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SailPlot - Digital Tactics Board for Sailboat Racing

  • Oliver Heisel
  • Aug 21
  • 4 min read

SailPlot is a browser-based tactics board for sailboat racing. Race situations, courses, start lines, boats and tactical scenarios can be created and modified directly in the browser and then used and shared for training, analysis or debriefings.


The basic version is freely available and SailPlot's functional core is open source. In addition, customized versions with an individual logo, colors and a dedicated URL can be provided. SailPlot therefore combines a freely available open-source tool with a customizable digital product.






Initial Situation

In sailboat racing, situations often need to be explained that are difficult to describe using words alone. Starts, overlaps, mark roundings, boat positions or tactical decisions are therefore frequently illustrated using whiteboards, paper or general-purpose drawing tools.


These approaches work in principle, but they are not specifically designed for sailboat racing. At the same time, situations can only be stored, modified or shared digitally to a limited extent. What was needed was an easily accessible tactics board that works directly in the browser and already includes typical elements used in sailboat racing.


Origin and Further Development

SailPlot is based on the open-source project boats, which was originally developed as a desktop application for visualizing sailboat racing scenarios.


SailPlot takes this basic idea and develops it further for modern browser-based use. Instead of requiring a locally installed desktop application, it is now available as a web application that can be used directly in the browser.


The concept has been further developed both technically and functionally. SailPlot provides a modern user interface, different boat types and racing elements, as well as functions for sharing and exporting situations. At the same time, the application has been structured so that it can be configured, customized and, in the future, connected to additional systems through interfaces.


SailPlot itself is also maintained as an open-source project:



Defined Solution

SailPlot provides a freely accessible workspace specifically designed for sailboat racing. Boats, marks, start and finish lines, wind directions and other elements can be positioned freely and combined with one another.


This makes it possible to prepare start situations, explain tactical decisions or reconstruct situations after a training session or race. Coaches can prepare scenarios and discuss possible decisions together with sailors without having to redraw the entire situation each time.


The first published version deliberately focuses on this functionality as a digital tactics board. SailPlot is designed to remain easily accessible. No installation or dedicated system is required for basic use.


Open Source and Customized Product

The functional core of SailPlot is publicly available and can be used freely. Building on this foundation, an additional model for customized versions has been developed. Coaches, teams, clubs or companies can use SailPlot with their own logo, colors and additional customizations. Such a version can also be provided under its own URL. A sailing club, for example, can offer its members a dedicated digital tactics board under its own branding.


The functional core and customer-specific configuration are separated from one another. Improvements to the SailPlot editor itself can therefore be developed centrally, while branding and individual settings are configured separately. A payment system has also been integrated for these customized versions. SailPlot therefore includes not only the development of a web application, but also the technical foundation for a complete digital product with a freely available version, configuration options, customized deployments and payment processing.



Result & Added Value

SailPlot creates a shared visual basis for coaches, sailors and teams. Complex racing situations can be illustrated and discussed significantly faster than when several positions, directions of movement and tactical options have to be explained verbally.


The browser-based implementation also keeps the barrier to entry low. The application can be opened and used directly. Thanks to the open-source code, the technical foundation remains transparent and can continue to be developed.


SailPlot therefore combines three levels:Open-source tactics board → customizable digital product → foundation for future data-driven functionality.


Next Development Stage

The current tactics board deliberately represents the first stage of development. In the future, SailPlot is intended to become more closely connected with real-world data and existing systems used in sailboat racing.


Interfaces to tracking systems are particularly interesting. Position and race data could be imported directly, meaning that real situations would no longer have to be reconstructed entirely by hand. A start, mark rounding or tactically interesting situation could be reconstructed from existing tracking data and subsequently discussed within SailPlot.


Additional interfaces could include wind data, course information or start-line data. The goal is not to replace existing specialized systems, but to bring their information together within an understandable visual environment.


Cooperations and input from the sailboat racing community therefore play an important role in the further development of SailPlot. The integrations that are ultimately implemented should be based on the systems and data sources already used by coaches, clubs, race organizers and other stakeholders.



Technical Implementation


SailPlot was developed as a modern browser-based web application using React and TypeScript. The actual editor is separated from branding, configuration and additional functionality. This allows the same functional core to be used for both the public version and customized variants.

A payment system has also been integrated for the commercial versions. The architecture is additionally prepared for the future integration of external data through interfaces, allowing tracking, position or other race-related data to be combined with the existing visual elements.

SailPlot therefore further develops the original idea of a digital tool for visualizing sailboat racing situations into a modern, browser-based and extensible platform.


Technologies used: React · TypeScript · GitHub · Open Source · Cloudflare · Paddle · APIs

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