Racing
From feel to figures: the winning trim, quantified.
On-board LiDAR measurement: the profile of each section, available within seconds on your boat's electronics and at the debrief.
Services
Real time, or measurement after sailing
Onboard system
Best fitYour sail shape in real time on your boat's electronics, every time you sail: the only way to trim live.
Discover the service : Onboard systemOne-off measurement
The system aboard for the length of a mission: your sails measured and analysed after sailing, without real time.
Discover the service : One-off measurement
Measure the shape, not the controls
Knowing the length of a sheet or the position of a traveller does not tell you the real shape of the sail.
Between the control and the shape obtained come cloth and rope stretch, mast bend and aerodynamic loads: two identical settings can produce two different shapes depending on conditions.
Sail Controls directly measures the three-dimensional shape of the sail as it exists under wind load, taking the real deformation of the mast into account.
What the measurement lets you decide
Find your best settings again
Every configuration is recorded, so you can reproduce it in similar conditions.
Objectify your feel
Each measurement is put in the context of real sailing conditions.
Debrief on data
Post-sailing discussions rely on reliable measurements to progress and refine trim.
Build a library of settings
Every session adds to a library of reference configurations, set against the conditions and the performance observed.
Aboard, in real time
Digitising sail shapes in real time transforms your sailing. By capturing and recording every setting, you build an accurate history to analyse and optimise performance. This data lets you easily reproduce your best configurations, while putting each measurement in the context of real conditions.
Section data is sent to your onboard electronics in a protocol compatible with any navigation system: it appears alongside your usual data, day and night.
A real tack, measured under sail
Mainsail and jib measured simultaneously through a real tack: their profiles, twist and camber follow the change of tack.
Accuracy measured while sailing, under real load. And improving every season.
Frequently asked questions
Is the system compatible with my instruments?
Yes. The Sail Controls computer sends its data in a protocol compatible with any navigation system: your sail shapes appear on your usual displays and software, alongside your other data.
Does it work at night or in poor visibility?
Yes. LiDAR measures distances with laser pulses, regardless of light: measurement works day and night, including in a strong breeze.
Who installs the system aboard?
Sail Controls installs and commissions the system on board. Your team or our approved partners then run it day to day.
Does each sail need to be equipped?
No. The measurement is taken remotely from the deck: no sensor in the sails. The same sensors measure the whole sail wardrobe and fit an existing boat.
Can you measure several boats on the same day?
Yes, with one system per boat: a whole training group can then be compared on the same indicators.
Can the autopilot use the measurement?
Yes, with Madintec, designer of the MADBrain autopilots: the sail-shape indicators are sent to the autopilot in real time, so it can anticipate changes in rig power. The first integrations are being tested ahead of upcoming offshore races.
Can our sail loft access the data?
Yes, if you invite it onto your portal: each guest has their own access, and you choose what they see.
Who owns the data?
You do. The data collected remains your exclusive property and is used only for your project; Sail Controls may only aggregate anonymous technical metrics from it, to improve the product.