INSPECT A GADGET

A decade ago the options available for raceboat electronics were limited, with a small number of near-ubiquitous popular brand names. However, the scene has changed completely since then, with many of the larger companies chasing bigger markets, while nimble startups are threatening to disrupt the landscape.

Nevertheless, at the highest end, two companies dominate raceboat electronics: B&G and NKE. The former tends to be favoured by English-speaking teams, especially those who sail fully crewed, while NKE is far more common on French boats and, to a lesser extent, on British shorthanded boats. It’s excellent kit, but comes at price – on a new 35-footer, it’s not hard to spend well upwards of £30,000.

In the past, damping has been used to smooth out changes in apparent wind as a masthead anemometer pitches over waves. However, multi-axis motion sensors have become so powerful, and processing so quick, that the movement of the masthead can now be calculated in real time on these high-end systems. The result is more accurate wind speed and direction, with less damping, which can be particularly important for a short-handed boat that’s using a pilot to steer to a constant wind angle.

At the