About
Tactiqs is an advanced sailboat racing performance platform designed to give competitive sailors a meaningful edge on the water. Built by a team of experienced racers from the US and Europe, the system integrates seamlessly with a boat's existing sensor network via a wireless NMEA interface, broadcasting live data to any number of iOS devices used as customizable performance displays. The platform tracks 62 different performance metrics for traditional sailboats and an additional 25 metrics specifically for foiling vessels. For smaller boats or dinghies without dedicated instruments, Tactiqs leverages the built-in GPS and sensors of iOS devices combined with smart tracking algorithms to estimate heading, point of sail, and wind shifts. It also supports the Calypso Instruments Ultrasonic Bluetooth wind sensor for precise wind data. The SailHub™ weather station add-on enables coaches or club officials to broadcast live wind data to all Tactiqs users within a one-kilometer radius — ideal for group training sessions. Wearable integrations include augmented reality glasses and Apple Watch support, making the system adaptable for every crew member and boat size. Post-race analysis tools provide granular performance insights, allowing sailors to review races numerically, track individual sail usage, and identify optimal sail crossovers. The interface is designed with simplicity in mind, hiding complexity behind an intuitive UI. Tactiqs is well-suited for club racers, grand prix competitors, coaching programs, and anyone serious about improving their on-water performance.
Key Features
- 62+ Real-Time Performance Metrics: Displays 62 standard sailing performance metrics and 25 additional foiling-specific metrics on any connected iOS device during races.
- Post-Race Analysis Tools: Review races in granular detail after the fact — analyze performance by the numbers, track sail usage, and identify optimal sail crossovers.
- Wireless NMEA Sensor Integration: Connects to a boat's existing instruments via a wireless NMEA interface, enabling seamless data capture without rewiring or complex setup.
- SailHub™ Live Wind Broadcasting: A coach or club house can broadcast live wind data to all Tactiqs users in the class over an area of up to one kilometer for coordinated training.
- AR Glasses & Apple Watch Support: Wearable integrations including augmented reality glasses and Apple Watch provide hands-free data access for every crew member and boat type.
Use Cases
- Competitive sailors using real-time metrics to make better tactical decisions during races, such as identifying wind shifts and optimizing VMG.
- Post-race debriefs where coaches and crews review recorded track data and performance numbers to identify areas for improvement.
- Sail inventory management by tracking individual sail usage and crossover points to maximize the efficiency of the onboard sail wardrobe.
- Coaching programs leveraging the SailHub™ live wind broadcast to share consistent, accurate wind data with an entire fleet during training.
- Foiling dinghy sailors using Tactiqs AR glasses in hotspot mode to access speed and performance data hands-free at high speeds.
Pros
- Works for All Boat Sizes: Scales from basic dinghy use (leveraging iPhone internal sensors) all the way to grand prix racers with full NMEA instrument suites.
- Intuitive, Clean Interface: Complex sailing algorithms are hidden behind a simple UI, making advanced performance data accessible without a steep learning curve.
- Flexible Wind Data Options: Supports manual wind input, Calypso Bluetooth wind sensors, and the SailHub™ broadcast system, covering virtually every on-water scenario.
Cons
- iOS Only: The display and data collection application is limited to iOS devices (iPhone/iPad), excluding Android users entirely.
- Additional Hardware for Best Results: Full functionality — especially on smaller boats — may require purchasing extra equipment like the Calypso wind sensor, AR glasses, or a SailHub™ station.
- Niche Audience: The platform is purpose-built for competitive sailboat racing, limiting its relevance to a very specific sporting community.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. For dinghies without instruments, Tactiqs uses the iPhone's built-in GPS, motion sensors, and a manual wind input function to track heading, point of sail, and wind shifts. The optional Calypso Ultrasonic Bluetooth wind sensor provides full wind data for even more accuracy.
Tactiqs tracks 62 different performance metrics for standard sailboats, plus an additional 25 metrics specifically designed for foiling vessels.
SailHub™ is a Tactiqs add-on that allows a coach boat or clubhouse to record and broadcast live wind data to all Tactiqs users in a class within a one-kilometer radius, ideal for group training and coaching sessions.
Yes. The system allows any number of iOS devices to connect and display performance data as customizable screens, making it suitable for multi-crew boats where different crew members need different metric views.
Yes. The app includes a restricted mode that limits the display to just a magnetic heading and start timer (with an optional distance-to-line feature), while still recording all available track and boat data silently in the background for post-race review.