BoatLog: Voyage LogbookSupport
Passage did not start on its own, did not close when you got back alongside, or the fuel figures look off? Most of it comes down to your berth setup and location permissions, and the answers below cover what we are asked most. If yours is not here, drop us a line and a person will reply.
FAQ
The log does not start when I leave the berth.
First check that you have actually saved a berth. BoatLog decides you have departed by measuring how far you are from your saved mooring, so with no berth set there is nothing to depart from. Then check that location access is set to Always: on While Using, the track stops the moment you put the phone in your pocket. There is also a short delay before departure is confirmed, so on a day when the record really matters, just start the passage by hand.
I am back on the mooring but the passage is still running.
The app looks at both your distance from the berth and whether you have settled there, so tying up in an unfamiliar harbour, or leaving the app closed for a while after you get in, can hold a passage open longer than you expect. You can close it by hand at any time, and adding the harbours you use regularly as berths means they close themselves next time.
What does it do to the battery?
GPS runs for as long as you are underway, so it does use a fair amount. For a full day out, plan on a power bank or the boat's own supply. Recording stops once your return is detected, so GPS is not left running afterwards, though it is worth a glance after a long passage to confirm the log has closed.
How does it work out fuel consumption?
From your logged fill-ups and the distance covered between them, the same idea as brim-to-brim. Filling right up every time gives the steadiest figures; a skipped fill or a partial one will throw a number off. Consumption per engine hour is shown as well, which is usually the more telling figure if you spend your time trolling or lying at anchor rather than covering ground.
Does it work well offshore with no signal?
Yes. Track recording runs off GPS alone and carries on with no mobile coverage. Weather data does need a connection, so the conditions may be missing for the stretch you were out of range, but your track, distance run and speeds are all recorded.
Will this app keep me safe?
No. BoatLog records and reviews passages; it cannot call for help or raise an alert on your behalf. The float plan and the notifications about staying put are there to help someone notice sooner, nothing more. Carry a VHF, wear your lifejacket and tell someone your plans exactly as you would without this app, and confirm survey and inspection dates with the official source rather than the reminder.