True Wind Angle

True Wind Angle (TWA) is the angle between a vessel’s heading and the true wind direction, measured relative to the bow after removing the effect of the boat’s own motion. It is usually shown from 0° to 180° on port or starboard, describing whether the boat is sailing upwind, reaching, or downwind.

For sailors, TWA is central to sail trim, target speeds, tack and gybe decisions, and safe passage planning. Holding an efficient angle helps improve VMG, choose the correct Sail Type, and compare performance against a Sail Polar. Sudden changes in TWA can also signal shifting conditions before they affect boat handling.

PredictWind routing uses forecast wind and vessel performance data to model the best angles for your boat. With DataHub and AI Polars, logged instrument data can refine how your yacht performs at different TWA and True Wind Speed combinations.