An ecosystem, not a gadget
In the landscape of sailing instruments, SailSensor was not conceived as yet another accessory to add to the onboard kit. It is rather a complete ecosystem, designed from the ground up to give the sailor a real, in-depth understanding of the aerodynamics of their own sail.
Where other devices simply measure generic mechanical or environmental quantities, SailSensor tackles the problem at its root: understanding how the sail interacts with the wind, moment by moment, point by point. This holistic vision — from sensor design all the way to cloud analysis — is what makes the solution truly one of a kind.
Aerodynamic reading, not mechanical
Most of the monitoring systems available on the market focus on parameters such as fabric tension, sail deformation or boom position. As useful as this information may be, it describes the mechanical state of the sail — not its aerodynamic behaviour.
SailSensor takes a radically different approach. The sensors detect the distribution of aerodynamic pressure across the sail surface: the physical quantity that actually determines the driving force generated by the sail. In other words, SailSensor does not measure how the fabric is stressed, but how the sail is actually working with the wind.
The fundamental difference: knowing the pressure distribution means knowing exactly where the sail is generating lift, where flow separation is forming and where the profile can be optimised. It is the difference between observing a symptom and understanding the cause.
This kind of reading, until now accessible only in wind tunnels or through CFD simulations, becomes with SailSensor a piece of data available in real time, while sailing.
Proprietary sensors: compact, lightweight, marine-grade
The heart of SailSensor technology lies in its sensors, entirely designed and developed in-house. These are not repurposed off-the-shelf components: each sensor unit has been engineered specifically for sailing applications, meeting constraints that no generic sensor could satisfy all at once.
Key features of SailSensor sensors:
- Minimal impact on the aerodynamic flow — a low profile and carefully studied geometry so as not to alter the behaviour of the sail
- Marine grade — resistance to salt, humidity, UV rays and the mechanical stresses typical of sailing
- Fully self-contained unit — each sensor integrates pressure sensing, acquisition electronics, data transmission and battery in a single compact body
- Negligible weight — no perceptible influence on the behaviour of the sail or on handling
Installation is simple and non-invasive: the sensors are applied to the surface of the sail without requiring structural modifications. They can be positioned and repositioned according to analysis needs, ensuring maximum flexibility of use.
App with digital twin: the sail comes to life on screen
The data collected by the sensors would be of little use without a clear and immediate representation. That is why SailSensor includes an app that creates a genuine digital twin of the sail: a digital model that reproduces the pressure distribution across the surface in real time.
Visualisation is provided through colour gradients overlaid on the outline of the sail, making the zones of high and low pressure, the areas of attached flow and any separations immediately readable. No fluid dynamics expertise is required to interpret the data: the feedback is designed to be intuitive even in the heat of the action.
Multimodal feedback: in addition to the colour map, the app provides concise graphical indications and a system of audible feedback that allows the sailor to receive information about the sail’s trim without taking their eyes off the water. Like a variometer for the sail profile.
The interface has been designed to work effectively even on small screens, in bright light and with wet hands — the real-world conditions of use on board.
Integrated ecosystem: sensors, app and cloud
SailSensor is not the sum of separate components, but a cohesive system in which every element has been designed to work in synergy with the others. The sensors communicate with the app, the app displays and transmits, the cloud stores and analyses.
Every sailing session is saved and made available for post-sailing analysis. This means being able to:
- Relive every moment of the session by analysing how the sail responded to changes in wind and to the adjustments made
- Compare different sessions to assess the effect of changes to the trim, of new sails or of different weather conditions
- Track the evolution over time of your own trimming skills and of the behaviour of the sails
- Share the data with coaches, sailmakers or crew members for collaborative analysis
The cloud architecture ensures that the data is always accessible and safe, regardless of the device used. The integration is seamless: the sailor focuses on sailing, the system takes care of the rest.
Filed patent: protected innovation
The technology underpinning SailSensor is covered by a filed patent. This is not a mere bureaucratic detail: the granting of patent protection confirms the innovative nature of the solution, certifying that the system presents elements of novelty with respect to the state of the art.
SailSensor was born from the collaboration between sailors and engineers — people who know the sea from direct experience and professionals who have mastered sensor technology, electronics and fluid dynamics. This dual soul is reflected in every aspect of the product: technically rigorous, yet designed for those who really sail.
Proprietary technology, from research to product: the SailSensor journey starts from university research and arrives all the way to the boat, through an engineering process that has translated advanced aerodynamic concepts into a practical and accessible instrument.
In summary: what makes SailSensor unique
SailSensor stands out in the landscape of sailing technology thanks to a combination of elements that, taken together, define an unprecedented solution:
It measures what truly matters — aerodynamic pressure, not mechanical surrogates. It uses purpose-built sensors — not adaptations of generic technologies. It visualises the data as a digital twin — intuitive, in real time, with audible feedback. It integrates everything into a coherent ecosystem — from the sail to the cloud, seamlessly. It protects the innovation with a patent — confirming its originality.
For those seeking a competitive advantage grounded in a real understanding of what is happening on their own sail, SailSensor is not just one option among many. It is a paradigm shift.