Practical Navigation Solution for Small Boats: Navionics and iPad?

[Coos-spearo]

I will admit to using google maps as a navigation tool in my kayak when I was caught offshore and the fog came in before I could paddle back to shore. While that worked in a save-my-ass-moment, that was far too dicey, even for me.

I need advice please:
The boats I use in the near shore environment of the Oregon coast are my kayak and a RIB (small Stabicraft). The instructor at a coast guard auxiliary navigation class I took uses Navionics on an iPad. That seems like a practical, portable and budget friendly way to have a solid system.

What tablet and case would you recommend if it were a dedicated navigation instrument?

Any advice is appreciated