Raymarine has unveiled a new integration connecting its Axiom chartplotters to the widely used Orca navigation app, giving boaters a straightforward way to transfer a planned route from their mobile device directly to their helm display over Wi-Fi. The link is designed to take the hassle out of passage planning by removing the need to manually enter waypoints at the chartplotter.
Central to the integration is Orca's instant routing feature. Skippers select a starting point and destination, and the app calculates the most suitable route based on the vessel's draft, beam, air height, and, for sailing yachts, polar performance data. Weather-aware routing is built in, allowing conditions to be factored in ahead of departure. Once the route looks right, a couple of taps sends it wirelessly to the Axiom, where it can be followed on screen or handed off to a Raymarine autopilot.
Both systems need to be running current software for the connection to work. Axiom owners must update to LightHouse 4.9.330 or later, while Orca should be on version 2025.13 or newer. The Orca app is free and available on both iOS and Android. Setting up the pairing is simple: enable the Axiom's Wi-Fi, scan a QR code with your device, and the two are connected.
A few limitations are worth knowing about. Only one Orca route can be shared to the Axiom at a time, and any changes must be made within the Orca app and resent rather than edited on the chartplotter. The Axiom does allow colour selection, but that is the limit of its editing capability for shared routes. Sending a revised route will overwrite the existing one. Despite those constraints, once a route lands on the Axiom it behaves like any other route on the device, including full compatibility with autopilot control.
For Kiwi boaties, the appeal is straightforward. Whether you're a coastal cruiser hopping between anchorages, a yacht crew refining a race plan, or a fishing crew working out where to head next, the route can be plotted in comfort below decks or in the cockpit and will be waiting at the helm, ready to go.
Raymarine's Vice President of Operations, Michelle Hildyard, says the partnership "eliminates a stressful part of preparing for time on the water" and makes boating "easier and safer, allowing customers to simply enjoy their time afloat."
A video from Raymarine covers the full process, from downloading the app and generating an automatic route using Orca's smart navigation algorithms, to wirelessly transferring it to an Axiom running LightHouse 4.9.330 or later.
Further guidance on configuring the connection is available through Raymarine's LightHouse 4 Advanced Operation Guide and the Orca online help centre, both of which provide step-by-step instructions.
