Wärtsilä iSailor is an easy-to-use marine and river navigation application for amateur seafarers.
iSailor provides a clear presentation of navigational information, electronic charts and additional content.
TX-97 vector charts supported by iSailor are recognized worldwide as one of the most accurate and reliable sources of navigational information.
Chart folios can be purchased and downloaded in the iSailor Chart Store utilizing the standard iTunes Store payment/purchasing procedure. Chart correction service is provided on annual basis via the auto-renewable subscription service. iTunes will charge payment after confirmation of the chart correction purchase. You may manage your subscriptions and turn off the auto-renewal service in the Account Settings. Your subscription will automatically renew unless auto-renewal is turned off at least 24 hours before the end of the subscription period. You can cancel your subscription in the Chart Store any time. All previously purchased chart folios will remain available for you and can be restored from the service via the Chart Restore function. To receive subsequent chart corrections for your purchased charts, you will need to subscribe to the annual updates in the Chart Store.
The application works on iPhone and iPad using built-in GPS, NMEA Wi-Fi GPS or an external Bluetooth GPS.
Supported devices (iOS version 11 and higher):
• iPhone 5S or higher
• iPad 5 generation or higher
iSailor features:
• Positioning system: iOS (Built-In GPS), NMEA GPS or AIS Class B (Option)
• AIS Class A NavData interface (Option)
• NMEA Heading and Rate-Of-Turn sensors (Option)
• NMEA Echo Sounder with a graphical 2D echogram and water temperature sensor (Option)
• NMEA Wind Sensor, including True & Relative wind calculation (Option)
• NMEA Autopilot interface (Option)
• Display of charts, routes, track(s) and user objects
• AIS target presentation. Target contours and dimensions (Option)
• Internet AIS service (Optional subscription)
• Weather service (Optional subscription)
• Tides and tidal currents (Optional subscription)
• Sailing guides, regional marinas (Optional subscription)
• North Up, COG Up, Head Up and Route Up chart orientations
• Information on any vector chart objects
• Free cursor, Point-To-Point and Own ship referenced ERBL functionality
• Monitoring of navigational data: Position, Course (COG) and Speed Over Ground (SOG)
• Route creation by the graphic and tabular methods. “Go To” routes.
• Waypoint monitoring: Bearing to WP, Distance to WP, XTD, Time-To-Go and ETA
• Schedule information: Time-To-Go and ETA to any selected waypoint ahead
• Multi-language support
• Multi-unit support
• Custom track colors
• Day and night chart palettes
• Alarm monitoring functionality
• Route, track and user object: export/import via GPX, KML and KMZ formats
• Advanced Logging and Playback function (Option)
• User object sharing via Facebook, Twitter, iMessenger, eMail
NOTE: Continuous use of the GPS running in the background can dramatically decrease the battery life. Wärtsilä iSailor application may use your location even when it’s not open, which can decrease battery life of the device
Pros: iSailor offers a feature-rich, highly customizable charting experience with an easy-to-use interface. Users also cite good value from low and predictable subscription costs, and it’s trusted by long-time mariners. Cons: The app appears poorly maintained with few updates, purchases often fail to load or update, and chart store access is unreliable. Additional complaints include steep price increases and a shift to subscription-only pricing, AIS/GPS data issues, and subpar customer support. Overall, strong navigation features are offset by maintenance, pricing, and support concerns.
Perceived good value from low ongoing subscription costs
Trusted by long-time mariners with a solid track record
Cons
App appears poorly maintained with few updates over the years
Purchased charts often fail to load or update; chart store access is unreliable
Significant price increases and a shift to subscription pricing (e.g., Bahamas charts from $7 to $99; lifetime access removed)
AIS/GPS data issues and data not appearing on charts
Poor customer support and frequent unresponsiveness
Recent reviews
You buy a chart and expect that what you’ve purchased remains intact, but it doesn’t. It degrades as they pull detailed data that you’ve already paid for. You’d expect purchased updates to provide the latest survey data, and by all rights they do — but if you don’t need the latest and greatest survey data, you’d expect the old charts you bought to show you everything you bought. Nope — they pull the rug out from underneath you and dangle a $6 chart upgrade out there with no guarantee that the corrupted view of the area of interest will be any improved after taking the bait. I’m done with this app. Open CPN on raspberry pi it is.
byBr*****, 2026-02-21
Kindly requested to active AIS options to be used with new navigation equipments.
In new devicee we receive ship data through AIVOD sentencesb that unfortunately that is locked in the app.