Info

FAQ

Who is the app made for?

Primarily sailors and cruisers, but also day sailors, racers and anyone who finds tracking and sharing trip data useful — including social media content.

What is Sailing Companion?

Sailing Companion is an iOS app that helps sailors track their voyages, view real-time data, and manage their sailing trips — all from their iPhone or iPad.

Is my data stored online?

No. All your sailing data stays on your device. Sailing Companion works fully local (except using maps) and does not upload your tracks or personal information to any server.

Does the app require an internet connection?

Most features work offline, including tracking, cockpit and anchor alarm. An internet connection is only needed to load and refresh maps.

When at anchor, does swinging add to the total trip distance?

No. As soon as you drop the anchor in the app, distance tracking pauses automatically. Your total trip distance reflects only the distance actually sailed, not the movement of your boat while at anchor.

Why do I have gaps in the GPS track?

A weak GPS signal can cause your device to lose its position fix. In that case the app does not record a timestamp or position — instead it logs when the signal was lost and when it was regained. This information is also included in your exported files (GPX, CSV, JSON).

What is the difference between COURSE (GPS) and COMPASS?

COURSE refers to the calculated course over ground (COG) using the last two track points, while COMPASS accesses your device's compass sensor data directly and thus shows the magnetic course.

What is the best way to use Sailing Companion?

Keep your device charged or connected to a charger. For best GPS accuracy, place it on deck in the cockpit — signal reception below deck can be noticeably weaker.

Is there an iPad version of Sailing Companion?

Not at the moment, but it is on our roadmap.

Is the app available on Android?

Currently, Sailing Companion is available exclusively on iOS. An Android version is not yet available.

How do I report a bug or suggest a feature?

Please use the contact form to get in touch. We read every message and appreciate your feedback!

Can I use Sailing Companion for racing?

Yes, the app tracks your position and speed in real time, making it suitable for both leisure sailing and racing scenarios.

What is the best way to manage multi-day trips?

You have two good options:

1. Start and end the trip each day in the app — this gives you daily logs and GPS data. You'll end up with separate files per day, which makes it easy to review individual legs.
2. Keep the trip running and use the GPS recording switch on the trip tab to pause recording when you need to — for example overnight at anchor or when you leave the boat.

Both approaches work fully offline. Pick the one that fits your style.