CAptain's Mate App
Cruising information for people like you, by people like you
CAptain’s Mate awarded ‘Equipment Innovation of the Year’ at 2022 British Yachting Awards
The British Yachting Awards, hosted by Sailing Today with Yachts & Yachting, reward the very best examples of excellence and celebrate the leading marine products, services, yachts, destinations and achievements across eleven cruising and racing categories.
CAptain’s Mate was voted as the winner from seven nominees in the ‘Equipment Innovation of the Year’ category, as shortlisted by Sailing Today with Yachts & Yachting and voted for by their worldwide readership and the public.
Since its initial launch in 2012, CAptain’s Mate has evolved to set a standard in digital cruising information and remains a leading platform. The CA is proud of what has been achieved and what is still to come.
What is CAptain’s Mate?
CAptain’s Mate is a unique app providing an invaluable and intuitive toolbox of knowledge, designed to empower yacht and motor cruisers. Putting thousands of cruising reports at your fingertips, CAptain’s Mate is packed with innovative features and provides an unrivalled breadth of cruising content in one interface, covering over 7,500 locations in more than 100 countries around the world.
Available on iOS and Android, once downloaded the app works even when you have no internet connection or phone signal. If you prefer using a keyboard and larger screen, the app is also integrated on the CA website.
Book your CAptain’s Mate Insight session now
CAptain’s Mate – digital Cruising information
CAptain’s Mate provides accurate, up to date and streamlined information on all types of cruising location - anchorage, marina, port, harbour, boatyard and quay.
Developed with the yacht and motor cruiser in control, the app is packed with useful features, search and filter functions. Each location displays an ‘Overview’, ‘Info’ and ‘Report’ tab, enabling users to easily swipe between summary content and more detailed reports.
Packed with useful features
The filter and search options show availability of and access to key facilities, such as water and fuel, and, if available, supermarket, restaurant and other amenities and boat services like crane and repair options. You can find discount partners close to each location, CA Honorary Local Representatives and interact with nearby members via the friends function.
At the core of CAptain’s Mate is a database of over 20,000 members’ contributions linked to over 7,500 locations, which can be viewed in summary and expanded displays. The contributions detail first-hand, factual and accurate location information, as well as practical tips, approach considerations and personal experiences. The photo galleries capture visual references on each location, from pilotage to berthing to shore side facilities.
CAptain’s Mate is renowned by our members as a trusted app, with content reviewed by our team of forty editors who ensure location information and reports are reliable, factual, accurate and free from commercial influence.
CAptain's Mate - Quick Facts
- Worldwide - covering 7,500+ locations in more than 100 countries
- Locations - information covers anchorage, marina, port, harbour, boatyard and quay, with new locations added regularly
- Information - 20,000+ member contributions provide accurate and practical location advice and insights
- Platform - iOS, Android and web
- Search and Filter - by name, location or facility/service
- Map - OpenSeaMap data available online and can be saved for offline use
- Community - find and contact other CA members and local CA representatives
- Up to date - information and photos updated almost daily by members
- Discounts - view by location, list or search
- Membership - digital membership card
- Accurate - content is reviewed by editors and free from commercial influence
Book your CAptain’s Mate Insight session now
The Cruising Association is running CAptain’s Mate Insight sessions, which will be in the form of a one-to-one online via Zoom with a CA staff member to showcase the app functionality and answer your questions. Each session will be approximately 30 minutes and can be booked on our Zoom One-to-One Chats booking page.
The CA team looks forward to introducing CAptain’s Mate to you and please share the link with your friends.
CAptain’s Mate – be part of it
CAptain’s Mate app is exclusive to CA members and one of the valuable benefits of being a member.
By joining the CA, members receive unparalleled support in their cruising journey. As well as access to CAptain’s Mate app, members benefit from our vast information resources, events, lectures, online forums, rallies, quarterly Cruising magazine, monthly newsletter, Crewing Service, prize draws and a worldwide network of representatives.
CA members can take advantage of offers and discounts from our selected marine partners, covering everything from boat insurance to sail repairs, restaurants to training courses, charter holidays to chandlery. CA House, our members’ club house in London, boasts bar, restaurant, accommodation and meeting rooms, and is also home to one of the world’s most significant nautical libraries. Our Regulatory & Technical Services group (RATS) provide invaluable expertise and advice on legislative issues impacting cruising.
Discover more about the extensive CA member benefits and easily join the CA online.
Satellite view of location clusters – Ionian and Aegean
Map view of location clusters - Plymouth
Map view of location clusters filtered by type and facility – North-western Europe
Location info tab - Port Hamble Marina
CAptain’s Mate – a History
Originally launched in 2012 to meet the need for up to date, accurate and informative data on cruising locations, the upgraded and new look CAptain’s Mate app has been an ambitious project.
The CA sought our members’ feedback, listened, utilised the latest technology and delivered the upgraded app, which puts comprehensive information within a few taps. The upgraded CAptain’s Mate app is another milestone in the CA’s ongoing investment in its member services and digital offering.
CAptain's Mate of the Month
The CA's amazing app CAptain's Mate is available exclusively and free to CA members. However, we're keen to share some of its attributes and first-hand knowledge and some 'as live' reports with all of our followers - members and non-members alike. We're delighted to bring you a new line-up of...CAptain's Mate of the Month! These are just examples of the hundreds of new reports submitted every month.
November 2024:
Nazaré, Portugal: Probably the clearest directions and warmest welcome we've received in 40 years of cruising! Berthing confirmation by email went into 'junk' but when we found it, it contained everything we needed. Calling on VHF when 1nm from the entrance as directed, we received very clear instructions and were met on the pontoon with mooring assistance. The finger pontoon was a full 12m length, fitted with 'conventional' cleats and pretty new.
There is a filling station just yards from the marina. Campingaz is available in town so ask the duty marinero for directions and he'll probably drop a pin on Google Maps for you. The town has everything for day to day needs and is about 20 mins walk or 6 mins via the excellent cycle track which starts just outside the marina.
Berthing price was very acceptable and if staying 7 nights or more, the rate is reduced and backdated to day one.
Cruising information for people like you, by people like you
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