GPS Tracking

GPS tracking is the continuous recording and sharing of a vessel’s position, course and speed using satellite positioning equipment aboard. It turns latitude and longitude fixes into a track line, showing where the boat is now and where it has been during a coastal trip, race or offshore passage.

Accurate tracking helps skippers verify progress against a passage plan, update crew and shoreside contacts, and identify deviations caused by leeway, tide or weather. It complements GPS, AIS and Search And Rescue, making it easier to maintain situational awareness and provide a reliable last-known position in an emergency. For fleets and charter operators, recorded tracks also support accountability and operational review.

In PredictWind, GPS tracking is especially useful when combined with forecasts, routing and onboard data. The DataHub can share vessel tracking data and connect NMEA instruments, so position information works alongside wind, performance and route data. This gives sailors and power boaters a clearer picture of the voyage in real time and after arrival.