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Electronics and Navigation

Lessons from the Vestas Volvo Wreck

The fixed camera on the stern of Vestas Wind captured the worst possible unintended gybe. That’s when you’re blasting along at 19 knots through a tropical night offshore, and your Volvo Ocean 65 suddenly smashes its way up onto a reef, shearing off the rudders and spinning 180 degrees as the waves and wind take total control

Apps for Sailors Reviewed: AyeTides

Having accurate tide and current information is invaluable when planning your trip through shallow waters or anticipating tidal changes when setting your anchor. Many of the popular navigation apps include tides and currents.

Ocean Signal’s rescueME PLB1

Billing itself as the “world’s smallest PLB,” Ocean Signal’s rescueME PLB1 measures just 3in high by 2in wide and 1in deep. Specific features include a retractable antenna, 66-channel GPS receiver, fully functional 406MHz satellite transmitter, a 121.5MHz homing beacon and a strobe.

Garmin’s GNX 20 and 21 instruments

Garmin’s GNX 20 and 21 instruments allow trimmers, drivers and navigators to get all the information they want, when they want it, no matter what the conditions. Measuring 4in across, the glass-bonded, monochrome displays feature over 50 different vessel parameters, including depth, wind, speed, course over ground, distance to waypoint and other navigational data.

Gear: Onboard Headset Option

SAIL electronics editor, Ben Ellison, says Bluetooth-equipped My Team Talks headsets are an outstanding piece of gear for those who want to make sure all hands know what’s going on when, say, anchoring in a stiff breeze.

Apps for Sailors. Reviewed: MotionX-GPS

MotionX-GPS ($1.99 iPhone) or MotionX-GPS HD ($1.99 iPad) from MotionX hosts a rich set of GPS and map features to provide a customizable map display, an interactive navigation interface and a digital compass on your iPhone or iPad.

WEST MARINE Tactical LED Rechargeable 1,006-Lumen Flashlight

Rechargeable, water-resistant, tactical-grade flashlight includes ultra-bright 1,006-lumen LED bulb and weather-resistant housing. Includes a two-way USB port to power and charge other devices, and include an AC/DC charger. Corded or cordless. Lithium-Ion battery.

Jeppesen’s MAX-N cartography

Recent upgrades to Jeppesen’s MAX-N cartography, which is used on Lowrance, Simrad and B&G Zeus Touch multifunction displays, provide navigators with a host of new features

Photo: Zuzana Prochazka

Tahiti Revisited

After a long absence, one sailor finds herself sailing the waters of her youth and contemplating years of change in all its forms.

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May Issue Preview

Spring is in the air and warmer weather is right around the corner. Get ready for the season with SAIL’s adventure issue! Through the Eyes

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Caught in a Squall on a Daysail

When several members of our Florida sailing club, the West Coast Trailer Sailors Squadron, decided to get together for a group daysail on a recent

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DIY: Fixing a Diesel Engine

The morning our diesel engine experienced a runaway started like any other. We were headed out of Monterey Harbor on our 1979 Cheoy Lee 41,

Photo: Lydia Mullan

Part 2: The Doldrums to Belém

Editor’s note—This is the second installment of a story that began in the March 2026 issue.Click here for part one. I’m dimly aware of the

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From the Editor: Team Spirit

In tomorrow’s e-newsletter, we conclude the story of my transatlantic crossing with the Women Wave Project. For part one, click here. In retrospect, the whole crossing

Black Foils (NZL) and DS Automobiles France collided just seconds into the race. Photo by Felix Diemer for SailGP

Racing Collisions Raise Questions

You’ve probably seen the clips online. During the first day of racing in SailGP’s New Zealand series, the worst crash in the league’s six seasons

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