SailView - Tactical AR Glasses

Real-Time Racing Data, Right Where You’re Looking.

start clock, time-to-burn, laylines, and wind shifts, the tactical data you need, at the instant you need it.

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SailView

This project is still in its early stages, but I’m excited to share my progress here and on the official SailView website.

The idea is simple: in the next year or so, AR glasses like the Meta Orion will hit the market, and society will begin shifting from smartphones to wearable displays as our primary source of information. I want to start exploring that area—while building something useful aswell.

SailView is an app that runs on your phone (and eventually Garmin devices) to perform tactical sailing calculations and display them directly in your field of view.

It’s designed for formula kite racers, dinghy sailors, and small, fast, wet, unstable craft where mounting a tactical computer on deck is impractical. These sailors still need the same tactical insights as larger boats—but can’t afford to look down at a watch or cockpit display. With SailView, you keep your eyes up and your mind on the race.

This isn’t just GPS and compass data—it’s real-time tactical decision-making for the start line, wind shifts, laylines, and every critical point on the course.

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Phase 1 (Complete): App + AR Glasses Interface

I started with a pair of off-the-shelf sports AR glasses designed for cyclists who want real-time speed, elevation, and heart rate without taking their eye off the road. They include a developer SDK, making it possible to adapt them for other sports like paragliding—and now, sailing.

I built a cross-platform Flutter app for Android and iOS with the core UI layout and a working data link to the glasses, displaying test data.

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Phase 2 (Complete): GPS Data in the Glasses

The app is built around “display modes”—modular tactical data views that I can easily expand and add to over time.

The first proof-of-concept was 'Boat Speed Mode', displaying live GPS speed directly in view. This confirmed my data flow pipeline, helped me design the software architecture, and set up the visual asset system for easy future mode additions.

Next step: I still have some sensor fusion work to combine GPS, compass, and IMU for higher-resolution yacht state awareness.

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Phase 3 (Complete): Race Start Mode

For singlehanded sailors, keeping your head out of the boat during the prestart is critical. I wanted a way to subconsciously keep track of the start clock without looking down.

So I built a set of custom graphics and animations that flash in your peripheral vision at key intervals (2:00, 1:00, 30s, 20s, 10s, 8, 6, 4, 2, GO).   

This allows you to keep your eyes and mind on pre-start tactics while your subconcious mind and peripheral vision, keep you informed on where you are in the start sequence.

After GO, the app automatically switches to Tactical Mode.

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Phase 4 (In Progress): Tactical Mode

This is the most challenging—and the most exciting—part.

Most tactical tools require constant pings, calibrations, and manual input—often before every race. If the wind shifts or changes speed, you have to do it all over again. Many sailors skip using these tools because the setup is too cumbersome.

My approach: zero required input.

The app will learn your boat’s polars, detect wind shifts, remember the start line and marks, and track VMG—all in real time, with no button presses. It will recommend optimal tacks, track lifts and headers, and adapt as conditions change.

Most importantly, the app will learn—the more you use it, the smarter it gets.

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Phase 5: User Testing

Once Tactical Mode is functional, I’ll send test units to select sailors and gather feedback for refinement.

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Phase 6: Garmin Compatibility
In parallel with testing, I’ll begin porting the app to Garmin devices because:

- Advanced features will benefit from hardware buttons.
- Supplemental data can be displayed on the watch.
- Nearly every sailor I know owns one.
- Small boat sailors often leave their phone ashore.

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Phase 7: Iteration & Launch
Using tester feedback, I’ll refine features and prepare a beta release on Android, iOS, and Garmin app stores.

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If you’re interested in collaborating, have feature suggestions, or want progress updates, reach out via the Contact Me page here or at SailView.co.