Hitchhiker wrote:

Used the RD3 app yesterday in our first race of the year. It works very well and it was really nice to have all the data I wanted on my wrist rather than carrying the tablet or pulling out a handheld device.

In the last 10 years or so I've been using an ipad, iphone and for the last year a Mesa tablet in the cockpit. Yesterday, I ran the pre start data off the tablet, then placed it in a line bag in the back of the boat and used the iwatch for the remainder of the race, just advancing the marks on the tablet as needed.  It was great having clear legible data on my wrist.

Downsides?  It rained all the way upwind to the finish and the iwatch does not like the rain. (I have an old version).
Battery life was not very good for the watch.  Again, old...

So, I am now shopping for a new watch.  Welcome any suggestions on a good watch, android or ios.

some images on Instagram @Johnstonemarinecms89

@Hitchhiker@
Am beta testing an updated version of the Apple Watch app - one key update is enabling the system Water Lock from the app, which disables touch.

Once am comfortable, will let you know when is published.

Todays update includes setting Expedition Events from the iOS and Android apps.

Might take ~24hr to become available on the app stores.
 

Last edited by Campbell_Field (1/12/2026 8:50 am)

I asked Campbell the same question recently, this was his reply....

I keep getting asked the same thing.

Garmin is a restricted ecosystem with no networking ability. Fenix/Quatix etc is ANT+/BLE only and for restricted channels, and requires additional hardware to be installed on board. There are workarounds to widen the channels etc however this is more of a hack than a reliable solution. In summary, very limited range and significantly overpriced watch hardware. Garmins solution was a significant driver for me to start down the wifi wearOS and watchOS road.

So in short, the answer is no.

Very nice-looking app!Are you actually using it on a watch as a navigator? I can see the use case more for the other crew members. As navigator, for inshore and coastal sailing I usually have a tablet in hand all the time, with all the numbers available.I’m curious — what does your setup and workflow look like?

newbie wrote:

Very nice-looking app!Are you actually using it on a watch as a navigator? I can see the use case more for the other crew members. As navigator, for inshore and coastal sailing I usually have a tablet in hand all the time, with all the numbers available.I’m curious — what does your setup and workflow look like?

I always have numbers on my watch that I frequently need to access. This makes racing much easier when hiking hard, grinding/runners/whatever necessary at marks/manoeuvres/sail changes etc, without having to access the tablet, unlock etc which takes both hands. I do still use the tablet, but just for more complex tasks such as reviewing tack to tack cals and point-to-point course adjustments.

Adding to rvsails comment, any size boat you find yourself on being able to contribute a spare pair of hands quickly is a benefit.

For W/L racing: leg and next leg layline times, TWD to lay numbers, +/-90 numbers etc, 5 & 15min etc TW averages

For point-to-point racing add mark and next leg TWA etc

The idea behind course setting etc on the phone app is to be able to do a w/l race from T-10 without getting the tablet out at all, useful for small boats such as a Cape 31 right up to the GP maxis. Believe me, both these environments can equally challenging with a 7/8/10" tablet swinging around your neck.