Introducing PredictWind, Your Ultimate Sailing Companion

by Erin Carey

The most advanced weather forecasting app and subscription is here

WHEN PARTICIPATING IN ANY water-based activities such as yacht racing, cruising or even kitesurfing, an understanding of the wind and weather conditions is paramount. The open water is a magical, beautiful place, but it can also be dangerous if you’re not prepared. That’s where PredictWind comes in.

A top-of-the-line weather and wind forecasting app that boasts a range of incredible features, PredictWind is the ultimate companion for anybody out on the sea. Plus, while safety is paramount, many professional yacht racers and cruisers also use PredictWind to navigate the fastest or most desirable route on any journey. It’s easy to use and highly accurate, so let’s dive in and learn more about the app that’s chang- ing the face of water safety and navigation.

PredictWind is a leading weather forecasting app designed for anybody who is out on the water. Using a unique combination of global and regional forecasting models, along with its own proprietary modelling, PredictWind gives you the most accurate weather data to safely and efficiently travel anywhere on open water.

From professional yacht races to weekend kayaking trips, PredictWind can be used anywhere to safely plan any activity. Not only does it feature great weather forecasting and access to GRIB files from all over the world, but the tools within the app are game changers.

Weather routing, for example, allows users to enter their starting point and desired location to discover the safest and most optimal route based on the best available weather forecasting data. There is also an enormous range of map types to choose from if you want to look specifically at waves, wind gusts, isobars, sea temperatures and many more. The departure planning feature lets you choose the perfect day to embark on your trip.

Importantly, there are two versions of the app. One is for inshore and coastal sailing, while the other is designed for offshore sailing. While somewhat similar, each app offers a slightly different experience and varying features to suit the type of sailing or water activity you’re planning.

PredictWind is essentially designed for any water-based activities. Some of the activities that can benefit from the use of PredictWind include:

· Yacht racing

· Cruising

· Power-boating

· Dinghy racing

· Kite surfing

· Fishing

· Windsurfing

· Kayaking

These apps were specifically designed with safety in mind. To keep water users safe from unexpected weather conditions that could be dangerous. But the reality is, many water users have other priorities too, such as speed in yacht racing, or a family cruising the open ocean may want to take a route that promises the smoothest seas.

There are so many different uses for the PredictWind apps, so let’s look at the two specific apps for inshore and coastal sailing respectively.

PredictWind App for inshore and coastal sailing: The first app in the PredictWind suite is designed for inshore and coastal sailing activities. This makes it the most widely used, as it typically appeals not just to sailors, but recreational water uses like kitesurfing, fishing, powerboating and more.

The app is accessible using mobile data or WiFi and you can log in from any device. You get all the accuracy in the world thanks to the unique mix of global and regional forecasting models, and you can even save your favorite locations for easy access.

Use a wide range of graphs, tables, maps, weather routing and departure planning tools to get more out of your water experience.

PredictWind Offshore app for offshore sailing: The PredictWind Offshore app gives you all of the features the standard app has. But the major difference is the satellite accessibility and ability to download GRIB files for locations all over the world. It integrates seamlessly with most satellite and SSB systems, meaning there’s a plethora of data at your disposal no matter where you are in the world.

Naturally, this version of the app is aimed more towards people cruising the high seas or participating in international or large yacht races. As such, the data available is very specialised and therefore extremely useful in so many different conditions.

Whether you use PredictWind for cruising, yacht racing, fishing or wind-based water sports, there are multiple benefits and features for all your needs. Some of the key features are below:

· Weather routing: One of PredictWind’s most valuable features is the ability to plan your trip according to the weather. It’s easy to set your departure point and destination to access the optimal travelling route according to the winds and other weather conditions.

· Departure planning: Not sure of the best day to embark on your next journey? Based on high-resolution upcoming forecasts, PredictWind helps you choose the perfect time for starting a trip.

· Forecast alerts: PredictWind can alert you to any upcoming weather conditions, both in your immediate area and further along your chosen travel route.

· Weather observations: If you need some real-time weather observations, you’ll get them from thousands of sta- tions around the world.

· Accuracy: Most weather forecasts aren’t made with detailed sailing conditions in mind. PredictWind is. Using existing global forecasting models in addition to proprietary regional models, PredictWind provides the most upto-date and accurate forecasting available.

In short, PredictWind offers the most accurate data, the most reliable tools to make travel decisions, and an interface that’s easy to use. You won’t find anything better, and that’s why PredictWind is favoured by everyone from recreational fishing fanatics to professional yacht racers.

Olympian, two-time America’s Cup winner, and New Zealand National Champion in multiple classes, PredictWind Founding Director Jon Bilger spent years accessing the very best private wind and marine forecasting tools in the world. Jon founded PredictWind in 2010 to share this potentially life-saving technology with the public at large, and today PredictWind provides the world’s most accurate and reliable forecasting technology to more than a million users. A lifelong competitive yachtsman, Jon lives in Auckland with his wife and two daughters, who share his passion for the ocean and competitive sailing.

Eric Carey is a veteran cruiser and is the principal pf the public relations firm Roam Generation.