How to install Sailserver 1

If you have a Sailserver 2, then you can find the installation guide here

Inside the box:

  • 1 Sailserver device with SIM card
  • 1 GSM antenna for the mobile network
  • 1 green connector for NMEA183 and SeaTalk 1 (attached to Sailserver)
  • 1 NMEA 2000 cable

Take care to note down or take a picture of your Sailserver ID which you will find on the back of your Sailserver device. You will need your Sailserver ID during the registration process and to link your boat.

Sailserver can be connected to modern instruments via NMEA 2000 or SeaTalk NG, and also to classic instruments via NMEA 0183 or SeaTalk 1.

Sailserver will still work if not connected to the instruments on your boat, however exclusively using data from its internal GPS.

Status LED
On the front of Sailserver is a status LED which will help you during the installation process and to identify any errors.

  • GREEN light - Valid GPS position found.
  • RED light - No GPS position found yet.
  • BLUE light - Temporary state. The number of flashes is not relevant.
  • 1 fashs - Sailserver is online.
  • 2 flashes - Sailserver is temporarily not online.
  • 3 flashes - Sailserver is starting up or no Internet.
  • 4 flashes - Sailserver has experienced an error during start-up.

Sailserver connected to NMEA 2000 network

NMEA 2000 allows instruments from different suppliers to be connected together. NMEA 2000 is based on a simple cable called the backbone to which the instruments are connected via a drop cable. The backbone cable is connected to 12V power supply which in turn provides each of the instruments with supply voltage. 

SeaTalk NG from Raymarine and SimNet from SIMRAD are also on the NMEA 2000 network but use different connector types.

We supply most of the connectors and cables needed to connect your Sailserver to the instruments on your boat.

Connect your Sailserver to a free port in the backbone via the cable which comes included with Sailserver. If there is no port available, use a T-connector. You can find T-connectors and multi T-connectors on our webshop.



Sailserver connected older boat instruments

Sailserver can also connect to boat instruments with SeaTalk 1 from Raymarine and NMEA 0183 from other boat instruments. Sailserver has 1 NMEA 0183 input (RS485).

Connect Sailserver to 12V power supply via the NMEA 2000 connector.

You can use the NMEA 2000 cable provided by cutting off the connector which will NOT be connected to Sailserver. Strip the cable and connect to 12V on the boat’s fuse panel. Red to + and black to -.

Instrument connections can be seen in the illustration below.


Sailserver without connection to other boat instruments

Sailserver will also work without a connection to the other instruments on your boat, however data recorded by these instruments will not be entered into the log in such case.

To install Sailserver, connect it to 12V power supply via the NMEA 2000 connector.

You can use the NMEA 2000 cable provided by cutting off the connector which will NOT be connected to Sailserver. Strip the cable and connect to 12V on the boat’s fuse panel. Red to + and black to -.




Connect Sailserver to the Internet

Sailserver comes with a prepaid SIM card which provides Internet access across most of the world for at least 10 years.

The antenna provided connects to the GSM connector.

If you are sailing in an area where there is no coverage, you can either use a different SIM card or connect Sailserver to a router via an Ethernet cable.

Data consumption is around 20 MB per month if your Sailserver is switched on around the clock. Disconnect the power supply to your Sailserver before changing the SIM card. The SIM card must not be locked with a PIN code.

The LED indicates whether Sailserver is connected to the Internet.

Create an account

Select LOG IN from the menu at the top of the page. To create a new account, click on 'Sign Up Here' and follow the instructions on the screen.

Once your account has been created, you can then choose to use our Sailserver app for Android or iOS.


After logging in, the next step is to link Sailserver with your boat. To do this, you will need your Sailserver ID which can be found on the back of your Sailserver device.

Once logged in, you can then select 'Account' / 'Boat' from the menu.

Press the button on your Sailserver and the LED will flash blue.

Sailserver will now connect to sailserver.com and let you know when it is ready to be connected to your boat. This can take up to a minute.

Select 'Add Boat' in order to add your boat and follow the instructions which appear on screen.

When it says 'OK' this means that Sailserver is linked to your boat and you are ready to set sail!

Each time you complete a trip, it will be recorded in the logbook. Your boat will need to be stationary for approx. five minutes before the trip will be recognised as complete. If the boat sails on within 30 minutes, the trip will continue.