Terms of Service

Last updated: May 24, 2026

1. Acceptance of these terms

By creating an account or using YakWise (the "Service"), you agree to be bound by these Terms of Service ("Terms"). If you do not agree, do not use the Service. These Terms form a binding agreement between you and YakWise, operated by Eugene Gordin ("we," "us," "our").

2. What YakWise is — and is not

YakWise is a trip-suitability engine that provides GOOD / FAIR / POOR verdicts for kayak fishing trips based on real-time weather and environmental data. It is a decision-support tool only.

YakWise is not a safety device, navigation system, or emergency service. It does not replace, and you must not rely on it in place of:

  • Official forecasts from the National Weather Service (NWS) and NOAA
  • U.S. Coast Guard advisories and marine warnings
  • Local harbormaster, ranger, or law-enforcement guidance
  • Your own observation of on-water conditions and your own judgment

3. Eligibility

You must be at least 18 years old to accept these Terms and use the Service on your own. Users between 13 and 17 may use the Service only if a parent or legal guardian (a) consents to their use, (b) agrees to these Terms on their behalf, and (c) supervises their on-water activity. Adults using YakWise on behalf of, or in the presence of, minors in their party remain bound by these Terms and accept all responsibility for those minors' safety. The Service is not directed to children under 13, and we do not knowingly collect information from them.

4. Assumption of risk

Kayak fishing involves inherent and significant risks, including but not limited to:

  • Drowning, capsizing, and entrapment
  • Hypothermia and cold-water shock
  • Sudden weather changes, wind, waves, lightning, and fog
  • Strong currents, tidal flows, rip currents, and rough seas
  • Collisions with vessels, debris, or marine life
  • Equipment failure (kayak, paddle, PFD, safety gear)
  • Remote locations with limited rescue access or cell coverage

You voluntarily assume all such risks, whether known or unknown, when you choose to go on the water. A YakWise verdict — including a "GOOD" verdict — does not eliminate, reduce, or warn of every possible risk. Conditions can change rapidly and without notice.

Before launching, you must independently:

  • Check current conditions yourself
  • Wear a properly fitted PFD at all times on the water
  • File a float plan with someone onshore
  • Carry appropriate safety equipment for your trip and water type
  • Turn back if conditions deteriorate, regardless of any prior verdict

5. Data accuracy and limitations

YakWise relies on third-party data sources (including Open-Meteo, NOAA, WSDOT, AirNow, and WDFW) and on AI-generated reasoning. We do not guarantee the completeness, timeliness, or correctness of any data, verdict, or recommendation. Sensor outages, API delays, model errors, and forecast limitations can and do affect output quality. All output is provided on an "as is" and "as available" basis with no warranties of any kind, express or implied.

6. Service availability

YakWise is provided during a beta period. We may modify, suspend, or discontinue the Service, or any feature within it, at any time without notice. We do not guarantee uptime, availability, or that the Service will be error-free.

7. Acceptable use

You agree not to:

  • Use YakWise for commercial purposes without written permission
  • Reverse-engineer, scrape, automate, or overload the Service
  • Misrepresent YakWise verdicts as professional safety assessments or official forecasts
  • Use the Service in any way that violates applicable law or regulation

8. Disclaimer of warranties

THE SERVICE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" AND "AS AVAILABLE" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, NON-INFRINGEMENT, OR ACCURACY. WE DO NOT WARRANT THAT THE SERVICE WILL MEET YOUR REQUIREMENTS, BE UNINTERRUPTED, OR BE FREE OF ERRORS.

9. Limitation of liability

TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, YAKWISE AND EUGENE GORDIN (THE "RELEASED PARTIES") SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES — INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO PERSONAL INJURY, DEATH, PROPERTY DAMAGE, LOSS OF DATA, OR LOSS OF PROFITS — ARISING OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH YOUR USE OF, OR INABILITY TO USE, THE SERVICE, EVEN IF THE RELEASED PARTIES HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.

IN NO EVENT SHALL THE TOTAL AGGREGATE LIABILITY OF THE RELEASED PARTIES EXCEED THE GREATER OF (A) THE AMOUNT YOU PAID US IN THE TWELVE MONTHS PRECEDING THE CLAIM, OR (B) ONE HUNDRED U.S. DOLLARS ($100).

10. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless YakWise, Eugene Gordin, and their affiliates from and against any and all claims, liabilities, damages, losses, costs, and expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees) arising out of or related to: (a) your use of the Service; (b) your violation of these Terms; (c) your violation of any law or third-party right; or (d) any injury, damage, or loss sustained by you or others in connection with kayak fishing or related activities for which you used the Service.

11. Governing law and venue

These Terms are governed by the laws of the State of Washington, USA, without regard to its conflict-of-laws principles. Any dispute arising out of or relating to these Terms or the Service shall be resolved exclusively in the state or federal courts located in King County, Washington, and you consent to the personal jurisdiction of those courts.

12. Severability

If any provision of these Terms is held to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect, and the invalid provision shall be modified to the minimum extent necessary to make it enforceable while preserving its intent.

13. Changes to these terms

We may update these Terms at any time. Material changes will be surfaced in the app and will require renewed acceptance before continued use. Continued use of the Service after changes take effect constitutes acceptance of the updated Terms.

14. Contact

Questions about these Terms: [email protected]