What’s on My Boat?

I can’t count the number of times I have placed something somewhere – specifically so that when I need to remember where it is, I will remember.

The time comes, and I can’t remember where I’ve placed it. I'm searching in vain, and I’m none too happy about it.

Well, leave all that frustration and mumbled cursing behind by downloading the “What’s on My Boat” app. The app operates on a very simple principle: document the things you have and where they’re located and put it all into a simple, easy-to-use package.

Anyone who’s ever lived on a boat for any length of time knows the importance of space management. And anyone who’s lived on a yacht knows that, despite the fact that the boat is 10-times bigger than your average pleasure cruiser, the very same principle still applies.

All you have to do is input an item into the system. This can be done manually or by using the microphone to dictate the item. Then, once it’s in, you can assign it any of the following: a location, a category, or a list. You can even take a photo of it, and make a note of its condition or if it needs new batteries or anything like that.

That way, if you’re out running around for provisions or at the chandlery, you know exactly what you need. In fact, you may even have the serial number written down! That way you don’t waste money buying supplies you already have, or buying the wrong supplies.

If any of that information needs to be changed, because the item has been moved or you want to document wear and tear, then you just go into the app and search for it. The simplicity is nice. There aren’t very many options, so it’s as hard to get lost while using the app as it is hard to lose the things you have tracked by the app. You can search directly for an item, or you can filter your search by location, category and list.

Whether you’re a chef or an engineer or a stewardess, the app has the potential to simplify your life by freeing up your mind to worry about the more important aspects of your job and your life. Make notes about the expiration dates on the fire extinguishers, or the number of garlic cloves you have on hand.

You can track just about anything you want. That’s the whole idea behind many of the apps designed by Intelligent Maintenance, LLC. The company specializes in developing software – usually in app form – with the motto: “making life easier.”

With this in mind, the company also makes similar apps for “What’s in My Pantry,” “What’s in My Freezer,” “What’s in My Cellar,” “What’s in My Shed,” and “What’s in My Closet,” all of which could actually be more appropriate for than the boat version, depending on the job description.

Obviously, it may make more sense for a chef to have the pantry, freezer and cellar versions, since they’re tailored for that cross-section of user. In the end, though, they all function pretty much the same, using the very same concepts as the What’s on My Boat version. (Although, when it really comes down to it, they’re the very same app with different color schemes.)

The app is available for $1.99 on iOS devices: iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch.