2026 Comparator
5 wind sensors compared based on the criteria that matter in sailing: technology (mechanical vs 2D ultrasonic vs 3D ultrasonic), sampling rate, accuracy, wireless vs wired, autopilot integration. Workshop recommendation by navigation program.
B&G
1040 € HT
Pour qui : 30-45 ft cruising sailboat, coastal or offshore program, non-racing
View B&G WS320B&G
1499 € HT
Pour qui : Retrofit 30-40 ft sailboat without mast wiring, summer cruising
View WS320 packB&G
2043 € HT
Pour qui : 35-50 ft sailboat for 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 bluewater cruising
View WS730S2026 distributor prices excluding VAT, sensor only (separate NMEA 2000 interface if required).
| Criteria | B&G 213 | WS320 | WS710 | WS720 | WS730S Ocean |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price ex-VAT 2026 | ~ 1 040 € | ~ 1 499 € (pack) | ~ 2,043 USD | ~ 2,605 USD | ~ 3,080 USD |
| Afficheur inclus | Non (capteur seul) | Oui (pack Triton²) | Non (capteur seul) | Non (capteur seul) | Non (capteur seul) |
| Technology | Mechanical | 2D Ultrasonic | 2D Ultrasonic | 2D Ultrasonic | 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) | Ideal with lowered mast | 1-2 h from dock | Lowered mast + passage | Lowered mast + passage | Lowered mast + passage |
| Target program | Standard cruising | Coastal + retrofit | Offshore cruising | Performance + IRC club | Offshore racing |
Coastal
The WS320 wireless pack is our default choice for retrofitting 30-40 ft sailboats. 1-2 h installation from the dock, annually replaceable battery, immediate Triton² integration. The ±2° accuracy and 1 Hz frequency are more than sufficient for summer cruising.
Budget pack + installation: ~ 1,700 € VAT excluded
View WS320 packOffshore cruising
The WS710 or WS720 wired model provides long-term reliability (no battery) + 5-10 Hz frequency useful in rough seas. Our standard workshop choice for sailboats 40+ feet with mast lowered during refits.
Budget sensor + installation: ~ 2 800-3 400 € HT
View WS710Racing
The WS730S Ocean spec (€3,080 ex-VAT) — 3D ultrasonic, 20 Hz frequency, ±0.3° accuracy — is the international racing standard. For French racing, an equivalent alternative is the NKE 3D HR II (~€2,800 ex-VAT, project order).
Budget sensor only: ~ 3 080 € HT (excluding H5000 / NAC-3 and displays)
View WS730SThe 0° mark of the sensor must align exactly with the bow of the boat. A 5° error = permanently offset wind reading, polar plots no longer match reality. Verify with GPS + compass before commissioning.
Wind is turbulent in the top 20% of the mast (interaction with mainsail and topmast head). Always mount the anemometer 30–50 cm above the masthead to obtain 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 avoid turbulence created by the mainsail and the topmast. On a racing sailboat with a gaff mainsail, up to 80 cm. The 50 cm measurement is a good compromise for cruising and racing.
Yes in 90% of cases with NMEA 2000/0183 interface on the existing setup. 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 a five-year service. The primary 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 unit 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 wind (pumping in swell, wave accelerations) creates 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 distributor prices (excl. VAT) for France in 2026.
