you drink suggestions based on the available ingredients; a nice touch when you’re onboard with limited choices at hand. Filters also make it easy to search for drinks that fit your taste, and Mixel can automatically create a shopping list for next time you’re ashore. You can also create your own cocktail, save the recipe, and later share it friends! Mixel is available for iOS or Android and is free with some in-app purchases. Our final app of the month is SailFlow, a sailing weather app that specializes in precise wind forecasting. SailFlow, provides weather and wind data from over 50,000 stations all over the world. The company behind this app has been in business since 1987 and uses their own proprietary weather forecast model. Their PRO weather stations are built and maintained by their own engineers and wind predictions provided by staff meteorologists. SailFlow, provides wind forecasts to thousands of the top sailing sites. Wherever you are, SailFlow can be programmed to provide wind alerts to keep you informed when the breeze is setting in and sailing is great! Pick up the SailFlow app free for iOS or Android devices.
