Quick Help

Getting Started

Tap + in the toolbar to create your first entry. From there you can add photos from your library or camera, capture GPS coordinates for departure and arrival, import a GPX track from Files or AirDrop, record a track on-device while you sail, and log passage events along the way.

Managing Entries

Tap an entry to view it, then tap Edit to make changes. Swipe left to delete. Use the search field at the top of the list to find entries by title, location, or crew.

Passage Events

Record moments during a passage — sail changes, weather shifts, sightings, or notes. Events are timestamped and optionally GPS-tagged, and appear as chips on the entry detail view. Attach events to an existing entry or start a new one.

Track Recorder

Tap Record in the sidebar (iPad/Mac) or toolbar (iPhone) to start recording your sailing passage. SailorsLog captures GPS fixes in the background, even with the screen locked. When you stop, attach the recording to any logbook entry — the trace appears on the entry's map. A segmented control on the recorder screen lets you pick recording detail (50, 100, 250, or 500 m between fixes) to balance precision against battery life.

Important: Do not swipe SailorsLog out of the app switcher while a recording is in progress. iOS treats that as "stop running this app" and will not re-launch it. If it happens, a Resume / Finalise / Discard prompt fires the next time you open the app — that is a fallback path, not the primary one. Recordings stay on the device that captured them until you attach them to a logbook entry; they do not sync between devices in the pool. The Track Recorder is included in the Skipper subscription.

Subscription & Cloud Backup

Your first 10 entries are free and stored locally on your device. Skipper (€29/year) unlocks unlimited entries with iCloud backup, multi-device sync, and watermark-free postcards. To restore a previous purchase, go to Settings → Subscription → Restore Purchases.

Data & Privacy

All entries are stored in your private iCloud account (Apple CloudKit). You can export everything as Markdown via Settings → Export All Entries, or delete all content under Settings → Danger Zone.

Troubleshooting

Sailor's Note: SailorsLog is developed by a sailor crew. Response times are typically 2–7 days as we may be at sea with limited connectivity. Thank you for your patience.

Sync Issues

Make sure you're signed in with the same Apple ID on all devices and that iCloud is enabled for SailorsLog (Settings → [Your Name] → iCloud). Initial sync requires an internet connection. If entries still aren't appearing, force quit and restart the app.

GPS Not Working

Check that location permissions are enabled for SailorsLog (Settings → Privacy → Location Services). GPS works best outdoors with a clear sky view — give it a few seconds to acquire a signal.

Photos Not Loading

Confirm photo library permissions are enabled (Settings → Privacy → Photos → SailorsLog). If you use iCloud Photos, make sure photos are downloaded to the device. Large photos may take a moment to upload. Maximum 10 photos per entry.

App Crashes or Freezes

Update to the latest version from the App Store, restart your device, and make sure you have free storage space. If the issue persists, contact support with your device model and iOS version.

Known Limitations

Photos are automatically compressed (max 10 MB each, 10 per entry). GPX files can be up to 5 MB. The app works fully offline — sync happens automatically when you're back online.

Refunds

All purchases are processed through Apple. To request a refund, visit reportaproblem.apple.com, sign in with your Apple ID, find SailorsLog, and select "Request a refund." Apple typically responds within 48 hours.

Contact

Have an idea or need help? Reach out at support@sailorslog.io. For feature requests, put "Feature Request" in the subject line. Response times are typically 2–7 days — we are sailors.

When reporting an issue, please include your device model, OS version, SailorsLog version (Settings → About), a description, and screenshots if applicable.

Fair winds and following seas.
Thank you for using SailorsLog to document your sailing adventures.