The Sailserver 2! Automatic logbook for sailors

More and more often, we received requests for an automatic logbook. In combination with our WiFi multiplexers and smart devices, an entirely logical request of course. And we needed it ourselves too, despite the traditional logbook being in the cards table we often forgot to fill it in and it was often just guesswork some weeks later.

We tested several apps to use icm the Quark-Elec devices, but none of them gave the wow feeling we were looking for. During our search, we came across the SailServer 2, a beautiful device with many more interesting features than just an automatic logbook.

After a nice contact with Jorg, the creator and producer of the Sailserver, we purchased some to test. By the way, Jorg is a passionate sailor and has won Danish and Norwegian championships in the 470 and 505 classes.

After delivery, we were actually enthusiastic straight away, the box and the way of packaging really fit in with our sustainable way of working and thinking.

Plug and play

Commissioning is simple, just a matter of plugging the drop cable into the NMEA2000 backbone and the whole thing is up and running immediately. Despite the built-in modem (prepaid SIM card), we immediately connected to our Starlink router. This too was quite simple and doable for a layman. Then it was a matter of downloading the Sailserver app, creating an account and linking the whole thing together via a simple code.

The app itself takes some getting used to and has room for improvement in some areas but it all works very well and looks graphically attractive.

With its built-in GPS receiver and antenna, the Sailserver automatically starts logging the moment the mooring ropes are untied and you sail out of the box. Ideal, but as mentioned earlier, there are even more features on board! NMEA2000 data such as depth, wind speed, wind angle, battery status, water temp, heading etc. These are not only recorded in the logbook but can also be seen 'real-time' from home or wherever you are.

On top of this, the Sailserver also has an anchor alarm, which we are very keen on. We are fanatical anchors and so we regularly disembark. A standard anchor alarm app then immediately has its limitations because they only work when you are also on board. Not the Sailserver, which provides anchor alarms via SMS or e-mail even when you are not on board. The maximum drift, wind or depth alarm can all be set as desired. Really quite a reassurance now!

Ordering a sailing server

And all this for a purchase price of just €89, and are there any drawbacks then? No, except maybe the subscription. It is free and inclusive for the first year, then €89 per year or €249 for 3 years. Is this necessary for the Sailserver to function? No, without it you do miss the upload to the cloud and the option to share your trips with friends, family and acquaintances. But that doesn't detract from how well the Sailserver works. Truly a top device the Sailserver 2!