Choose your transponder/app

The first thing you'll need to do in order to use SailTracker is to get a GPS Transponder or App. If you have an iPhone, an Android phone, a Nokia S60 series Symbian phone, or a Motorola i290/i335 you are able to add an app in order to link your existing phone with SailTracker.

The above apps are written by third parties and are not free. However, both the iPhone and Android apps are under $10, so are significantly less expensive than a dedicated tracking phone. Follow these links for the iPhone app, the Android app or the Nokia S60 app

If you happen to have an older Motorola i290 or i335 phone there is a free app available for it. However, there is no app store, so installing this requires a bit more effort. If you have this phone and want to sign up for SailTracker, contact me and we'll get the app installed on your phone.

If none of the above fits your situation you have a couple of options. The first is to ask your crew if they have one of the supported phones - if so, for $10 your problem is solved. If not, you can purchase a "GPS phone transponder" through me with the app pre-loaded. This package consists of a used Motorola i290 or i335 phone, a new battery, a SIM card with one month's credit, and a pre-installed/pre-configured app. For King Harbor racers, and for anyone participating in a King Harbor Yacht Club-sponsored race, I do this at my cost (about $60). For more information on acquiring this system, look here or contact me.

Tips for getting good GPS tracking results

Battery. No matter which phone you end up using for your transponder you'll want to be sure you have a way to keep it running. The GPS function does drain the battery on the phone at an increased rate. The Motorola i290 lasts about 12-14 hours with the app running, and the iPhone and Android phones last fewer hours than that. If your yacht has a power invertor you can use the phone's wall charger to keep it going; if not, acquire a cigarette lighter adapter (if your boat has a power port fitted) or buy an auxiliary battery booster pack. In the Accessories section you can find a selection of battery packs. These can also be found on eBay or some electronics stores such as Fry's.

Signal. It's also important that the phone has good skyview. The fewer things between it and the sky result in the most accurate GPS location and speed information as well as the best chance to get a mobile phone carrier signal in order to uplink data to the SailTracker website. A Pelican case strapped to an exposed location on the boat keeps the phone dry, secure and with the best possible signal.

If you acquired the Transponder phone package through this website then you are already registered and in the system. See instructions about how to use your Motorola tracker phone here.

If you purchased a third party app for your existing phone you'll need to configure the app to send it's data to the SailTracker website. See the specific section for your phone on the main Sailtracker page. Contact me in order to activate your tracker phone in the tracking system. You'll have to provide some information about your boat (email/contact info, skipper's name, type of yacht, sail number) which can be entered in the database; once this is received your phone will be added and you'll be emailed a confirmation. Prior to race day (once registration is over and all classes are finalized) you'll be notified of your assigned map pin number and/or color.

Now you are ready to start using your tracker.