The traditional logbook has long served as a sailor’s essential companion—tracking engine hours, recording waypoints, or just noting down that time the autopilot decided to take the afternoon off. But with modern onboard systems generating more data than ever, keeping tabs on a boat’s full story has become… well, a lot.
Enter the new Sailsense Logbook, a digital upgrade designed to automatically document the details of your time on the water—without you having to lift a pencil (or tap a screen). From movement tracking to maintenance reminders, this system quietly builds a timeline of each voyage, logging everything from the mundane to the memorable.
How It Works
Once installed, the Sailsense Hub connects to your boat’s NMEA 2000 network and starts listening. The system detects when your boat gets underway, and from there, it automatically compiles a detailed record: routes, timestamps, alerts, and performance data, all presented in an intuitive app-based timeline. Think of it as a living logbook that starts writing the moment you cast off.
If you’re the kind of sailor who likes to know exactly what happened at Mile 12 (say, when the RPMs spiked and your crew discovered a mystery vibration), the Logbook’s “replay mode” lets you scroll back in time—complete with telemetry data like depth, speed, engine load, battery levels, and more.
And when something does go sideways—say an engine overheat or a full holding tank—the system logs it with before-and-after context and generates simple graphs that help explain what happened and why. It’s a practical tool not just for troubleshooting, but also for improving safety and long-term maintenance planning.
Beyond the Numbers
Of course, not every important onboard moment shows up on a sensor. The Logbook also supports manual entries: photos, notes, even videos or PDFs. Whether it’s a marina receipt, a successful repair, or your kid’s first solo tack, it’s easy to categorize and save these moments alongside the technical stuff.
You can filter trips by date or type, and export a tidy PDF version for insurance, resale, or just sharing the latest crossing with your crew. The idea is simple: everything in one place, ready when you need it.
Connected Cruising
The Sailsense system also ties into the broader app ecosystem, offering features like real-time remote monitoring, onboard system control, and AI-assisted navigation advice. It includes security tools like BoatGuard and AnchorWatch, plus onboard automation that lets you manage lights, pumps, and switches directly from your phone.
For skippers managing fleets or boats in charter, this kind of centralized data can be invaluable. For the rest of us, it’s a way to simplify boat ownership and spend more time sailing—and less time scratching our heads wondering when we last topped off the fuel or changed that impeller.
Getting Started
The Sailsense Logbook is available now via the Sailsense app for iOS and Android. To unlock the full feature set, including automatic logging and telemetry tracking, you’ll need the Sailsense Hub installed on your boat. Setup is reportedly plug-and-play—just connect it to your NMEA network and a constant power supply.Is it a replacement for your trusty leather-bound log? Not necessarily. But for sailors looking to take advantage of the data already flowing through their boats—and put it to work in useful, organized ways—the Sailsense Logbook offers a modern take on a classic tradition.
To access the full features of the Sailsense Logbook, download the app on your App Store or Google Play, and sign in to get started.
