FAQ

Yes! Creating an account, registering your boat, using the maintenance log, and participating in the community feed are all completely free for boat owners.

HelmPlanet was built by a lifelong sailor with over 20 years of software development experience, including time as a Lead R&D AI Engineer in the maritime industry. The platform was created to solve real problems boat owners face with maintenance tracking and buying/selling vessels.

Registering your boat gives it a "digital home." You can track all your maintenance history, log expenses, document upgrades, and store receipts in one secure place. When it comes time to sell, a well-documented maintenance history on HelmPlanet can significantly increase your boat's resale value and buyer confidence.

You can track everything. Our maintenance log includes predefined schedules for common tasks (like engine oil changes, rigging inspections, and battery checks) across categories like Electrical, Mechanical, Plumbing, Electronics, and Cosmetics. You can log costs, attach receipts and photos, and set reminders for upcoming due dates.

You have control over your privacy. When you add a boat, you can choose whether it is visible in the public Boat Search or kept private. Even if your boat is public, you can choose which specific maintenance records are visible to others and which remain private for your eyes only.

Yes. If you decide to sell your boat, you can easily update its status to "For Sale." Because your boat's specifications and maintenance history are already in the system, creating a comprehensive, trustworthy listing takes only seconds.

Typical broker sites stop at make, model, and price. HelmPlanet's Advanced Boat Search allows you to filter by the technical specifications that actually matter to you. You can search by custom ranges for draft, length, beam, cruising speed, hull material, fuel type, and specific features (like watermakers or lithium banks).

When viewing a boat on HelmPlanet, you can request a Boat Report. If the owner has maintained their digital log on the platform, this report provides a transparent look at the vessel's history, maintenance records, and upgrades, giving you unprecedented confidence before making an offer or hiring a surveyor.

Every public boat profile features a "Talk to the Captain" or "Contact Broker" button. This allows you to send a direct message to the owner or the listing broker right through the HelmPlanet platform.

HelmPlanet puts your listings in front of a highly engaged community of serious boaters. Our advanced search filters ensure your boats are found by buyers looking for exactly what you are selling. Plus, our platform provides you with a professional Broker Profile to showcase your brand, credentials, and active listings in one place.

Yes. The Broker Dashboard provides per-listing view count statistics, allowing you to see exactly how much traffic each of your boats is generating. You can track active listings, pending requests, and monitor your performance over time.

Buyers can contact you directly through your dedicated Broker Profile or via the "Contact Broker" button on any of your individual boat listings. Inquiries are routed directly to you so you can respond at your convenience.

You can apply for a broker account by visiting the "For Brokers" page and clicking "Apply for a Broker Account." We offer competitive, transparent pricing designed specifically to help brokers succeed in the digital marketplace.

The Feed is our community hub where sailors and boat owners share knowledge, experiences, and stories. It is categorized into topics like Passage Planning, Maintenance, Equipment, Destinations, Foods, Events, and Lifestyle.

Yes! If you find a boat you admire or a sailor whose posts you enjoy, you can click "Follow" on their profile. Their updates and public boat changes will then appear in your personalized "My Feeds" section.