FAQ
The questions we get asked
What the comfort score is worth, where the numbers behind it come from, and what a plan costs. If your question is not here, write to us and it will be.
The product
Planning, navigation and your boat
From choosing a departure day to finding your way on the water.
Does Bonasea support sailboats?
The current version of Bonasea does not support sailboats.
Does this replace my official nautical charts?
No. Bonasea supports planning and decisions on board. Its comfort score estimates how a trip will feel; it does not decide whether it is safe to depart. Keep your official charts and publications, check local warnings and use your own judgement.
How the chart is builtCan I switch to knots and feet?
Yes. Choose units separately for speed, distance, depth, fuel and temperature: knots, km/h or mph; nautical miles or kilometres; feet or metres; gallons or litres; °F or °C. Times follow the route’s local time zone.
Does it work offline?
Paid plans include offline maps and weather. Download a region and your saved-route forecasts before leaving. Maps, places, depth, distance to shore and tides remain available without a signal, with navigation calculations on the phone. A connection is needed for fresh weather data and region updates. Free does not include offline maps or weather.
What languages is the app in?
English, Slovak, German, Italian, French, Spanish and Croatian. You can change the language in Settings independently of your units.
Which devices and onboard instruments does it work with?
Use Bonasea in a browser on your phone, tablet or computer, or in the Android and iOS apps. Your account carries your boats, routes and favourite places between devices. A compatible WiFi gateway connects Signal K or NMEA 2000 instruments for depth, speed, heading and wind. AIS targets include closest point of approach and time to closest approach alerts.
Data and accuracy
Charts, depths and accuracy
Where every number on the screen comes from, and how far to trust it.
Where do the depths come from, and how accurate are they?
Regional depth data comes from sources including EMODnet in Europe, NOAA in the United States, AusSeabed in Australia and LINZ in New Zealand, with GEBCO for broader coverage. Resolution and coverage vary, and modelled depths are not a survey of every bay. Tide corrections use the local vertical reference. Check the source and coverage, and give your echo sounder and official charts priority over the model.
What is covered whereWhat is included in the chart and navigation?
Free includes US maps, route planning, a 10-day forecast, live location sharing and night mode, with up to 10 saved routes, 10 saved trip records and 10 favourite points. Paid plans add global maps, offline maps and weather, anchor watch and the full navigation features. Weekly excludes multi-day trips.
Browse the regionsDoes it handle tides and currents?
Yes. Bonasea predicts tide height, high and low water, depth under the keel along the route and depth at anchor. Currents affect speed over ground, ETA and comfort when wind opposes the flow. Tidal-current predictions and slack-water windows help you plan passages through tidal waters; tide thresholds can rule out departure times with too little water.
What is covered whereWhere is my data stored, and what happens to my position?
Account data, saved routes, favourite places and saved logbook entries are stored on our servers in the European Union, with daily backups and an encrypted off-site copy. Trip tracks are recorded on your phone and uploaded when you choose to save a trip to the logbook. Live location sharing keeps the latest position until the link expires or you revoke it. Usage statistics are linked to your account and can be switched off; they do not contain precise positions or route coordinates.
Can I add a place or report a problem on the map?
Yes. Add an anchorage, swimming spot, restaurant, marina, mooring field or point of interest through Community, with a review and photos. You can report missing places, hazards, fuel docks or changes in conditions. Contributions and reports are moderated, and a place’s summary combines reviews rather than treating one visit as the whole picture. You can also write to us about a data correction.
Write to usAccount and billing
Plans, sign-in and your account
Free, paid plans and the account you use across your devices.
What do the plans cost?
Free includes US maps and route planning, a 10-day forecast, live location sharing and night mode. You can save up to 10 routes, 10 trip records and 10 favourite points. It does not include offline maps and weather, anchor watch or global maps. Weekly costs $9.90 for seven days and excludes multi-day trips. Charter costs $19.90 for fourteen days and Pro $49.90 per year, both with full functionality. Only Pro renews automatically each year. Applicable taxes are excluded.
What the plans costDo the plans renew automatically?
Only Pro renews automatically each year, unless you cancel the renewal. Weekly and Charter end after their stated periods and do not renew automatically. Free has no automatic charges.
What the plans costHow do I sign in?
Use Google, Apple, an email code or a password. Email codes are valid for ten minutes, and you can link sign-in methods to the same account. You can export your account data or delete your account in the app.
Can I have several boats and personalise the comfort score?
Yes. Save separate profiles and switch the active boat; comfort, depth warnings and fuel estimates use that boat. Choose a model from the database or enter your own parameters, then set your crew’s comfort preference. Phone-sensor measurements and feedback after trips help calibrate the model. Personal calibration adapts the score to you and each boat, while strong-wind and official-warning limits remain in place.
Find your day on the water.
Set your boat up once, and every route you care about gets a ten-day answer.
Start with Free when it lands. No card required.