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 WS320B&G
1499 € HT
Pour qui : Retrofit sailboat 30-40 feet without mast wiring, summer cruising
View WS320 packB&G
2043 € HT
Pour qui : Sailboat 35-50 feet for offshore cruising, occasional transatlantic
View WS710B&G
2605 € HT
Pour qui : Sailboat 40-50 ft performance cruising, IRC club level
View WS720B&G
3080 € HT
Pour qui : Offshore racing: IMOCA, Class40, serious IRC + high-latitude long-range cruising
View WS730S2026 distributor prices excluding VAT for France, sensor only (NMEA 2000 interface sold separately if required).
| Criteria | B&G 213 | WS320 | WS710 | WS720 | WS730S Ocean |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 ex-works price | ~ 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 | 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 | Comfort offshore | 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. ±2° accuracy and 1 Hz frequency are more than sufficient for summer cruising.
Budget pack + 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 mast lowered during refits.
Budget for sensor + installation: ~ $2,800–$3,400 USD ex-VAT
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 for sensor only: ~ $3,080 USD 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 = permanently offset wind reading, polars no longer matching. Verify with GPS + compass before commissioning.
Wind is turbulent in the top 20% of the mast (interaction with mainsail, topmast). 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 that carries 80 A at startup = measurable electrical noise. Always separate signal from power.
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 head. 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 service. The primary cause of failure is water ingress into the housing — select a model with marine-grade IP67 certification.
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 — negligible 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) 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. 2026 indicative distributor prices (excluding tax) for France.
