JourSail: An Electronic Logbook for iPhone and iPod Touch

Two German developers, Medienkonzepte and RockAByte, created JourSail to meet the growing demand for mobile, easy-to-use tools for sailors and boaters. Designed specifically for Apple’s iPhone and iPod Touch, JourSail turns these portable devices into an electronic logbook that captures key navigation and voyage details using built-in device features like GPS, the clock, and interactive maps.

JourSail is intended to simplify how you record and share your journeys on the water. The app logs route information and relevant trip parameters, allowing users to configure the number of daily entries and to record details such as course, individual legs of a passage, wind speed and wave height. By leveraging the iPhone and iPod Touch GPS and mapping capabilities, the application automatically tracks position and time, helping you build a consistent and accurate digital sailing log without constantly writing notes by hand.

The interface focuses on clarity and practical features for sailors who want an organized record of their outings. Once entries are recorded, the log can be exported and emailed in a clean, easy-to-read format—useful for sharing progress with family and friends, documenting passages for safety or regulatory needs, or simply keeping a personal archive of voyages. When your device is connected to a PC or Mac, JourSail stores and backs up the log records automatically, making data retention and transfer straightforward.

Why Use an Electronic Logbook?

Using an electronic logbook like JourSail offers several practical advantages for recreational sailors, day cruisers, and anyone who wants to maintain accurate voyage records:

• Automatic position and time stamping via GPS and the device clock.
• Customizable entry frequency and the ability to document individual legs and courses.
• Recording of environmental and navigational details such as wind speed and wave height.
• Easy export and sharing of trip reports by email in a tidy format.
• Automatic backup when connecting the device to a computer, reducing the risk of data loss.

These capabilities make it easier to maintain a continuous and reliable record of voyages without interrupting the sailing experience. The app is particularly handy for short coastal trips, day sails, and longer passages where a consistent log helps with navigation, trip planning, and post-trip review.

Availability and Purchasing

JourSail has been offered through Apple’s iTunes App Store. At the time of release, the app was priced at $5.99. For information about current availability, updates, or language options, consult the official JourSail website: www.joursail.com (click the English icon in the top right corner).

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This article originally appeared in the October 2009 issue.