PredictWind launches AI router to help sailors decide when to leave

Marine weather forecaster, PredictWind, has launched an AI Weather Router.

The feature’s built into its Weather Routing and Departure Planning tools and is said to turn complex routing results into clear, practical briefings that help sailors and powerboaters decide when to set off and understand what lies ahead.

Founded in 2010 by Olympian and two-time America’s Cup winner Jon Bilger, Auckland-based PredictWind provides marine weather forecasting, routing and departure planning tools.

“When I was forecasting the weather for two America’s Cup-winning campaigns, every morning started with a briefing that turned the forecasts into a clear plan for the day,” says Bilger.

“AI Weather Router gives every sailor that same kind of briefing. It reads the routes the way an expert router would, tells you which day to leave and why, and is honest about where the forecast becomes less certain.”

Comparing departure windows and passage conditions

AI Weather Router doesn’t create its own forecast. PredictWind’s routing algorithm first calculates the routes using the selected boat’s performance data and preferences. AI Weather Router then interprets those results the way a professional weather router would. It explains how the routes and departure days differ and how each stretch of the passage will feel on board, and draws attention to details that could otherwise be missed.

“I believe this technology is a game changer for offshore sailing and marine safety,” says Bilger.

“For years, we’ve seen sailors make fundamental mistakes when interpreting weather routing and departure planning results. The underlying forecast data and routing calculations might be excellent, but if the sailor misunderstands the information, they can still make a poor decision.

“Our AI Weather Router addresses this critical gap between sophisticated weather technology and the sailor’s ability to interpret it correctly.”

Weighing up wind conditions, passage duration, upwind sailing, motoring, rain and potential thunderstorm activity, the system compares up to four departure windows.

“We genuinely believe this is one of the most significant advances we’ve made in weather routing and departure planning,” says Bilger. “The feedback has been excellent.”

He doesn’t see see any significant barriers to adoption except for, perhaps, scepticism about AI itself, “particularly among experienced sailors who are accustomed to making their own weather decisions.” But the AI isn’t replacing the sailor’s judgement. “It’s providing a second opinion from what is effectively a highly knowledgeable weather routing assistant, helping sailors make more informed decisions.

“Once sailors see the depth and quality of the analysis, and how clearly it explains complex routing information, that scepticism will quickly disappear.”

Forecast confidence and changing weather conditions

AI Weather Router interprets the calculated routes across eight forecast models. Broken into time periods suited to the passage’s length, it explains expected winds and gusts, changing conditions, and any demanding stages of the journey. The briefings also highlight where forecast confidence drops further into a passage, typically beyond about five days, helping skippers prepare their crew before departure and reassess conditions while underway.

Every briefing is specific to the boat and passage being planned, with detailed maps, graphs and tables available alongside the written assessment. AI Weather Router is designed to support the skipper’s judgement, not replace it.

For professional subscribers, boat motion analysis covers roll, vertical acceleration and slamming, plus the likelihood of seasickness, injury and fatigue, how well the crew will sleep, and how hard it will be to move around the boat.

It also offers a brief bullet-point summary to share with crew.

Feedback and the future

At the outset, the company assumed the system’s greatest value would be for less experienced sailors who needed help interpreting complex weather routing results. But Bilger says he’s been surprised at how valuable it has proven to be for professional sailors as well.

“One of our team members is a former Volvo Ocean Race sailor and professional delivery captain with hundreds of thousands of offshore miles under his belt. He recently used the AI Weather Router on a passage from New Zealand to Australia and has become one of its strongest advocates.

“When someone with that level of experience finds genuine value in the AI analysis, it demonstrates that this isn’t simply a tool for beginners.”

Bilger believes his product could make a profound difference to safety at sea.

“We believe a significant proportion of recreational offshore sailors lack the depth of seamanship and meteorological experience needed to confidently interpret complex weather information.

“Making expert-level analysis accessible to these sailors could help prevent dangerous decisions.

“I genuinely believe this technology has the potential to save lives at sea,” he concludes. “That’s an incredibly exciting prospect, and far more important than simply making weather routing more convenient.”

AI Weather Router availability and pricing

AI Weather Router is available now to all standard and professional subscribers through the PredictWind app, the Forecast Website and the Offshore App. Details of the system are available on the company’s website.