Support for Boat Log – GPS Tracking & Marine Weather
Thank you for using Boat Log. This page answers common questions, helps you get set up, and offers troubleshooting tips to ensure reliable background tracking on the water.
What the app does • Automatic voyage logging with GPS (distance, duration, speed, top speed, route) • Marine weather (wind, wave height, direction, period) powered by Open‑Meteo • One‑tap MOB (Man Overboard) marker • Voyage history with details and notes • PDF export of voyages • Optional fuel logging for the same day as a voyage
Getting started
Permissions • When prompted, choose “Allow Always” for Location access and enable “Precise Location.” • Keep “Background App Refresh” turned on for the app. • Allow the app to access your location while the device is locked.
First recording • Open the app and wait a few seconds for a GPS fix (you’ll see the map center on you). • Tap “Start Recording.” • You can lock your phone or switch apps — the app will continue logging in the background.
Marine weather • In the Overview, choose “Current position” or set a “Fixed place.” • Tap the refresh icon to fetch the latest forecast.
Best practices for reliable background tracking • Ensure Location permission is “Always” with “Precise” turned on: • iOS Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services > [Your App] > Allow Location Access: Always, Precise Location: On • Keep Background App Refresh enabled: • iOS Settings > General > Background App Refresh: On • Avoid Low Power Mode on long trips: • iOS Settings > Battery > Low Power Mode: Off • Keep the device in a place with a clear sky view if possible; metal roofs or deep cabins can degrade GPS. • If you open the app briefly during a background trip, lock the phone again — the app continues logging.
If you see straight lines or missing segments A straight line on the map indicates there were no GPS points for a period, and the next valid point connected the route.
Try these steps: • Confirm “Always” + “Precise” location is enabled (see above). • Turn off Low Power Mode for the duration of the trip. • Make sure VPNs, aggressive firewall apps, or Device Management profiles aren’t restricting background activity. • If you recently switched between apps or locked/unlocked the device, give the app 10–20 seconds after relaunch to settle and then lock again. • Keep the app updated to the latest version.
If the issue persists, please contact us (see “Contact support”) with: • Date and local time of the trip • Approximate route and duration • Whether the app was locked/in the background when segments went missing • iPhone model and iOS version • A screenshot of the voyage map showing the straight line
MOB (Man Overboard) • Tap “MOB” to drop a marker at your current location instantly. • The app will try to refine the marker shortly after if a fresher fix is available.
PDF export • Open any voyage, tap “Export PDF,” and share/save the generated report. • The PDF includes the route snapshot, key stats, optional fuel entries, and notes.
Fuel logging • Add fuel entries (date, liters, amount). The voyage detail view shows fills from the same calendar day. • The PDF aggregates the day’s fills and calculates average price per liter.
Privacy • Your location and voyage data are stored locally on your device using Apple’s data technologies. • The app uses Open‑Meteo for weather — only coordinates are used to request forecasts. • We do not sell or share your personal data.
FAQ
Q: Does it work in the background and with the screen locked? A: Yes, provided you’ve granted “Always” location access, enabled Background App Refresh, and the device has adequate GPS signal.
Q: Battery usage? A: Continuous GPS uses power. For long trips, consider charging onboard. Turning off Low Power Mode improves tracking reliability.
Q: How accurate are speeds and distances? A: Accuracy depends on GPS quality and motion. The app filters bad fixes and adapts sampling based on speed and course changes to balance detail and battery.
Q: Can I use it in a car? A: Yes, but the app is tuned for boating. Car testing may behave differently due to road environments and higher speeds. We recommend Always + Precise location and Background App Refresh enabled.
Q: Can I export or share my data? A: Yes, you can export a voyage as a PDF. Additional export options may be added over time.
Q: Do you store my data in the cloud? A: No, data is kept locally on your device.
Known limitations • Poor GPS conditions (deep cabin, heavy shielding, tunnels) can cause temporary gaps. • Very long background sessions with frequent app switching may cause occasional stalls; the app includes safeguards to reduce these.
Contact support • Email: joernolav@gmail.com • Please include: • App version (from Settings or the App Store) • iPhone model and iOS version • Description of the issue and steps to reproduce • Screenshots or a short screen recording (if possible)
Credits • Marine weather data by Open‑Meteo.