navigator yachts review

Boating Journey

Come along with Scott & Ally on their boating journey in Florida!

Tour a 2006 Navigator 5100

This past summer, while touring a Viking Sport Yacht , broker offered to show us a 2006 Navigator 5100. She had overheard us talking about our love for Navigator yachts and she had one on the other dock. Unfortunately at $449,000 it’s out of our price range, but we were thrilled to be able to take a quick tour.

Almost identical to the 5300

If you have been following us this summer, you’ll remember that we toured a Navigator 5300 up in Bellingham. The big difference between this yacht and that one is, this one has furniture in the salon (because the 5300 had sank at the dock). Though two feet shorter, none of the layout appears to be tighter or smaller.

The cockpit is nice a roomy, perfect for a day out fishing. You enter through the heavy duty sliding glass door into the main salon, which is very spacious and comfortable. The salon and galley of the Navigator reminds me very much of a “home”.

The television is hidden in the cabinet until you’re ready to watch it.

One of my biggest issues with the our Bayiner 4087, was we couldn’t relax on a couch and watch tv comfortably. We had to sit in the settee to watch tv. This salon offers a great area to unwind and relax.

Large Upgraded Galley

For anyone who knows me well, you know I love to cook – even on a boat. But small kitchens and galleys, drive me crazy. Even in our big huge house that we sold, we had pretty limited counter space for prep. The Navigator galleys offer tons of prep space, plus a full pantry under the floor in the galley.

Up behind the galley, is the interior bridge. There’s a large settee behind the captain’s chair, which could be used for an office as well.

The bridge had great visibility and all upgraded electronics.

Expansive living quarters

Just like the Navigator 5300, the 5100 offers a large master stateroom with a washer and dryer.

The master stateroom had tons of storage, perfect for a liveaboard. The master head was enclosed and it has a separate shower to the right of the Vacuflush toilet.

I was also shocked about how much storage the cedar closets offered. Plus they smell great!

Room for the entire family!

Down the hall from the master, you’ll find a double bunk stateroom and a VIP v-berth stateroom. The amount of storage that is included in each stateroom was amazing!

The guest head has plenty of space & storage and the shower is a stand alone shower stall here too.

Up to the bridge

To access the fly bridge, you enter through the interior helm area. One thing I really like about the exterior of the Navigator 5100 is the height of the railings. Since I’m short and usually the one putting the fenders out, I feel safer with a taller railing.

When we toured this Navigator 5100, they had taken all of the cushions off, to keep them protected from the elements. One disappointing fact about this Navigator 5100 is that it does not have an enclosed fly bridge, which is a must for us.

As you can see, there’s tons of storage under the seats. Below is what the bridge looks like with the cusions.

There’s so much room up on the bridge! We do wish there was some kind of table, but so far, none of the Navigators we have looked at, have had one on the bridge.

Again, the upper fly bridge offers great visibility for ease of docking.

Is the Navigator our next liveaboard?

Scott and I admit, that after touring three different Navigators, that this is what we are looking for in a liveaboard. We especially like the Sundance model with the main stateroom located mid ship.

So we will continue to search for Navigators and hope that one will come with a liveaboard slip. If you know of anyone wanting to sell their 50′ – 55′ Navigator with a liveaboard slip, please DM us. Be sure to watch the full tour on our channel, video below.

We wish you all a very Merry Christmas and like most of you, we’re celebrating at home by ourselves thanks to covid-19. Thank you for following our journey and be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel and follow us on social @BoatingJourney.

Cheers, Scott and Ally

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Syf350 New Member

I know this is a loaded question. but hoping for objective opinions, not brand ambassadors. Looking at a navigator 53 (volvo) and carver 530 (cummins). same year, same price, lets assume same shape. I am not looking to travel the world. I am looking to liveaboard on something reliable with the occasional jaunt to the bahamas, possibly the loop. go.

BRyachts Member

Navigators seem to have a pretty good reputation, Carvers not so much. While I generally prefer Cummins (parts are cheaper and easier to get) to Volvo, a lot comes down to what model of each one, and how well they've been maintained. Some would depend on your liveaboard lifestyle too.

SeaEric YF Historian

Neither of those models have aged graciously in my opinion. It's been my experience that the Carver is, in general a much easier re-sale. My choice would be the 53 Carver.

NYCAP123 Senior Member

I'd prefer the Carver because of a better support network and easier to resell, and also the Cummins for the reasons in #2. Another reason is because around here there's far more Carvers to choose from, but that could be different in your area.

gr8trn Senior Member

Sorry, I am a brand ambassador. Actually just an owner operator. I have never run a Carver. Look at them both. Sit on them both. Operate them both. Buy the one you like the best. I would go Nav>Carver Cummins all day>Vovlo based one longevity and parts pricing I see your dilema.

Ralph Holiman New Member

I know someone with a 56 Navigator. It's nice looking boat, but, the side decks going forward are so narrow they are hard to negotiate when it's tied up to the dock. I can't imagine trying to do it when any kind of seas, anchored or moving.

JadePanama Member

Based in Seattle, there are a ton of Navigators up here. We actually recently bought a 2011 Californian 55 (which is a Navigator with a different look/layout). One of our closest friends has a 57' Carver and we spend a ton of time on both. I honestly cant say there is anything I like better about the Carver. They have had constant problems. I have never really held either in the highest regards, but after owning the Cal/Nav, I am actually quite impressed with the build and finish. The woodwork is outstanding and the cabinetry hardware they used is top end stuff. I get its still not a Grand Banks or even an OA, but for the Puget Sound waters its a hell of a bang for the buck. Comparing the two, the fit/finish is much higher on the Navigator imo. I never have understood the Volvo hatred. They are very solid, efficient engines. Folks bring up parts, but I have found a pretty plentiful supply out there. As you have probably noticed if you have looked much, at the end of the day it really matters more about that particular boat you are looking at. How was it maintained and used before you means far more than the name on the side. Best of luck!

cleanslate Senior Member

JadePanama said: ↑ Based in Seattle, there are a ton of Navigators up here. We actually recently bought a 2011 Californian 55 (which is a Navigator with a different look/layout). One of our closest friends has a 57' Carver and we spend a ton of time on both. I honestly cant say there is anything I like better about the Carver. They have had constant problems. I have never really held either in the highest regards, but after owning the Cal/Nav, I am actually quite impressed with the build and finish. The woodwork is outstanding and the cabinetry hardware they used is top end stuff. I get its still not a Grand Banks or even an OA, but for the Puget Sound waters its a hell of a bang for the buck. Comparing the two, the fit/finish is much higher on the Navigator imo. I never have understood the Volvo hatred. They are very solid, efficient engines. Folks bring up parts, but I have found a pretty plentiful supply out there. As you have probably noticed if you have looked much, at the end of the day it really matters more about that particular boat you are looking at. How was it maintained and used before you means far more than the name on the side. Best of luck! Click to expand...

the Californian brand has changed hands several times. Not gonna go too deep into the history but the original founder of Californian was Jules Marshall founded in 1972. He sold it to Wellcraft in 1980, bought it back in 84, sold it to Carver in 86, went on to create Navigator in 1988, and bought Californian back from Carver in 1991. From then till they closed around 2016 Californians were really Navigator Hulls and Engines, with a different layout and body. Not sure either is more sea worthy than the other. They both (carver/navigator) have very different layouts so functionality and design preferences probably should drive this. Not trying to be a homer, but I have always considered the Navigator line to be a step above Carvers. I will say the more I dig into mine, I am continually impressed by the neatness of wiring, plumbing, systems etc.

JadePanama said: ↑ the Californian brand has changed hands several times. Not gonna go too deep into the history but the original founder of Californian was Jules Marshall founded in 1972. He sold it to Wellcraft in 1980, bought it back in 84, sold it to Carver in 86, went on to create Navigator in 1988, and bought Californian back from Carver in 1991. From then till they closed around 2016 Californians were really Navigator Hulls and Engines, with a different layout and body. Not sure either is more sea worthy than the other. They both (carver/navigator) have very different layouts so functionality and design preferences probably should drive this. Not trying to be a homer, but I have always considered the Navigator line to be a step above Carvers. I will say the more I dig into mine, I am continually impressed by the neatness of wiring, plumbing, systems etc. Click to expand...

Rusty Mayes Member

We were looking for a Navigator 56 rival because we liked the cabin lay out and were also interested in the Carver 530 Voyager. I did a tone of research and forum reading on each. Owners love them both, I had Cummins on our last boat and would prefer to stay with them. The one thing that I have heard and seen first hand on the Navigators is windshield and side window sealing issues. There is a local boat that we almost bought and saw 6 months later that had the cabin ripped apart chasing interior wood damage. During my research on the Carvers I have not seen too much negative on the overall quality for a boat in its price category. We ended up falling into a local deal on a Carver 506 which for our five year plan will suit us well. It has Volvos so now we just get learn about them. Happy searching

Rusty Mayes said: ↑ We were looking for a Navigator 56 rival because we liked the cabin lay out and were also interested in the Carver 530 Voyager. I did a tone of research and forum reading on each. Owners love them both, I had Cummins on our last boat and would prefer to stay with them. The one thing that I have heard and seen first hand on the Navigators is windshield and side window sealing issues. There is a local boat that we almost bought and saw 6 months later that had the cabin ripped apart chasing interior wood damage. During my research on the Carvers I have not seen too much negative on the overall quality for a boat in its price category. We ended up falling into a local deal on a Carver 506 which for our five year plan will suit us well. It has Volvos so now we just get learn about them. Happy searching Click to expand...

Dweintra New Member

Agreed Dweintra. Both are solid boats and I think it really comes down to maintenance and preference of layout. Yours is a beautiful vessel and I know it will serve you and the fam for many years. Now.. I just need to find a way to get me a private dock off the backyard as well lol

gr8trn said: ↑ Congratulations on your decision and the new boat. I recall you have mentioned Benicia as your home port, I recall that as my wife is from that wonderful town and learned to sail on 9th street beach. We have walked the Marina perimeter many times as her mom lives there. Anyway, you are correct about Navigator windows. There was a move to flush mounted windows in about 2008, don't quote me on that year. Navigator used a 3m product to paint the inside of the windows to give the adhesive something to "stick" to. Short story, it failed and they need to be pulled, fritted or prepared and rebedded. This can be a $30K project at the top end or a $3K project if done as needed one window at a time. Not ideal, there was a law suit over this around that time but as we all know 2008-2009 was not a good time in boat building and Navigator did not make many hulls and finally ceased operations in the years to follow. Pre 2008 or 2007 or so, this Window seal failure is not an issue as far as I know. Click to expand...

JadePanama said: ↑ Agreed Dweintra. Both are solid boats and I think it really comes down to maintenance and preference of layout. Yours is a beautiful vessel and I know it will serve you and the fam for many years. Now.. I just need to find a way to get me a private dock off the backyard as well lol Click to expand...

Ralph Holiman said: ↑ I know someone with a 56 Navigator. It's nice looking boat, but, the side decks going forward are so narrow they are hard to negotiate when it's tied up to the dock. I can't imagine trying to do it when any kind of seas, anchored or moving. Click to expand...

Rusty Mayes said: ↑ Thank you, We really love the marina and it is only30 minutes from our home. Great place to relax on the weekends. I was sure that the boat we looked at was a Sundance in the 2000 vintage. It had big problems with several leaking deck plates and cleats as well as the window leaking. I am not knocking Navigator in general I just want the original Poster to make sure to have the windows and deck plates looked at for any signs of water intrusion as I know it was a very expensive issue to deal with. The prior owners of the boats were very cavalier about the maintenance and it cost them dearly when it came time to sell. The current owners thankfully went in with eyes wide open and are bringing the boat back to ship shape the right way. Cheers Click to expand...

Thank you all. I have now found a carver 570 that is a few years newer and in the same price range, muddying up my decision even further. But it sounds like i can't go wrong with any of them, provided maintenance and soundness are there.

Rkbk New Member

I have a 2000 53 Carver Voyager and love it

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Review: World Navigator

What is the line?  Atlas Ocean Voyages

Name of ship?   World Navigator

Passenger occupancy?  196 (but there were only 70 aboard on this sailing)

Itinerary?  Eight-night sailing Longyearbyen round-trip, circumnavigating Norway's Svalbard archipelago.

Seeking an adventure on the farthest reaches of earth but without forgoing any of the finer touches of life? Atlas is the ultimate luxury expedition trip, designed for travelers looking to wade knee-deep through riverbeds while hiking to remote Arctic glaciers before ending the night in high-design comfort with plenty of caviar on hand.

Start out with the big picture—what is this cruise line known for?

While Atlas is a relatively new brand—this sailing was during the first anniversary of its maiden voyage—it distinguishes itself as a luxury expedition brand, with an ace expedition team guiding a busy schedule of twice-daily zodiac excursions and plenty of cosseting comforts to welcome you back aboard. It's also one of the most eco-friendly ships on the seas, so it attracts a conscious traveler in pursuit of adventure in hard-to-reach places.

Tell us about the ship in general

World Navigator was launched in August 2021, and can hold 196 passengers across 98 staterooms and suites. Because it’s so new, it’s built to the latest standards with state-of-the-art technology that makes it one of the most eco-friendly ships on the seas. Atlas worked with Rolls-Royce to develop hybrid engines that don’t rely on the use of heavy fuels and anchorless positioning that doesn’t harm marine life.

Who is onboard?

During the very first briefing, the expedition leader asked how many of us have been to Antarctica. Nearly everyone raised their hands. That says a lot about the travelers here: adventurous travelers who venture far off the beaten path, many of whom tend to skew older—there are lots of well-traveled retirees—or are bringing multiple generations of their family along.

Describe the cabins

I was in a 300-square-foot Veranda deluxe stateroom, a spacious room with a balcony with outdoor seating. There was plenty of space and storage for two people as well as a small sitting area, a desk with mini bar, and TV. The bathroom was snug but nicely appointed with L'Occitane products, and the multi-jet shower was a dream after a tiring excursion. Other categories range from Solo rooms to Horizon rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows to the top-category Navigator Suites, spread across 465 square feet complete with standalone bathtubs; while my room was beautifully designed and comfortable, I'd say any of the suites, with an extra sitting room, larger closets with dressing areas, and double-length decks, would be the ones to book.

Tell us about the crew

Atlas has put together an impressive expedition team—PHDs, polar meteorologists, and lifelong adventure guides with hundreds of Arctic and Antarctic expeditions among them. In their capable hands, the excursions through choppy weather and to remote stretches of coastline were seamless and fascinating, and time and time again other guests agreed that this expedition team was a highlight that sets them apart from others. But the rest of the crew was also wonderful; warm, friendly, and remembering your preferences before you’ve even had a chance to form them.

What food and drink options are available on board?

It’s a small ship, so food and drink options are limited: Paula's café has grab and go sandwiches, pastries, smoothies, and coffee; the Dome observation lounge serves drinks all day and an afternoon tea; there's a pool bar that was closed the whole time we were at sea (though the self service ice cream cart was parked and available there all day); the Atlas lounge has a bar and serves happy hour treats; and there's a room service menu with staples like club sandwiches, burgers, Caesar wraps, and osetra caviar. But most meals take place at the Porto restaurant, which serves breakfast and lunch buffets and a different themed dinner every night—Japanese, Italian, French, Indian, Ukrainian—along with a classic menu with steak, chicken, fish options. While there were some standout dishes, overall the food, while plentiful, was not out of this world—solid and bountiful but not mindblowing.

Is there a spa on board and is it worth visiting?

The L’Occitane SeaSpa, the French brand’s first-ever spa at sea, has two treatment rooms, a relaxation lounge, and an infrared sauna. My aromatherapy spa treatment was lovely; while I thought the room temperature was too cold, the heated massage bed was a nice touch.

Activities and entertainment

The swimming pool and hot tubs were mostly bypassed given the freezing temperatures, but most guests did get a thrill out of the polar plunge on the third day of the sailing. The twice daily zodiac excursions keep us plenty busy, followed by talks by guest lecturer Dr. Ed Sobey, a polar oceanographer, on what we'd been seeing as well as other issues relating to Arctic wildlife, exploration, and climate change. There was also a daily briefing on the next day's excursions. If we were able to find downtime in between all of that, there was the spa, the gym, and an outdoor running track (though it was usually too slippery to attempt whenever I went to investigate), plenty of books and board games in the Atlas Lounge, as well as nightly entertainment by two on-board entertainers, a violinist and a piano player. One night cruise director Michael Shapiro, who has a musical theater background, performed a New York-style cabaret. But ultimately the entertainment is not the point here—whiling away the 24 hours of daylight in any of the decks—which, given the intimacy of the ship, you can often expect to have to yourself—or the seventh floor Dome observatory with wraparound views of the glaciers and fjords is the best way to spend time between outings.

How was the experience for families?

We had a 10 year old and two teens on our sailing and there wasn't much geared toward them specifically apart from board games as far as I could see. Internet doesn't work at this latitude so we were offline for the entire duration, so if you're bringing kids, be sure to bring books and download plenty of entertainment for them beforehand.

Where did it sail and how were the excursions? Did anything stand out?

We set sail on an eight-night sailing through the fjords of Norway’s remote Svalbard archipelago in July, which is peak summer in the region—24 hours of sun and balmy weather in the 40s. We flew an Atlas charter flight from Oslo to Longyearbyen, before setting sail on a very unique itinerary—most cruise lines don't attempt this route, as it takes several months of summer before the ice has melted enough to allow for passage all the way around Svalbard. This is not the kind of route that would be easy to chart out in any way other than a ship like  World Navigator , and they make it seem effortless despite the challenges of exploring such a remote region—because of the positioning of satellites, phone and internet signals fade away before you reach the 80th parallel, so the entire trip took place without any contact with the rest of the world. The first port was the research settlement of Ny-Aselund, where we explored a small town and shopped at a gift shop—this the last time we encountered established communities in the entire trip. The rest of the itinerary was filled with zodiac excursions, some to moonlike landscapes where we hiked and explored remnants of historic settlements (Ny-London had well-preserved wooden cottages from an abandoned English marble mining town; on Kinnvika, we met three Swedes who were there in complete isolation for a week to restore buildings from an old Swedish polar research center) as well as sailing tours of glaciers and remote beaches to spot walruses, reindeer, arctic foxes, and a variety of arctic birds. We also glimpsed seven polar bears from the ship on our final days. Everything felt so remote, desolate, and beautiful in an otherworldly way, and it was amazing to explore this region of extremes with a skilled expedition team and retreat to creature comforts afterwards.

Are there any stand out sustainability or green initiatives about this cruise?

The standout is the ship itself, with its cutting-edge design aimed to have a minimal ecological footprint—all the more important in remote ecosystems like this one. Atlas also got guests to participate in cleanup initiatives across Svalbard, and we collected discarded fishing nets and plastic and trash that washed ashore on all of our excursions—expedition leaders bagged them all and took them to get recycled in Longyearbyen at the end of our cruise.

Anything we missed

There's a certain kind of traveler that's drawn to these kinds of experiences in these kinds of locations, and I loved getting to know my fellow cruisers—ranging from professors and archaeologists to retired spies. The intimate size of the sailing led to much camaraderie and intimacy, and direct access to the knowledge and expertise of the expedition guides as well as on-board experts like Dr. Sobey. 

Why is the cruise worth booking?

It’s hard to wrap our heads around the impact of climate change on the polar regions unless you see it for yourself—seeing the majesty of the Arctic first-hand, with expert guidance to understand how fragile the region is and aboard a ship that’s at the vanguard of sustainability-minded cruising—really helps bring perspective back home.

All listings featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors. If you book something through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

• Yachting World
• Digital Edition

Best navigation apps: 6 top options tested

• November 16, 2021

There are many app options on the market for sailors wishing to navigate from a smartphone of tablet. Bruce Jacobs looks at some of the best navigation apps on the market.

It’s increasingly rare these days to see any sailor without at least one navigation application on their phone, while tablets are even preferred to fixed multifunction displays (MFDs) on an increasing number of yachts. It’s great to have this navigation information so easily to hand and so mobile, but which are the best navigation apps for sailors and how do they compare.

Sailors need slightly different information to motorboaters. It’s nice to know if it’s going to be sunny, but we care more about whether the tide will be foul or fair. We need to know what the wind direction will be and whether it’s going to be an angle we can use, over and above nearby places of interest.

We looked at the most popular navigation apps, particularly from a sailor’s perspective, and highlighted what we think works well for yachting and what is best left to the motorboaters.

The absolute number one benefit of an app is the ability to instantly see where you are, on up-to-date charts, without the cost and immobility of an MFD. Every app we tested has that core functionality and, ultimately, you will get good basic use out of any of them.

Thereafter, to my mind, most of these apps have been developed with the leisure powerboater in mind. They are focused on short day trips under engine or maybe going fishing to fairly well known areas. Wind, tide and current have little impact in these scenarios beyond whether it is sunny or the anchorage is accessible.

Fast and reliable

Having spoken to a range of sailors, it’s clear that the universal requirement is for an app that delivers fast, reliable data within an intuitive interface. We want charts that show sensible levels of detail as we zoom in and out and, critically, will warn us when we need to zoom in more to see dangers that might have been hidden by vector charts.

We then want all the other essential information such as wind and current instantly accessible and able to be overlaid on the chart, and we want to be able to quickly measure distance and bearing to a relevant point.

But despite some decent contenders, the truth is that not one app delivers it all. Adding in extras such as AIS, boat data, autorouting and more is great, but that foundation level functionality should come first.

Savvy Navvy, the newcomer to the world of navigation apps, shows what the modern app could be. It is possibly the only app built with yacht sailors at the forefront and gives easily accessible wind, current and tide overlays to sensibly detailed charts. Its routing algorithm was the only app we tested that accounted for current, and its passage plans mapped out beautifully informative courses to steer.

It also recognises hazards such as tidal races and Traffic Separation Schemes (TSS). But its algorithm is too ambitious in the level of detail it tries to extrapolate from GRIB files and the app took us into dangerous shallows and routed us metres off hazards and lee shores in strong winds.

The app is nearly the absolute game changer it should be – but its programming sophistication has outstripped its seamanship and that’s an issue.

The other apps proved a mix in how suitable they are for sailors. Basic features such as wind and current were not universally available. Also often lacking were tools such as those measuring distance and bearing.

Frustrating menus

I found some of the routing software frustrating as I was made to go through multiple menus to load and select waypoints, rather than just touch two points on the screen. And some of the apps appear to have had data sources and functionality added over time, without the redesign they might then need to bring it all into one easy-to-use interface.

AIS data is a nice new feature, but some apps rely on an internet signal for it – others can link by wifi to your AIS device. Knowing how often internet signal drops on a yacht even close to land, I’m not sure I’d trust the type that doesn’t connect to the onboard AIS.

Crowd sourced data is also an increasingly common addition to the charts. Some love it for adding real time accuracy, but others claim it can be dangerously inaccurate. I suspect both are true so, as with everything, the prudent skipper should treat all information with a healthy dose of caution.

For the best mix of functionality, breadth of data and reliable information, Navionics + remains my app of choice. But if ( and it’s a big if) Savvy Navvy becomes more savvy with its seamanship – it will have everything it needs to revolutionise the sector and become the sailor’s app of choice.

Best Navigation apps for sailors:

C-Map on an iPhone

C-MAP produces my favourite charts, with just the right amount of detail for spot depths, enlarged navigational marks on land and sea and clever colouring. Wind data via GRIB files is easily overlaid and the colour shading system both makes it easy to see predicted wind speeds and discourages the user from trying to extrapolate unrealistic detail.

However, there is no tide and current overlay, which is a frustration for sailors, and it is also a disappointment that there is no satellite imagery overlay. C-MAP’s automatic routing system is fairly easy and intuitive to use but having allowed me to set a minimum depth of 3m, it would then suggest routes that contravened this limit, albeit giving a second option that didn’t. Some caution is therefore required.

Get C-Map app from the Apple App Store Get C-Map app from the Google Play Store

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Read our full C-Map navigation app review

Navionics app on a phone

Navionics Boating app

This app is intuitive and easy to use. Charts are quick to render and auto zooming of detail is probably best in class. Text is used to good effect and tells you when you need to zoom in to get more information about hazards (one of the dangers of vector charts). Arrows showing current are animated to show strength, direction and whether the tide is on the ebb or flood. Frustratingly, you have to access a different window to get GRIB/wind data, when it should surely just be an option on screen.

The Navionics Sonar option allows charts to be adapted to show depths based on real time user data from thousands of vessels, but the company sensibly warns that many other factors (such as barometric pressure) will have a considerable affect on depths.

Get Navionics+ app from the Apple App Store Get Navionics+ app from the Google Play Store

Read our full Navionics + navigation app review

Savvy Navvy app on desktop or tablet

Savvy Navvy

Savvy Navvy is a sophisticated app with all the key information ready to be switched on or off at your fingertips. It is the only app that has a routing algorithm that has inputs for wind and current (although bizarrely not leeway) and then plots a beautifully drawn course to steer. It is useful to be able to enter later or earlier departure times and see the impact on wind and tide.

Charts are a little light on detail for my liking – my sense being that artistic merit has slightly usurped navigational utility. A bigger issue with Savvy Navvy is that the sophistication of the programming for its route planning has not been matched by that of the seamanship. It extrapolates impossibly detailed wind patterns from the GRIB data and uses performance polars that cannot be adjusted – both of which make the plans interesting to look at but of little practical use.

Get Savvy Navvy app from the Apple App Store Get Savvy Navvy app from the Google Play Store

Read our full Savvy Navvy navigation app review

Seapilot app on a phone

This app is based on some features of the professional ECDIS charting systems and in many ways has some of the best features – but while some will not agree, personally I found it unintuitive to use.

The significant issue, however, is that the autozoom on its charting detail just doesn’t work in many regions. Until I zoomed in to a small area (maybe five square miles) there was so much clutter on the screen that there was not much that could be done. Even when zoomed in, information about navigational marks would often be overlaid on spot depths, making both impossible to read. Seapilot acknowledges that some regions suffer from this as an issue due to the use of ECDIS data and hopes to rectify it going forward.

The app also uses ECDIS warning symbols for some hazards, which leisure sailors won’t be familiar with.

Get Seapilot app from the Apple App Store Get Seapilot app from the Google Play Store

Read our full Seapilot navigation app review

isailor featues nice wind colouring

iSailor is another app that works well as an extension to your boat’s onboard systems. It will connect to the NMEA system and internet AIS, although each feature you unlock costs money. The alarms menu is comprehensive, including anchor drag, waypoint proximity, loss of GPS signal and a low battery warning.

Charts were fairly good, but as with Seapilot, I had issues with the auto detail of the chart at various zoom levels and had data overlaid on each other. I also found that at certain levels of zoom, key data such as spot depth was removed, but too soon for my liking. If I want to plan 2-3 miles ahead I want to see clear depth data, not just coloured contours.

Get iSailor app from the Apple App Store Get iSailor app from the Google Play Store

Read our full iSailor navigation app review

iNavx on a phone

iNavX can be frustrating to use at first because there is so much to customise that it can be tough to get into. Persevere, however, and you’ll find a good app. It has a range of chart options including Navionics, C-MAP and NOAA. They partner with Waterway Guides, which gives micro level detail for marinas and other facilities, although the UK version is yet to arrive.

While all the information is there, I didn’t find interrogation of chart data as easy as, say, the Navionics app, but this may just be personal preference. I also found building and adjusting routes frustrating. There is a very comprehensive manual that can be accessed and a range of excellent YouTube instructional videos – but honestly, I’d rather just be able to work it out quickly and easily on the app.

Get iNavx app from the Apple App Store Get iNavx app from the Google Play Store

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1993 Navigator 3300 FE

1993 navigator 3300 fe specs.

• Boat Type : Inboard Boats
• Quantity: 2
• Horse Power: 318
• Type: Diesel
• Hull Material : Fiberglass
• Beam : 15'0"
• Length : 33'
• Net Weight : 27000 lbs
• Looking for the Boat Manual? 1993 Navigator Yachts 3300 FE Request Boat Manual Now

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• 1994 Navigator 3300 FE

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Boat Profile

A beach-cruising centerboard yawl

From Issue   August 2016

J ohn Welsford’s Navigator is a 14 1/2′ centerboard beach cruiser and daysailer built in glued-lapstrake plywood. Welsford offers several rigs for this pretty little boat: Bermuda racing sloop, a lug yawl, and a gaff yawl. Being attracted more to traditional boat types and rigs, I chose to build the gaff yawl. The combination of the Navigator’s jaunty sheerline and yawl sail plan gives her character, and indeed, she can be built with as much character and tradition as the builder would like without appearing quaint. The choice of rig, sails, materials, and paint and finish schemes can place her comfortably in the 19th or 21st centuries or anywhere in between.

If the Navigator reviewed here is not large enough to meet your needs, Welsford offers plans for a larger version called the Pathfinder. It is 19″ longer and 7″ wider than the Navigator.

Welsford’s plans show an option to mount a small, low-powered outboard on the boomkin, but most builders have opted to mount outboards up to 5 hp on a bracket fixed to the transom. I use a 24-volt, 1-hp electric outboard to help move her along to and from the dock and to get me home when the fickle Midwest winds die. The instructions note placing oarlocks 350 mm (13 3/4″) aft of an optional seat installed for rowing, and many builders equip their boats for rowing. I did too and found that the Navigator is not well-suited to long-distance rowing because of its 5′10″ beam and challenge of placing rowlocks either on the cockpit coamings or gunwales. I mounted locks on the coaming, which leaves about 9″ between the lock and the gunwale, causing the oars to rub on the gunwale. The Davis pattern fold-down oarlocks I used brought the lock inside the coaming. Side-mount or angled-mount rowlocks mounted outside of the coaming would provide more clearance for the oars over the gunwales. My seat for rowing is on top of the centerboard case, which gets me by but is not ideal for any long stretch of pulling. Doing some experimenting with the rowing accommodations and geometry may improve upon the arrangement I currently have.

The Navigator has a near-vertical stem giving way to a sharply curved forefoot and a very fine entry, enabling the boat to slice through a stiff chop with a minimum of fuss. The forward sections have a nice flare above the waterline that helps to keep the bow from diving too deeply into waves. The hull’s flat bottom and firm bilges provide for excellent stability. The sheerstrake curves gently upward and inward to meet the slightly raked transom with a touch of tumblehome.

Welsford originally designed Navigator as a race trainer to serve the needs of a local sailing club near his New Zealand home, but the club opted for an existing class boat. He later modified the design for another client wanting a dinghy for extended open-boat cruising. The changes included a large locker forward of the mainmast as well as two side lockers under the cockpit seats to keep gear away from spray and from any water that might enter the boat. These also form airtight compartments to lend buoyancy in the event of swamping. These compartments, the openness of the cockpit, and the space under the side decks provide ample storage space for camp-cruising and still leave room for four to enjoy an afternoon’s sail.

Battens set in the frames and bulkheads simplify shaping and fastening the planks. The mizzen mast is set to port to keep from interfering with the tiller.

B uilding a Navigator is a straightforward proposition. Welsford provides 11 detailed sheets of plans that include a comprehensive accounting of fastenings, materials, and hardware, as well as helpful suggestions for rigging. Welsford’s concise building instructions have just enough detail to point novice builders in the right direction for getting things done properly and efficiently, while allowing them to make decisions based on personal preferences. Being able to choose between aluminum or hollow bird’s-mouth spars, plywood-sheet or laid-teak decking, fancy do-it-yourself wooden blocks or hardware-store pulleys, and varnish or paint is much of the great fun in building a Navigator.

The project fits nicely in a single-car garage; perfect for the amateur builder who may not have access to a dedicated shop. Navigator is put together upright on a strongback. Bulkheads and frame stations are cut and assembled from marine-grade plywood and attached to the bottom panel along with the keelson, stem, and transom. Longitudinal stringers connect the bulkheads and frames and provide the builder with glue-and-screw landing places for the plywood plank edges. The amidships frames anchor the centerboard trunk, while the compartments in the bow and the cockpit seating provide flotation to both ends of the boat. Four strakes bring us up from the bottom to the sheerline. Once the hull is planked up, the boat is flipped upside down for fiberglassing up to the waterline, the addition of the keel, skeg, false stem, and outside finishing work.

At this stage, I reconfigured the strongback lumber to create a cradle on casters that would allow me to move the boat within the garage as well as roll the project outside or back in as necessary for decking, interior appointments, and rigging.

Welsford specifies either a box-laminated wooden mast, or an aluminum one. I opted to build a hollow mainmast of Sitka spruce using the bird’s-mouth method; dimensions are fully specified in the plans. The mast is just under 14′ long, and the gaff-yawl version of the boat allows all the spars to fit comfortably within the length of the hull for easy transport. The boom, gaff, bowsprit, mizzen, boomkin, and sprit boom are solid, laminated of spruce or pine.

The mast for the yawl rig I chose is stepped through the foredeck just ahead of the cockpit coaming; the mast of the sloop rig is stepped through partners just aft of the coaming. To make rigging easier, I chose to build-in a mast hinge, which saves me from having to step the mainmast by myself when solo sailing, and keeps my boat almost completely rigged as it sits on the trailer. The mast is designed with tensioning stays to keep the jib’s luff straight, and the standing rigging makes a hinged mast a reasonable modification. I made sails from a Sailrite kit cut to the dimensions specified in the plans; there are finished sail packages for this Navigator available online from several sailmakers.

The plans call for a motor mount on the boomkin, roughly square to the normal orientation. Most builders use a conventional bracket fastened to the transom.

I launched my Navigator, PUFFIN, on June 5, 2016, after two-and-a-half years of working on the boat nights and weekends. Dedicated builders have completed it in a few short months; the build time is largely dependent on the builder’s choice of fit and finish, and, to a lesser degree, by one’s skills at the outset of the project. This being my first scratch build, my learning curve was steep, and much time was spent on the “pondering stool” and repairing mistakes that simply couldn’t be overlooked.

The Navigator is a good little boat. PUFFIN weighs in at just over 350 lbs, a bit heavier than the 309 lbs listed in the plans. She is easily trailered, and with a hinged mainmast (see WB No. 237, March/April 2014), I can rig her at the boat launch and get her in the water in 10 minutes or less. Joel Bergen, the man behind the informative Joel’s Navigator Site , has posted a video in which he rigs his Navigator, outfitted with a standard mast, in just under 30 minutes.

The control lines are lead aft along the centerboard trunk for easy access while solo sailing. The decking covering the plywood seating is a personal touch by the author. The spaces under the foredeck and seats provide ample room for stowing cruising and camping gear.

The Navigator’s initial stability is excellent for a boat of its size. I am a solid 200 lbs and have no difficulty standing in the boat while it’s afloat and moving through the cockpit for rig and trim adjustments. For a lightweight dinghy, Navigator handles open water gracefully and with an easy movement, and is faster than it looks. It sails wonderfully on a reach or a run; into the wind, it neither points as high nor runs as fast as I would like, but that may be typical of a gaff rig. If you’d like your Navigator to do better to weather, the alternate Bermuda rig with an aluminum foil-sectioned mast would be the better choice. In 15 knots of wind, my Navigator stays remarkably dry and upright and can do 8 knots on a broad reach, even while fully loaded. Without a cargo of four people aboard, she heels more and offers a more thrilling ride, and can certainly reach higher speeds. One advantage of the yawl rig is the ability to sheet the mizzen in hard and drop the main and jib. This allows her to heave-to with her head pointed nicely into the wind while the crew enjoy a break or take in a reef or two on the mainsail.

The gaff yawl rig has a 28-sq-ft jib, an 88-sq-ft main, and 21-sq-ft mizzen. The insignia on the main is the author’s personal mark for his Navigator, PUFFIN.

John Florance was raised in Mexico, and as a child learned to sail Hobie Cats on the Bay of Acapulco. He has sailed extensively on Lake Michigan, in Mexico, and the Caribbean. He and his family often vacation in the Caribbean and sail -chartered monohulls among the islands. PUFFIN is his first scratch-built boat. He has posted a video of PUFFIN under sail on his YouTube channel.

Navigator Particulars

Length/14′ 9″

Beam/5′ 10″

Weight/309 lbs

Sail Area/136 sq ft

Bermuda rig

Plans for the Navigator are available from John Welsford and from Duckworks .

Is there a boat you’d like to know more about? Have you built one that you think other Small Boats Monthly readers would enjoy? Please email us!

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Comments (4)

Beautiful build, John. I couldn’t see hatches in your seats. How have you waterproofed access to the compartments? I’m trying to come up with a homemade option for my Caledonia yawl, currently under construction.

Thanks for the comment, Ben. Access to the seat compartments is through 8″-diameter inspection ports that are mounted on the inboard faces of the seats. There are any number of suppliers that make waterproof access hatches, if you want to buy them. I made mine of laminated 6 and 9mm ply and used rubber gaskets and siliconized deck caulking to make them waterproof. Truth is, I don’t plan to use the seat compartment for storage. There’s lots of room forward of the cockpit.

These little side-deck boats can benefit from the lessons of the sneakboxes and other side-decked gunning boats of the 19th century. When these were set up for rowing, the sockets went on pads, sometimes folding-pads, generally set on the decks about halfway between the coaming and the edge. It might be fun to mount a side-mount oarlock socket on the transom for some sculling.

Good article, John. Loved it. Brought back great memories about building ARWEN, my Navigator yawl. Thanks for writing it. Steve

Comments are closed.

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