What are your best options for using your iPhone safely while racing? Newer iPhones (iPhone 12 and later) carry an IP68 rating, meaning they can survive up to 19.6 feet (six meters) of water for 30 minutes. But you need to minimize your phone’s exposure to salt water, and you may want a good waterproof case for each option. We’ve been using our phones in 3 different ways:
- Waterproof phone case stored in your life jacket’s front pocket
- Attaching the phone in a waterproof case to a sturdy armband
- Adding small bar magnets to the back of your phone case and mounting it on a small galvanized steel sheet on your bulkhead
If you are concerned with using your iPhone on a sailboat, leave it below and use an Apple Watch on deck. If you prefer the larger screen, consider using an old backup iPhone or purchasing a reconditioned phone. At Pathfinder, we have also purchased small, inexpensive iPhone 12 Minis and iPhone SEs for testing. You can get these online through sources like Plug or eBay’s Refurbished Smartphone program. These phones can be purchased for as low as $200 and often come with a one-year warranty.
Magnetic Cases
One of our preferred ways to use the iPhone while sailing is using a magnetic case, such as the Rokform case, and attaching it to a galvanized metal sheet with an adhesive back attached to a bulkhead or other flat surface. This stays put remarkably well.
I have been using Rokform magnetic cases for some time with my iPhone 12 Mini and 15. It’s a great water-resistant, heavy-duty case. I often opt for the waterproof case route on wet and windy days.
An iPhone in a magnetic case mounted
to a 3′ x 6″ galvanized steel plate
Rokform magnetic case for an iPhone
Affix a small galvanized steel plate (this is
3″ x 6″ to a bulkhead) for a strong hold
Waterproof Cases
If you prefer the waterproof case route, you might consider this Beidi waterproof case that we have used in conjunction with small magnet bars, or 1″ square magnets, that can be attached to the back of the phone case via an adhesive backing.
Armbands
Many professional sailors use small iPhones or even older Apple iPod touch devices mounted on a sturdy armband. Our preferred armband is the LifeProof Armband with QuickMount.
