Free software for managing a sailing yacht
The Yacht Management Software (YMS) originated from discussions in german sailing forum. The focus was on inventory lists, projects, and maintenance. This quickly led to the requirements for such a system, which was designed from the outset to run on an onboard computer – typically a Raspberry Pi.
For smaller sailing yachts, space for paper documentation is limited, and the humid environment on board means that paper documents don't last. Manuals, drawings, invoices, photos, and other documents should therefore be available digitally and directly linked to the relevant items on the yacht.
During development, the following principles are consistently applied: KISS principle (Keep It Simple, Stupid) This has been followed. Only the absolutely necessary data is requested during the initial data entry. Further information can be added later.
It's also not necessary to use all areas of YMS. The individual modules can be used independently. Everyone can limit YMS to the areas that are actually needed for their own yacht and their own use case.
YMS is designed as free software and is developed as an open-source project.
Your boat. Your data. Your software.
The modules of YMS
YMS consists of different areas that can be used independently of each other.
- yacht – Master data and technical data of your own yacht
- equipment – Management of the yacht's permanently installed equipment, including technical data, manufacturer information and other details
- inventory – Management of loose inventory on board, including quantities, condition and storage location
- Storage space – Illustration of the storage locations on board and the boxes or crates contained therein.
- documentation – Management of photos, drawings, invoices, PDFs, manuals and other documents
- Provisions – Management of food and other supplies, including quantities, storage location, shelf life, and target stock levels.
- maintenance – Recording and managing maintenance work on the yacht and its equipment
- projects – Planning and management of larger projects with time and cost estimates
- Tasks – Managing individual tasks and responsibilities with priority, deadline, and accountability
- Technical information – Recording of cables, fuses and measurements
- Companies – Management of manufacturers, suppliers, shipyards and other companies
- Notes – Additional information on tasks, maintenance and equipment
Components of YMS
YMS consists of several separate components:
Database
The structured data from YMS is stored in a MariaDB database stored. This includes, for example, the yacht's master data, equipment, inventory, storage locations, provisions, maintenance, projects and tasks.
Document filing
Documents and images are not stored in the database itself, but in the file system The database contains information about the documents and their assignment to the respective objects.
Native GUI
For direct operation via the on-board computer, there is a native graphical user interface. It is designed for use on the computer directly on board. User accounts for the web GUI are created exclusively via the native GUI. The native GUI runs within the trusted context of the onboard computer as a system user, thus enabling fast and immediate access to all information. The native GUI is used in python and GTK3 programmed.
Web GUI
Additionally, YMS has a Web GUI. It allows access via a browser and therefore also from other devices on the vehicle network, such as a tablet or smartphone. The web GUI is provided via a web server. The web GUI is equipped with PHP and Bootstrap programmed.
Installation and system environment
YMS is designed to run on an on-board computer. A standard platform is used. Raspberry Pi This is planned. All components required for YMS can be operated together there. The YMS documentation describes operation with Raspberry Pi OS, MariaDB, and a web server for the web GUI.
YMS can be run on the same computer alongside other applications. Possible environments include, for example... OpenPlotter, BoatOS, Bareboat Necessities or a direct installation of a Signal-K Servers. Other Linux-based onboard computer systems can also be used.
Current project status 08/2026
The system is currently under development and is in version 0.2 The basic architecture and essential modules are already implemented in the web GUI.
The project is still in an early stage of development. Features are continuously being added and further developed. Feedback and experiences from practical use are therefore expressly welcome and will be incorporated into the further development of YMS.