Frequently asked questions

A clearer picture
of your dock.

Answers about setup, automatic calibration, forecasts, and what the numbers mean for your boat.

Getting started

Who is TideRely designed for?

Boat owners with shallow-water or tide-dependent docks where changing levels affect when they can lower their boat, leave, or return. Tidal creeks, canals, rivers, and bays can benefit from a measurement at your own dock rather than relying solely on a station miles away.

What does TideRely need to work?

Power at the dock, Wi-Fi coverage, and a properly mounted sensor. The supplied power adapter plugs into standard 115V power. You can view the dashboard from a phone, tablet, or computer.

What do I enter during initial setup?

Your Wi-Fi connection, dock location, an initial sensor-to-seabed measurement, and your boat’s draft and desired clearance. Operating thresholds can be personalized for your vessel.

Do I need to choose a NOAA station manually?

No. TideRely uses your dock location to select nearby NOAA tide-prediction and observed water-level stations automatically.

Dock learning & forecasts

Do I have to keep updating the calibration?

No ongoing manual calibration adjustments are needed. TideRely stores and analyzes your dock readings over time, automatically refining your dock’s calibration as it learns how your dock responds to the tides.

How does the 14-day forecast work?

NOAA tide predictions, your dock’s measured depth history, and your dock’s learned calibration are combined to estimate future depth. Daily depth ranges and boating windows help you plan around your boat’s requirements.

What happens during storms or unusual tides?

Storm-driven water levels can differ from normal tidal patterns. Live dock measurements and observed NOAA water levels help show current conditions. Forecasts are estimates, and unusual weather can reduce their reliability; check current measurements before operating.

How accurate are TideRely measurements?

TideRely is designed to provide consistent measurements at your dock using a dedicated sensor. Installation, the initial reference measurement, and conditions at the sensor affect readings. Stored your dock’s history and calibration improve the usefulness of forecasts over time; forecast depth and measured depth are different kinds of information.

Using your dashboard

How deep is the water at my dock right now?

The dashboard shows actual water depth measured at the sensor location. It also displays personalized clearance and operating guidance.

How does GOOD TO GO / TOO LOW work?

TideRely compares current and forecast dock depth with your boat’s draft and desired bottom clearance. It shows simple guidance and identifies estimated upcoming windows when those requirements are met.

Does TideRely use my boat’s draft?

Yes. Your boat’s draft and desired clearance are part of setup. Separate settings support clearance estimates with drives up and drives down.

Does dock depth tell me whether my entire route is clear?

No. The sensor measures at its mounting location. Check depths along your route separately, using charts, a depth sounder, local knowledge, and prudent seamanship.

Understanding the data

What is the difference between tide height and water depth?

Tide height describes water level relative to a reference datum. Water depth is the distance from the water surface to the bottom. A station’s tide height alone does not tell you the depth beneath your boat.

Can NOAA tell me the actual depth at my dock?

Not by itself. NOAA reports predictions and observations at specific stations. TideRely adds actual dock measurements and your dock’s learned calibration to create a personalized picture.

Let’s talk about your dock.

Find out how TideRely can help you monitor depth and plan your time on the water.

Get in touch ↗