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How I use sailing instruments and data while course routing and real-time passagemaking (Jan 2026)
January 20, 2026 · 24 min · 3K views
Sailor at helm with instruments during sunset passage
What this video covers
A Valiant Yachts 40-2 owner details a navigation and instrumentation strategy for long-distance cruising, emphasizing the integration of real-time sensor data with weather routing software. The setup relies on a B&G Vulcan 12 chart plotter at the helm and three secondary displays mounted under the dodger to minimize eye travel.14:19 The navigator standardizes all directional data to degrees true to avoid magnetic variation errors during long passages.17:23 PredictWind serves as the primary routing tool, utilizing the ECMWF model to analyze wind, wave height, and current data while identifying GMDSS high seas advisories.9:37 The system incorporates AI Polars, which refine performance predictions based on the vessel's actual sailing history rather than theoretical design specs.13:01 Key instrumentation includes AIS for collision avoidance and radar with weather mode for squall detection.15:55 The navigator monitors cross-track error to compensate for drift and uses velocity made good to optimize upwind performance.19:26 Consistent instrument layout and data selection allow for efficient decision-making without relying solely on screens.
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