Privacy
Last updated November 14, 2026
Sailing Commons is run by Dropseed. Short version: we collect what we need to run the site, we don't sell it, and there are no ad trackers here. If you want something changed or deleted, email hello@sailingcommons.com and a person will handle it.
What we collect
When you sign in
Your email address. We email you a 6-digit code instead of using a password. We store the code only in scrambled form, and it stops working after 15 minutes.
Your profile
Anything you choose to add, like your name, home port and a few words about yourself. Other members can see it.
Boats you list
The details, price, location (town or marina) and photos you add. Listings are public. Before your photos are uploaded, your browser re-saves them, which removes hidden details such as the GPS location where a photo was taken.
Messages and group chats
Messages you send to a seller or buyer are seen by the two of you. Messages in open group chats can be read by anyone. Private group chats can be read by their members. We can see messages when we need to, for example to look into a report of a scam or abuse.
Crew finder posts
The title, boat, area, kind of sailing and description you add. Posts are public and come down after 60 days. We don't show your email or phone number; people reply through messages here.
Payments and ads
If you pay for a listing or an ad, payment is handled by Square. Your card details go straight to Square and never reach us. We keep a record of what you bought, when, and the amount. If you place an ad, we keep the ad's text, image, link and contact email.
Reports, directory submissions and contact
If you report something, add a club to the directory or email us, we keep what you send. The email address on a directory submission is used only to ask about that listing and is never shown publicly.
Questions you ask Skipper
We keep the questions people ask our automated helper so we can improve its answers. They are stored without your name, email or account. To stop the helper being overloaded, we count questions per visitor using a scrambled version of your internet address that can't be turned back into the address.
Cookies and your device
We use one cookie, to keep you signed in. It lasts 60 days or until you sign out. Your browser also keeps a draft of a boat listing you're writing and your practice test scores on your own device; we never see those. There are no advertising or tracking cookies.
Technical logs
Like any website, our hosting provider records basic details of each visit, such as your internet address and browser, to keep the site running and protect it from attacks. These logs are kept for a short time.
Visit counts
We use Cloudflare Web Analytics to count visits and see which pages are popular and how fast they load. It doesn't use cookies or track you across other websites, and it doesn't build a profile of you.
How we use it
To run the site: sign you in, show your listings and messages, email you about activity you'd want to know about (like a buyer messaging you), keep out scams and spam, and fix problems. We don't sell personal information, and we don't share it with advertisers.
Who else handles it
- Cloudflare hosts the site, its database and photos, sends our emails and runs the AI model behind Skipper's answers.
- OpenFreeMap provides the map pictures on the directory. When a map loads, your browser asks their servers for map tiles, so they see your internet address.
- YouTube and other sites we link to only see you if you click through to them.
We may also share information if the law requires it, or to protect people from fraud or harm.
Ads
We show clearly labeled ads from marine businesses. They aren't targeted using your personal information. If we ever change how ads work, we'll update this page first.
How long we keep it
We keep your account and what you post until you delete it or ask us to. Sign-in codes are deleted when they're used or expire. When you ask us to delete your account, we remove your profile, listings, photos and messages within 30 days, except anything we must keep by law or to deal with fraud.
Your choices
You can edit your profile and listings yourself. To get a copy of your information, correct it or delete your account, email hello@sailingcommons.com from the address you sign in with. Depending on where you live, you may have more rights under local law, and we'll honor them.
Children
Sailing Commons isn't meant for children under 13, and we don't knowingly collect information from them. If you think a child has signed up, tell us and we'll delete the account.
Where information is stored
Our providers store and process information in the United States and other countries.
Changes
If we make an important change, we'll post it here and, for big changes, email signed-in members before it takes effect.
Contact
Questions about privacy: hello@sailingcommons.com.