Why do Google maps fall short for Boating/Fishing?
Can you overlay ENCs on Google maps?
Why is i-Boating called the Google maps for Boating?
Portability and GPS Integration:
Why do Google maps fall short for Boating/Fishing?
Google Maps is the most popular navigation application for car navigation, public transport and walking. However it does not include bathymetry, aids to navigation, underwater hazards/obstructions, channel markers, buoys, restricted areas, tide and current predictions and other details that are necessary for boat navigation.
- Google maps does not have waterway specific data (depths/bathymetry, hazards, obstructions, navigation markers, underwater rocks, sea floor details etc)
- Google maps does not know about marine navigation rules and restrictions
- Google maps does not know about tide & currents
- Google maps does not include an overlay for ENCs (Electronic navigation charts).
Can you overlay ENCs on Google maps?
Our marine charts web SDK does include a Google maps adapter that allows overlaying ENC charts over Google maps. It include supports for popular mapping platforms including open layers, Leaflet, Google maps etc.
Why is i-Boating called the Google maps for Boating?
Interactive Maps:
Like Google Maps, GPS Nautical Charts offers interactive charts you can zoom in/out, pan around, and click on to get more information. But instead of roads and cities, you see waterways, coastlines, buoys, marinas, depths, and hazards.
Navigation Data:
Just as Google Maps provides driving directions, traffic info, and route planning, GPS Nautical Charts provides:
- Real-time GPS tracking of your boat
- Route plotting for safe navigation
- Information about tides, currents, and nautical markers
Detailed Geographic Layers:
Google Maps lets you switch between satellite view, street view, and terrain. Similarly, GPS Nautical Charts has multiple layers, including:
- Bathymetric charts (water depth)
- Topographic overlays
- Weather information
- Relief Shading
- Public Private ownership information
User-Friendly Interface:
The interface is designed for ease of use on devices like tablets and smartphones, just like Google Maps, making it accessible for both professional mariners and casual boaters.
Portability and GPS Integration:
With mobile devices, it functions almost like a GPS navigator for boats. You can see your real-time position on the chart, similar to how Google Maps shows your current location in a car or on foot.
Automatic Routing
Just like Google maps, it can create a route between any two points on the water, given a boat’s draft.