BoatUS and Savvy Navvy partner to boost navigation confidence among recreational boaters
Springfield, VA, January 6, 2026 – With grounding incidents among the leading causes of on-water assistance calls in the United States, BoatUS and navigation technology company Savvy Navvy are thrilled to announce a partnership for recreational boaters to navigate more safely and confidently.
The partnership aims to address critical skills gaps, particularly among newer boaters who may lack experience with chart reading, tidal patterns, and route planning. Savvy Navvy – often referred to as “Google Maps for boats” – delivers an intuitive, all-in-one app that helps boaters plan safer routes with ease. Earlier this year, Savvy Navvy launched new features including NMEA Connect, which seamlessly integrates NMEA-enabled boat instruments with the app, providing real-time data and enhanced AIS visibility.
BoatUS, the Boat Owners Association of The United States, is the nation’s leading advocacy, services and safety group for recreational boaters. Providing on-water towing assistance to its members, this new partnership will enable its 740,000 members with a discount on a Savvy Navvy Premium account, providing enhanced access and functionalities for safer navigation.
“BoatUS does great work for its members, and its mission to eliminate preventable recreational boating accidents aligns perfectly with why we founded Savvy Navvy. As a leader in digital navigation, we firmly believe in formal training, understanding navigation, and knowing what’s going on in the background while the app is doing the heavy lifting. With human error and inexperience behind so many on-water incidents, this partnership enables more boaters to access Savvy Navvy, enhancing safety and peace of mind whilst out on the water,” says David Cusworth, Head of Partnership and Innovation at Savvy Navvy.
“We’re excited to partner with Savvy Navvy and offer our members a discounted rate to access the Savvy Navvy navigational app,” said Elio Betty, Director of Partnerships at BoatUS. “Our hope is to connect our members with a seamless navigational experience when on the water and ensure our members reach their destination safely.”
To become a member of BoatUS for only $25 annually and enjoy benefits such as the Savvy Navvy Premium Account, a subscription to BoatUS Magazine, complimentary DSC-VHF radio registration, discounts on marina fuel, transient slips, repairs and more, visit BoatUS.com/Membership.
Unlike other navigation solutions, Savvy Navvy provides smart routing, giving users the optimal route and dynamic ETAs based on real-time data: departure time, chart information, weather conditions, tide, boat specifications, and local regulations. With more than 3 million downloads worldwide, the United States continues to be one of Savvy Navvy’s fastest growing markets. For more information, visit www.savvy-navvy.com.
About Savvy Navvy
Simplifying boating technology has always been the aim of savvy navvy, founded by lifelong sailor and ex Googler Jelte Liebrand. He was baffled at the amount of data sources you needed to get a clear picture of where you were, what the tide was doing, what weather to expect, how to plot your course to steer and how to find a good anchorage or marina and then how to share your plans with your buddies and family. He focused on tech that is already in the hands of most boaters. So, turning a phone or tablet into your boating buddy seemed like an obvious next step. In less than six years, savvy navvy has attracted global users from all over the world all using the app to help their experience on the water. As part of savvy navvy’s continuous growth, they have expanded to support kayakers, jet-skiers and paddleboarders with simplified navigation. Today savvy navvy is available on Android, IOS, PC and Mac and can be used on an unlimited number of devices. Find out more on www.savvy-navvy.com .
About BoatUS
Celebrating 60 years, BoatUS is the nation’s largest advocacy, services and safety group with more than 740,000 dues-paying members. BoatUS is the boat owners’ voice on Capitol Hill, fighting for their rights. The TowBoatUS® fleet is available 24/7 to assist our members on the water when boats break down or run aground with some 660 vessels and 330-plus locations across North America, bringing our members safely back to the launch ramp, marina or dock. On the road, we are The Boat Owners Auto Club™, helping ensure roadside trailer and tow vehicle breakdowns won’t slow you down. BoatUS offers GEICO boat insurance policies that give boat owners affordable, specialized coverage and the superior service they need. Award-winning BoatUS Magazine is the largest circulation recreational marine publication in the U.S. with engaging content that speaks to the passion for boat ownership, while our 501(c)(3) nonprofit BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water offers the nation’s only free online boating safety course and many other programs that keep boaters safe and our waters clean. Visit BoatUS.com for more information.
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