About
TZ iBoat is TIMEZERO's flagship iOS marine navigation application for iPhone and iPad, built to serve boaters, sailors, and fishermen of all experience levels. The app's centerpiece is TZ MAPS, a next-generation chart format that seamlessly integrates official Raster and Vector chart data, high-resolution satellite imagery, and detailed land information into a single unified view. BathyVision extends this further by providing high-definition bathymetric charts with adjustable contour lines and shading, enabling users to explore the ocean floor and identify optimal fishing structures and safe anchorages. For anglers, Sportfishing Ocean-O delivers premium weather intelligence including Sea Surface Temperature (SST), chlorophyll concentration, altimetry, and current data to pinpoint the best fishing conditions. Dynamic Moorings assists with safe anchoring by incorporating real-time weather data, while Route Assist automatically generates obstacle-avoiding routes between waypoints with full user control. Additional safety tools include Smart Zones for geo-fence alerts, Dynamic Lights for visualizing light sectors relative to vessel position, and a Smart Search engine for rapid chart lookups. Community Maps allow sailors to share and discover crowd-sourced navigation data. TZ iBoat also supports synchronization with TIMEZERO software and compatible Furuno hardware, including DRS4W radar. Offline weather forecasts ensure connectivity is never a requirement for safety at sea.
Key Features
- TZ MAPS – Unified Raster & Vector Charts: Seamlessly combines official Raster and Vector chart data with high-resolution satellite photos and detailed land information into a single, switchable chart view.
- BathyVision – Bathymetric Charts: High-definition ocean floor topography with adjustable contour lines and shading to help locate fishing structures, shallow areas, and safe anchorages.
- Sportfishing Ocean-O: Premium fishing intelligence featuring Sea Surface Temperature, chlorophyll, altimetry, and current overlays to identify optimal fishing conditions.
- Route Assist – Auto Route Planning: Automatically generates safe routes between waypoints while avoiding obstructions, with real-time updates as you adjust or add waypoints manually.
- Dynamic Moorings & Smart Zones: Guides users to safe anchoring spots using real-time weather data, and triggers geo-fence alarms when entering or leaving restricted or custom-defined nautical zones.
Use Cases
- Recreational boaters using detailed marine charts and tidal data for safe coastal and offshore navigation.
- Anglers planning fishing trips by analyzing Sea Surface Temperature, chlorophyll, and current data to locate productive fishing grounds.
- Sailors identifying safe anchorages with Dynamic Moorings that factor in real-time wind and weather conditions.
- Navigators planning routes with Route Assist to automatically avoid underwater obstructions and restricted zones.
- Cruisers monitoring real-time weather forecasts and setting Smart Zone alerts to stay informed about restricted or hazardous areas.
Pros
- All-in-One Navigation Suite: Combines charts, weather, tides, fishing data, and routing in a single app, eliminating the need for multiple tools on board.
- Offline Capability: Offline weather forecasts and downloaded charts ensure full functionality even without a cellular or Wi-Fi connection at sea.
- Advanced Fishing Tools: Sportfishing Ocean-O provides professional-grade ocean data (SST, chlorophyll, currents) rarely found in consumer-grade boating apps.
- Crowd-Sourced Community Maps: Access and contribute to crowd-sourced navigation data, giving users local knowledge and hidden insights beyond official chart coverage.
Cons
- iOS Only: Available exclusively on iPhone and iPad; Android and desktop users are not supported.
- High-Resolution Data Not Universally Available: BathyVision high-resolution data and satellite imagery are region-dependent, with some areas only offering lower-resolution coverage.
- Premium Features Require In-App Purchases: Advanced features such as Sportfishing Ocean-O and full TZ MAPS chart coverage may require additional purchases beyond the base app.
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of marine charts does TZ iBoat support?
TZ iBoat supports both Raster and Vector marine charts through its TZ MAPS format. Users can seamlessly switch between the two chart types and also access high-resolution satellite imagery and bathymetric overlays depending on their region.
Does TZ iBoat work offline?
Yes. TZ iBoat supports offline weather forecasts and allows users to download charts for offline use, ensuring the app remains functional in areas with limited or no cellular connectivity.
What is Sportfishing Ocean-O?
Sportfishing Ocean-O is a premium feature in TZ iBoat v3 designed for anglers. It provides ocean data including Sea Surface Temperature (SST), chlorophyll concentration, altimetry, and current information to help identify the best fishing conditions and locations.
Is TZ iBoat free to download?
TZ iBoat is free to download from the App Store and offers a base set of navigation features at no cost. Some advanced features and chart regions require in-app purchases or a subscription, making it a freemium application.
Can TZ iBoat connect to external hardware like radar?
Yes. TZ iBoat is compatible with select Furuno hardware including the DRS4W radar, and can synchronize with TIMEZERO desktop software for a connected onboard navigation ecosystem.
