Route · Noordzeerecord

Read-only view · automatic forecast runs every three hoursCron forecast · Last result: 2026-09-16 23:06:16 UTC

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Route performance

Best route: Latest route
Trip duration: 4.88 h

ONBOARD AI · FINAL STRATEGY

Choose 72h for the fastest deterministic arrival with a continuous broad reach and no major maneuver.

72h has the fastest deterministic ETA at 2026-09-19T04:53:00Z, the shortest duration at 4.883 hours, and the highest average SOG at 20.726 kn among the 101.212 nm routes. Its speed is supported by sustained 23-25 kn wind, strong broad-reach performance, and only modest adverse along-track current after about 37 nm. It avoids the mandatory 180-degree turn and upwind finish that makes 80h materially slower and more complex.

Main risk: The route depends on the forecast sustaining strong wind and manageable current: it has a strong early cross-current, a current reversal near 37 nm, adverse along-track current through much of the middle, and a late wind transition.

Fallback 88h: Prefer 88h when the 72h early wind build appears delayed or weaker than forecast, or when the 72h current reversal and adverse middle section are materially worse than expected while 88h's later favorable-current pattern remains credible.

ONBOARD AI · ROUTE PLAN

Tactical briefing · 72h

Moderate

Maintain the planned eastbound broad-reach route throughout. Steer the supplied course-to-steer heading, progressively increasing the starboard correction as the positive cross-current and leeway requirement develop. Use the strengthening wind to build speed early, then monitor the adverse along-track current and easing wind through the middle and final sections.

No tack or gybe is indicated: the entire 101.2 nm route remains a broad reach. Hold about 92-95 degrees by the supplied steering solution, prepare for sustained 23-25 kn wind, and expect the main speed loss from adverse current rather than poor boat performance.

Navigator priorities

1Hold the supplied course-to-steer heading, increasing the starboard correction from about 1-2 degrees initially to about 4-5 degrees late.
2Prepare for sustained 23-25 kn wind on a broad reach; monitor helm load and depower or reduce sail only if control requires it.
3Expect the current reversal near 37 nm and the strongest adverse along-track current around 48-64 nm.
4Distinguish current-driven SOG changes from boat performance: STW remains about 20-22 kn while adverse current reduces SOG.
5Monitor the wind transition near 84 nm and maintain accurate cross-track control through the final 18 nm.

Route watchlist

High0.0 nmWind

Build speed as the wind strengthens

Set up efficiently for the broad reach and allow the boat to accelerate as the wind builds toward 22-23 kn. Monitor helm balance and apparent-wind angle rather than chasing an instantaneous speed target.

Prepare: Check broad-reach trim, steering calibration, and crew readiness for increasing loads before departure.

TWS rises rapidly from 18.4 kn with a positive 15-minute wind-speed trend, while expected STW and SOG rise from about 17 kn toward 20 kn.

Wind 18.4 knSOG 17.0 knAlong current 0.1 kn

High27.0 nmCurrent

Hold the starboard cross-current correction

Steer the supplied course-to-steer heading, about 93 degrees in this section, which is approximately 3 degrees to starboard of the planned route course. Do not apply windDriftDeg a second time.

Prepare: Brief the helmsman that the starboard correction increases progressively from about 1-2 degrees near the start to about 3 degrees by 27 nm.

The positive cross-current remains substantial while the supplied correction grows from 1.4 degrees initially to 2.8 degrees by 27 nm; along-track current is small, so this is primarily a steering correction rather than a speed effect.

Wind 23.3 knSOG 21.0 knAlong current 0.0 kn

Medium8.0 nmTransition

Expect the first small adverse-current transition

Continue on the planned heading and watch SOG against STW as the along-track current turns slightly adverse. Avoid over-trimming or altering course to recover a small current-related speed change.

Prepare: Have the navigator monitor the current trend and verify that the small SOG reduction is not a boat-performance problem.

Along-track current changes from near neutral to slightly negative around 8 nm, while the cross-current remains positive and strong.

Wind 20.8 knSOG 19.1 knAlong current 0.0 kn

High20.0 nmSpeed

Use the 21-37 nm speed window

Keep the sails powered and the boat settled through this faster section, while maintaining control as TWS reaches about 24 kn. Make only small trim changes and preserve steering accuracy.

Prepare: Check sail controls and crew position before entering the higher-speed section; be ready to depower if helm load or control deteriorates.

The route engine shows repeated speed increases near 21 nm and 37 nm, with expected SOG around 21.1-21.7 kn and favorable or near-neutral along-track current.

Wind 23.5 knSOG 21.1 knAlong current 0.0 kn

High37.0 nmCurrent

Expect adverse current from 37 nm onward

Expect SOG to fall below STW as the current turns adverse; maintain the supplied heading and do not sacrifice the planned track to chase speed.

Prepare: Brief the crew that the next several hours are current-limited and set realistic SOG expectations before 37 nm.

The supplied event marks a reversal near 37 nm. Thereafter along-track current becomes increasingly adverse, reaching roughly -0.2 kn, while STW remains near 21-22 kn.

Wind 23.6 knSOG 21.2 knAlong current 0.0 kn

High47.6 nmCurrent

Manage the strongest adverse-current zone

Keep the boat sailing at target performance and judge progress by expected SOG, not STW alone. Hold the supplied course-to-steer heading near 94 degrees and retain the starboard correction.

Prepare: Set watch expectations for a gradual SOG reduction and monitor cross-track error as the adverse current strengthens.

Along-track current is most adverse from about 48-64 nm, near -0.2 kn, while expected STW stays around 21.4-21.8 kn; the resulting SOG loss is current-driven.

Wind 24.6 knSOG 21.4 knAlong current -0.2 kn

Medium55.0 nmWind

Protect speed as the wind eases

Trim for consistent power and avoid sailing too deep as TWS eases toward 23 kn. Maintain boat-speed targets without overreacting to the adverse current.

Prepare: Keep normal broad-reach trim adjustments available and continue monitoring apparent-wind angle and helm balance.

From roughly 47-60 nm the 15- and 30-minute trends indicate easing wind, and expected SOG declines mainly because both wind pressure and along-track current become less favorable.

Wind 24.4 knSOG 21.2 knAlong current -0.2 kn

High83.0 nmCourse Change

Maintain the largest starboard correction late

Steer about 95 degrees as supplied, approximately 4-5 degrees to starboard of the planned route course, to hold the planned track. Keep checking cross-track error rather than steering only by compass course.

Prepare: Brief the helmsman before 83 nm that the required starboard correction remains largest through the finish, even though the cross-current is weakening.

The supplied correction increases to 4.3 degrees at 83 nm and 4.8 degrees by 97 nm. Along-track current remains adverse, but cross-current decreases toward the finish.

Wind 23.5 knSOG 20.9 knAlong current -0.1 kn

Medium84.0 nmSail Change

Monitor the late wind increase, then ease toward the finish

Expect a brief late increase toward 24.7 kn, then easing toward 23.9 kn after about 93 nm. Keep the broad-reach setup under control and consider depowering or a sail reduction only if the stronger phase produces excessive helm load or loss of control.

Prepare: Have the crew ready to adjust trim promptly before 84 nm; no mode change or mandatory sail change is indicated by the route data.

TWS rises from about 23.5 to 24.7 kn around 84-89 nm, then falls toward 23.9 kn near the finish while TWA remains a broad-reach angle.

Wind 24.6 knSOG 21.5 knAlong current -0.1 kn

Speed zones

Slow water0.0 nm → 10.0 nm

Initial wind is still building; expected SOG rises from about 17.0 to 19.0 kn.

Expected SOG 17.0–19.4 kn

Fast water11.0 nm → 41.0 nm

TWS is about 22-24 kn, expected STW is about 20-21.4 kn, and the current is neutral to favorable along track.

Expected SOG 20.1–21.7 kn

Slow water42.0 nm → 83.0 nm

Adverse along-track current reaches roughly -0.2 kn and the wind gradually eases through much of the section.

Expected SOG 20.5–21.7 kn

Fast water84.0 nm → 91.0 nm

A late wind increase raises expected STW and SOG before the wind eases again.

Expected SOG 20.9–21.6 kn

Slow water92.0 nm → 101.2 nm

Wind eases toward 23.8-23.9 kn and residual adverse current remains, while expected STW stays near 21.0 kn.

Expected SOG 20.8–21.6 kn

Current strategy

The route starts with a strong positive cross-current and small along-track benefit, turns slightly adverse near 8 nm, becomes neutral or favorable again near 21-37 nm, then reverses near 37 nm. From there to the finish the along-track current is generally adverse, while the positive cross-current gradually weakens. Follow the supplied starboard correction, increasing to about 4-5 degrees late in the route.

Best push: Approximately 21-41 nm, where along-track current is near neutral to favorable and reaches about +0.1 kn.
Biggest penalty: Approximately 48-64 nm, where along-track current is about -0.2 kn.
Cross-current: Approximately 0-21 nm, where positive cross-current is near 1.0-1.3 kn.

Sail plan

0.0 nm → 20.0 nmBroad Reach

Maintain a controlled broad reach while the wind builds from about 18 to 23 kn. Trim for acceleration and monitor increasing loads.

20.0 nm → 47.0 nmBroad Reach

Sail powered and efficiently through the faster section as TWS reaches about 23-24 kn. Keep the supplied starboard correction and prepare to manage higher loads.

47.0 nm → 84.0 nmBroad Reach

Protect consistent boat performance as wind pressure gradually eases and adverse current strengthens. Do not chase current-related SOG losses with unnecessary course changes.

84.0 nm → 101.2 nmBroad Reach

Monitor the brief increase toward 24.7 kn, then ease toward 23.8 kn. Keep the boat controlled and hold the larger supplied starboard steering correction through the finish.

Ask about the routes

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