User-defined Fields
Every boat is unique — different systems, different equipment, different operational needs. TheBoatApp's Custom Fields feature acknowledges this reality by empowering users to extend any standard data record with their own bespoke data attributes, going well beyond the built-in fields that come out of the box.
Rather than being constrained to a one-size-fits-all data structure, users can define, name, and configure additional fields that reflect the specific characteristics of their boat(s), their management style, or their professional requirements. Whether it is tracking a serial number for a piece of equipment, logging a custom metric, recording a calibration date, or categorising items using a personalised pick-list, Custom Fields put the user firmly in control of what data is captured and how it is structured.
This flexibility transforms TheBoatApp from a standard boat management tool into a truly personalised marine data platform, adapting to the needs of every user — from weekend leisure sailors to professional fleet managers — without requiring any technical expertise.
- Add custom attributes — Users can create as custom fields, each individually named and purpose-defined, to capture any data point relevant to their boat or equipment.
- Multiple field formats — Each custom field can be configured in one of four formats to suit the type of data being recorded:
- Alphanumeric — for text and mixed-character values (e.g. serial numbers, reference codes)
- Number — for purely numerical values (e.g. capacities, measurements)
- Date — for date-specific entries (e.g. calibration dates, installation dates)
- Pick-list — for pre-defined selectable values, ensuring data consistency across records
- Cross-module availability — Custom Fields are available across multiple modules within TheBoatApp, including Inventory, Trip Logs, Operations Logs, Tasks, and Checklists, making them a versatile tool throughout the entire platform.
- Applied to new and existing records — Once configured, custom fields automatically appear in both new record creation forms and existing record edit screens, within a dedicated "Custom Fields" section, ensuring full retroactive usability.
- Edit field names at any time — Users can rename a custom field at any point by clicking the pencil icon, allowing field labels to evolve as the user's data management needs change.
- Safe and controlled deletion — Custom fields can be deleted via a trash-bin icon; a clear warning is displayed before confirmation, informing the user that the field and all associated data will be permanently removed from every record where it was used, preventing accidental data loss.
- No technical knowledge required — The Custom Fields interface is intuitive and accessible directly from each module's menu (via the three-dots button), requiring no coding, scripting, or database knowledge whatsoever.
- Personalisation per boat — Users managing multiple boats can tailor custom fields to the specific needs of each vessel, supporting diverse fleets with varying equipment, systems, and documentation requirements.
- Consistent data entry with pick-lists — The pick-list format allows users to pre-define selectable values, reducing free-text errors and ensuring standardised, consistent data entry across all records.
