From Lightbulb to Launch
This is how SailTies started—two mates, Chris and Tom, both passionate about sailing, standing in a marina talking about how frustrating it was to lose logbook records, misplace crew photos, and forget the finer details of a great trip. With backgrounds in design and development, they realised they could do something about it. So, they did. What began as a side project quickly turned into something bigger—a way for sailors to digitally log and share their sailing experiences in a format that’s both practical and meaningful. From your first solo sail to bluewater passages with crew, SailTies lets you build a living log of your time on the water—complete with GPS tracking, photos, crew tags, qualifications, and even sea stories. “We didn’t want to replace the tradition of the logbook—we just wanted to protect it, modernise it, and make it easier to keep your story safe.”
Where SailTies Is Today
Fast forward a few years, and SailTies has grown into a global community. "We’re proud to be working closely with Sail Canada, offering their members easy access to SailTies Plus and helping promote digital logbooks across the country’s clubs and sailing schools. We’re still a small, independent team—but that’s by choice. It allows us to stay close to our users, listen to feedback, and build features that genuinely matter to real sailors. The app is free to use, and for those who want a bit more, SailTies Plus offers extras like weather overlays, voyage collections, and enhanced media uploads. It’s all about giving you more ways to document and share your experience. We love hearing how SailTies is helping sailors build their CVs, connect with crew, and relive their best days on the water. That’s why we do this.
"For us, this is a full-circle moment. When you complete your day skipper you are kind of left to find more opportunities to get out on the water usually involving painful hours trawling Facebook and traditional Crew matching sites. We want to be able to make going sailing as easy as booking cinema tickets. I’m free this weekend.. what's available.... review opportunities (with trust as you can see their full ST profile) tap a button and my SailTies profile is sent to a skipper to see if I can join.
How SailTies Works (Practically Speaking)
"We designed SailTies to be as easy and intuitive as possible—something you can use in real-time on the water, or when you’re back ashore reflecting on the trip with a cuppa in hand. Here’s how most sailors use it:
• Track in Real Time – Just hit “Start Tracking” when you set off, and SailTies logs your route using GPS. It automatically records distance, speed, and timing—no fiddling with paper and pens while underway.
• Add Photos & Notes – Snap photos during your trip, and the app tags them to your voyage timeline. You can also write up highlights or details—what the weather was doing, who was on board, any funny or hairy moments.
• Log Past Voyages – Forgot to track in real time? No problem. You can manually add trips later or import GPX files from other apps or your chartplotter. SailTies also supports bulk uploads, which is handy if you’re backfilling your sailing history.
• Build Your Sailing CV – Every voyage you log adds to your personal sailing record. Over time, this becomes your digital “Sailor CV”—with total miles, boat types, roles onboard (e.g. skipper, crew), and any qualifications or courses completed.
• Connect with Crew – You can tag your crewmates in voyages (if they’re using SailTies too), and they’ll see the trip in their own log as well. It’s a great way to build shared memories—and even verify experience for future opportunities.
• Upgrade for Extras (Optional) – The free version gives you everything you need to track and store your voyages. But if you want extras like weather overlays, collections, and more media storage, SailTies Plus unlocks those features.
“Whether you’re day sailing, racing, delivering boats, or just learning the ropes—SailTies is here to help you keep your sailing story safe and simple.”
A Final Word from the Founders
"SailTies is still growing, and we’re grateful every day to the sailors who trust us with their stories. Whether you log every voyage or just your highlights, this is your space. If you haven’t tried SailTies yet—give it a go. And if you’re already part of the community, thank you. Your feedback, ideas, and stories are what keep us building."
See you on the water, Chris & Tom Founders, SailTies