App for a remote anchor watch ?

T

TJM

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In this world of techno gadgets, Does someone make an application to monitor the position of your boat remotely while you are away ??

I was thinking how cool it would be to be able to pilot the boat to Block Island, or other and leave it on the hook for a few weeks while you returned to work for a few days. Ferry rides back and forth would be easy enough??

Currently, I rent a town mooring for the week days and return on the weekends.
 
There is or was an app that did tis, it was discussed here a few months ago. I tried it but found it to be unreliable. You could run it on a device on board like an iPad and monitor from another device thru the internet.

Even if it was stable, which it was not, you woudl have to have a reliable internet connection on board with cel data or wifi. If wifi, it would have to be good and not require manual log in after a power outage, or time out...

I tried looking for the app but don't see it anymore, I wonder if it was pulled.
 
The android app that I have used is:

Anchor Alert.

If you are running it on an android cell phone, it will send a text message to you if the boat exceeds the set anchor perimeters.

I have found it to be reliable backup to the installed chart plotter alarm on my boat, as I can have the phone beside me in the stateroom at night. It does operate in the background, phone can be used and charging while monitoring.

I would not use them to monitor a boat that was left on a mooring for an extended away time. I have used anchor alert only during short shore excursions.

There is an app on the iphone app store with a similar name, but it is not published by the android apps developer or is it similar in function.

Here is an informative article that discusses this.

http://www.boatus.com/magazine/2013/October/the-ultimate-anchor-watch.asp
 
If you're that far away what can you do when the alarm goes off?
 
Well typically when you leave the boat on the hook you won't be very far and can get back on board quickly.

That said, the best insurance again that alarm going off is an oversized anchor and extra scope.
 
To monitor position remotely will require a transmitter to sent position data to . . . something - WiFi, Cellphone network, Satellite service, etc. So, there will be a drain on batteries if no engines or genny. Regardless of transmission method, position data is needed, and that device will draw power.

The easiest way to remotely monitor position data would be to get an AIS transceiver . . . more than a few apps will view AIS data. Dunno if there's an app to specifically watch one AIS target, and chart it's movement (i.e., moving xxx yds from a given GPS position) and generate an alarm.
 
All good questions and comments. Maybe I should have stated the obvious. I would be about two hours away from the boat at any given time. Either the ferry or a friends "go-fast" boat can get me there real quick.

As Pascal had mentioned, I would have an over sized anchor, all 3/8" diameter chain rode and in deeper water away from other boats. I have already discussed this option with the Harbor master and he was ok with keeping an eye on it as well. He also has my contact information.
To feel comfortable (almost) I would need to be able to monitor my boats actual position, like I do while on the boat, and it sounds like there is nothing available yet.
 
Check out Safeanchor and Safemonitor in the App Store.they work together.. Can't find the one I tried, it looks like it s been pulled but that one would do what you're looking for.

Not sure how reliable it is.

Battery drain shouldn't be a big problem on most boats as phone charger don't use much juice. Certainly less than an AIS xmitter.
 
We have a SPOT that we pay the extra $150 fee a year for online tracking. That gives me a web window with a status every 20 minutes or so. The lithium batteries I have in it have lasted me three summers of minimal use so far. Just an option.
 
Also, check out "Drag Queen" from Active Captain. Silly name; decent app.

Tlaw7
 
Not to hijack But my rayjunk doesn't have an anchor alarm. IS there a phone app for position moment . I cant believe my chart plotter doesn't have it .. but that's another thread. We overnited in the hook and I didn't sleep.....

Thanx

Rob
 
quote:
Originally posted by Robski97

Not to hijack But my rayjunk doesn't have an anchor alarm. IS there a phone app for position moment . I cant believe my chart plotter doesn't have it .. but that's another thread. We overnited in the hook and I didn't sleep.....

Thanx

Rob

Click to expand...


See above... Dragqueen works very well. That's what I use and we spend probably 50 or 60 nights a year on the hook

It's simple. on the downside it doesn't have a graphic display of your swing pattern, just bearing and distance, but simple means it s solid and doesn't crash

We sleep very well ... Then of course and oversized anchor (176lbs Bruce) and plmety of chain means the alarm never goes off.
 
I didn't realize that Dragqueen was made my AC. I like to support them.
 
Did that sound like I like to support drag queens? Well, I haven't taken any into my home, but I do firmly believe in a person's right to expression... lol
 
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