2026 Comparator
5 wind sensors compared 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 non-racing program
View B&G 213B&G
1499 € HT
Pour qui : 30-40 ft sailboat retrofit 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 feet 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 (NMEA 2000 interface sold separately if required).
| Criteria | B&G 213 | WS320 | WS710 | WS720 | WS730S Ocean |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price HT 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) | Mast lowered ideal | 1-2 h from pontoon | Mast lowered + passage | Mast lowered + passage | Mast lowered + 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.
Pack price + installation: ~ 1 700 € HT
View WS320 packOffshore
The WS710 or WS720 wired model provides long-term reliability (no battery) + 5-10 Hz frequency useful in rough seas. Our workshop standard on 40+ ft sailboats with the mast down during refit.
Sensor price + 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, equivalent alternative NKE 3D HR II (~€2,800 ex VAT, project order).
Sensor-only budget: ~ €3,080 ex VAT (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 results in a permanently offset wind reading, causing polar plots to no longer match. Validate alignment using GPS and compass before commissioning.
Wind is turbulent in the top 20% of the mast (interaction with mainsail and 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 separate signal cables from power cables.
4 questions to identify the wind transducer / vane anemometer suited to your sailboat.
Minimum 30-50 cm above the masthead to stay clear of turbulence created by the mainsail and the topmast. On a gaff-rigged racing sailboat, up to 80 cm. The 50 cm setting is a good cruising/racing compromise.
Yes, in 90% of cases with an existing NMEA 2000/0183 interface. 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 overhaul. 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 by 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).
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. A 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 (excl. VAT) for France in 2026.
