Having been bitten by the sailing bug, this month’s app column has got a decidedly nautical theme. We’ve been navigating the online stores and trawling through the surprisingly large collection of sailing-related apps to find the best that the world wide web has to offer

To save you the hassle of looking through them all, we’ve listed three of our favourites here…

Where are we?

Never get lost again by turning your phone into a fully-featured GPS receiver. The most complete GPS tool we could find, GPS Essentials lets you navigate, manage waypoints and build your own dashboard from 37 widgets. With a huge array of navigation data available from altitude, speed and bearing to latitude, longitude and various speed settings, this is a must-have app for budding sailors.

GPS Essentials – Free from the Android App store

Finger in the air?

Having problems with the instruments on your boat? Now you can use your phone to measure the speed and direction of the wind. This neat little app works by measuring the volume of the wind on your microphone and converts it into a wind speed reading. To use, simply point the microphone into the wind and push Get Wind! Wait a few seconds and push Got Wind! The final reading is the average of the period. Simple but effective.

Wind Meter – Free from Apple App Store

What’s it all about?

Although this app isn’t strictly going to help improve your sailing skills, it will tell you all you need to know about the Volvo Ocean Race and let you keep tabs on Abu Dhabi’s Azzam as it races 39,000 nautical miles around the globe. The customised race tracker provides all the latest data including exact positions, boat speed, direction and weather conditions – so you can stay informed on the race no matter where you are in the world or what you’re doing. Best of all it’s free – what are you waiting for?
Volvo Ocean Race 2011/12 – Free from the Apple and Android App Stores