About
AvNav (short for Android Vessel Navigator) is an open-source marine navigation solution built for sailors and boating enthusiasts who need a reliable, flexible chartplotter without commercial licensing costs. Originally developed for Android and Raspberry Pi/Linux platforms, AvNav delivers a fully browser-accessible interface, allowing chart viewing and GPS tracking from any device on the local network aboard a vessel. The software supports a wide variety of nautical chart formats and allows users to import custom maps for offline use — critical for areas with limited connectivity at sea. Route planning, waypoint management, and real-time GPS position overlay are core features. AvNav also integrates with NMEA data sources, enabling connection to onboard instruments for wind, depth, and AIS data display. A plugin and extension system gives technically inclined users the ability to expand functionality, while the web-based UI ensures cross-device accessibility from tablets, phones, or laptops connected to the boat's local network. The Raspberry Pi deployment model is especially popular for DIY chartplotter builds, making AvNav a go-to choice in the open-source sailing community. AvNav is best suited for hobbyist sailors, cruisers, and DIY marine electronics enthusiasts who are comfortable with self-hosted software and want full control over their navigation setup without ongoing subscription fees.
Key Features
- Browser-Based Chart Display: Serves a web UI accessible from any device on the local network, enabling chart viewing and navigation without platform-specific apps.
- Custom Map Import: Supports importing and using custom nautical chart formats for offline navigation in remote or poorly-covered waters.
- NMEA Instrument Integration: Connects to onboard NMEA data sources to display real-time wind, depth, AIS, and other instrument readings alongside chart data.
- Route & Waypoint Management: Plan routes, set waypoints, and track your vessel's GPS position directly on the chart for complete passage planning.
- Plugin & Extension Support: An extensible architecture allows users to add custom plugins and integrations to tailor the software to specific vessel setups.
Use Cases
- DIY Raspberry Pi chartplotter build for a sailing yacht, replacing expensive commercial chart plotter hardware.
- Offshore passage planning using imported official nautical charts on an Android tablet at the helm.
- Displaying real-time AIS targets and depth data from onboard NMEA instruments alongside GPS position on chart.
- Budget cruising setup where the skipper uses a local Wi-Fi network so crew can follow the route on their own devices.
- Technical sailors and ham radio operators integrating AvNav with custom plugins for weather fax or anchor watch alerts.
Pros
- Completely Free & Open Source: No licensing fees or subscriptions — full source code is available, making it ideal for budget-conscious sailors and DIY builders.
- Cross-Device Web Interface: The browser-based UI means any phone, tablet, or laptop on the boat's local network can access charts and navigation data.
- Highly Customizable: Plugin support and extensive configuration options let technically savvy users adapt AvNav to almost any onboard setup.
Cons
- Steep Learning Curve for Non-Technical Users: Setup on Raspberry Pi and configuration of NMEA sources requires comfort with Linux and networking concepts.
- No Commercial Support: As a community-driven open-source project, users rely on documentation and forums rather than dedicated customer support.
- Manual Chart Management: Users must source, convert, and manually import their own nautical charts — there is no built-in chart store or automatic updates.
Frequently Asked Questions
What devices can run AvNav?
AvNav runs on Android devices and Linux systems, including Raspberry Pi. Its web-based interface can then be accessed from any browser-equipped device on the local network.
Does AvNav work offline?
Yes. AvNav is designed for offline use at sea. You import charts beforehand and the software operates without an internet connection once set up.
What chart formats does AvNav support?
AvNav supports several raster chart formats and allows import of custom maps. The documentation provides guidance on converting and preparing charts for use.
Can AvNav connect to onboard instruments?
Yes. AvNav integrates with NMEA 0183 and NMEA 2000 data sources, allowing display of GPS, wind, depth, AIS, and other sensor data.
Is AvNav suitable for beginners?
AvNav is best suited for users with some technical background, especially for Raspberry Pi deployments. The Android version is more accessible, but chart setup still requires manual steps.
