2026 Comparator
5 wind sensors compared based on the criteria that matter in sailing: technology (mechanical vs ultrasonic 2D vs 3D), sampling rate, accuracy, wireless vs wired, integration with computer. 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 : 35-50 ft sailboat offshore cruising, occasional transatlantic
View WS710B&G
2605 € HT
Pour qui : 40-50 ft sailboat performance cruising, IRC club level
View WS720B&G
3080 € HT
Pour qui : Offshore racing: IMOCA, Class40, serious IRC + high-latitude cruising
View WS730S2026 distributor prices excluding VAT in France, 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 | ~ $2,605 | ~ $3,080 |
| Afficheur inclus | Non (capteur seul) | Oui (pack Triton²) | Non (capteur seul) | Non (capteur seul) | Non (capteur seul) |
| Technology | Mechanical | Ultrasonic 2D | Ultrasonic 2D | Ultrasonic 2D | Ultrasonic 3D |
| 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 mast lowered | 1-2 h from dock | Lowered mast + passage | Lowered mast + passage | Lowered mast + passage |
| Target program | Standard cruising | Coastal + retrofit | Offshore comfort | 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 adequate for summer cruising.
Budget pack + installation: ~ $1,700 ex. VAT
View WS320 packOffshore
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 40+ foot sailboats with the mast down during refits.
Sensor + installation budget: ~ $2,800–$3,400 ex. VAT
View 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)
View WS730SThe 0° mark of the sensor must exactly match the bow of the boat. A 5° error = permanently offset wind readings, polars no longer matching. Validate with GPS + compass before commissioning.
Wind is turbulent in the top 20% of the mast (interaction with mainsail, top cap). Always mount the transducer 30-50 cm above the masthead for 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 keep signal and power cables separate.
4 questions to identify the anemometer suited to your sailboat.
Minimum 30–50 cm above the masthead to stay clear of turbulence created by the mainsail and topmast. On a gaff-rigged racing sailboat, up to 80 cm. A 50 cm offset is a good compromise for cruising and racing.
Yes, in 90% of cases with an existing NMEA 2000/0183 interface. The ultrasonic sensor requires a dedicated interface and publishes data on the NMEA 2000 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 overhaul. The #1 cause of failure 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 connected to the N2K bus. Radio latency 100-200 ms in worst case — imperceptible for cruising, but noticeable in racing (prefer wired).
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. Comparison based on 60+ wind sensor installations from 2020-2026, cruising and racing. Indicative distributor prices HT 2026 for France.
