2026 Comparator
5 wind sensors compared based on criteria that matter in sailing: technology (mechanical vs 2D ultrasonic vs 3D ultrasonic), sampling rate, accuracy, wireless vs wired, integration with autopilot. Workshop recommendation by navigation program.
B&G
1040 € HT
Pour qui : Cruising sailboat 30-45 feet, coastal or offshore program, non-racing
View B&G 213B&G
1499 € HT
Pour qui : Retrofit 30-40 ft sailboat without mast wiring, summer cruising
View WS320 packB&G
2043 € HT
Pour qui : Sailboat 35-50 ft offshore cruising, occasional transatlantic
View WS710B&G
2605 € HT
Pour qui : Sailboat 40-50 ft performance cruising, club-level IRC
View WS720B&G
3080 € HT
Pour qui : Offshore racing: IMOCA, Class40, serious IRC + high-latitude cruising
View WS730S2026 distributor prices excluding VAT, France, sensor only (separate N2K interface if required).
| Criteria | B&G 213 | WS320 | WS710 | WS720 | WS730S Ocean |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price ex. VAT 2026 | ~ 1 040 $ | ~ 1 499 $ (pack) | ~ 2 043 $ | ~ 2 605 $ | ~ 3 080 $ |
| Display included | No (sensor only) | Yes (Triton² pack) | No (sensor only) | No (sensor only) | No (sensor only) |
| Technology | Mechanical | Ultrasonic 2D | Ultrasonic 2D | Ultrasonic 2D | 3D Ultrasonic |
| Angle accuracy | ±1° | ±2° | ±1° | ±0.5° | ±0.3° |
| Frequency | 2 Hz | 1 Hz | 5 Hz | 10 Hz | 20 Hz |
| Wireless | No | Yes (radio) | No | No | No |
| Installation (yard work) | Ideal with lowered mast | 1-2 h from dock | Lowered mast + passage | Lowered mast + passage | Lowered mast + pass-through |
| Target program | Standard cruising | Coastal + retrofit | Offshore comfort | Performance + IRC club | Offshore racing |
Coastal
The WS320 wireless pack is our default choice for sailboat retrofits in the 30-40 ft range. Installation takes 1-2 hours from the dock, with a battery that can be replaced annually. Immediate Triton² integration. The ±2° accuracy and 1 Hz frequency are more than adequate for summer cruising.
Pack budget + installation: ~ €1,700 VAT excluded
See WS320 packOffshore
The WS710 or WS720 wired provides long-term reliability (no battery) + 5-10 Hz frequency useful in rough seas. Our workshop standard on 40+ ft sailboats with mast lowered during refit.
Sensor + installation budget: ~ €2,800-3,400 ex. VAT
See WS710Racing
The WS730S Ocean spec (3,080 € HT) — 3D ultrasonic, 20 Hz frequency, ±0.3° accuracy — is the international racing standard. For French racing, equivalent alternative NKE 3D HR II (~2,800 € HT, project order).
Sensor-only budget: ~ €3,080 ex. VAT (excluding H5000 / NAC-3 and displays)
See WS730SThe 0° mark of the sensor must align exactly with the bow of the boat. A 5° error results in a permanently offset wind reading, with polars no longer matching. Verify with GPS and compass before commissioning.
Wind is turbulent in the top 20 % of the mast (interaction with mainsail and masthead fitting). Always mount the transducer 30–50 cm above the masthead to get clean wind data.
The sensor cable carries a very sensitive millivolt signal. Next to a cable carrying 80 A at startup = measurable electrical noise. Always separate signal cables from power cables.
4 questions to identify the anemometer suited to your sailboat.
Minimum 30–50 cm above the masthead to stay clear of turbulence generated by the mainsail and topmast. On a gaff-rigged racing sailboat, up to 80 cm. A 50 cm offset is a good cruising/racing compromise.
Yes in 90% of cases with an NMEA 2000/0183 interface on the existing system. The ultrasonic sensor uses a dedicated interface and publishes to the N2K bus. The existing mast cable is often reusable.
Typical lifespan: 10–15 years (B&G WS720/WS730), 12–18 years for NKE 3D HR II with 5-year service. The #1 failure factor is water ingress into the housing — select a marine-grade model certified IP67.
Yes, via the NMEA 2000 interface of the WS320 pack. The wireless sensor transmits via radio to a base station connected to the N2K bus. Radio latency 100-200 ms in worst case — imperceptible for cruising, but noticeable in racing (prefer wired connection).
Not mandatory but highly recommended beyond 40 feet in rough seas. The vertical component of the wind (pumping in swell, wave accelerations) introduces errors on a 2D sensor that the autopilot interprets as heading changes — resulting in oscillations. The 3D sensor filters these out.
Skysat distributes B&G, NKE Marine Electronics, Raymarine, Garmin, and Navico. Comparator based on 60+ wind sensor installations from 2020-2026, cruising and racing. Indicative 2026 distributor prices (excluding VAT) for authorized dealers in France.
