Sailing Tech 2025: the yachting of the future

Imagine waking up on the deck of a yacht. The sun is just rising over the horizon, the sea is calm and you are about to set sail. But this time, something's different. Your boat is equipped with technologies that allow you to sail quietly, efficiently and sustainably. Welcome to sailing in 2025. Let’s take a look at how the future is already on board.

It’s quiet. You sail into a peaceful bay, hearing nothing but the sea and birdsong. Your yacht glides almost silently, thanks to electric propulsion. This is the experience offered by modern hybrid yachts that combine diesel and electric power. When you want silence, you simply switch to electric mode and carry on — accompanied only by the gentle splash of waves.

Of course, a classic sailboat offers the same tranquillity, without the need for charging stations or worrying about battery range. Pure, timeless silence — wherever you go.

Imagine this: it’s dark, foggy, and you're approaching an unfamiliar port. Visibility is close to zero. In the past, you’d be on high alert. But now, smart navigation systems like Raymarine’s ClearCruise™ give you peace of mind, overlaying real-time data about buoys, obstacles, and routes directly onto your display.

And that’s not all. Autopilots can now connect with mobile apps, making it easy to adjust your course or monitor your route from anywhere on the boat — straight from your phone or tablet. Sailing is becoming safer, smarter, and more accessible than ever.

Try or explore:

• Raymarine ClearCruise™ AR

• Garmin Reactor Autopilot

• B&G Zeus Series

• Simrad HALO Radar

• AIS Transponders (e.g. Vesper Marine)

Out on the water, plans can change quickly. You might need to check the weather, find a nearby anchorage, or reroute on the fly. How? Just pick up your phone and open the Navily app — home to a global database of over 40,000 anchorages and marinas. You find your spot, adjust your course, and get back to enjoying the rhythm of the waves.

Need a weather update? Apps like Windy or PredictWind provide detailed forecasts, even offshore — as long as you’re connected via satellite internet. Staying informed on the high seas is now simple and reliable.

Try or explore:

• Navily

• Navionics Boating

• Savvy Navvy

• PredictWind

• Windy

• Anchor Watch

• iNavX

• BoatWizard

In the past, heading offshore meant going off-grid. Now, systems like Starlink Maritime or Iridium GO! let you stay connected even far beyond the reach of mobile signals. Need to send a message, check weather updates, or hop on a quick video call? No problem.

And it’s not as expensive as it used to be. A fast satellite connection — say, 50 GB of data — costs around €240. For more basic needs like weather updates and emails without attachments, a slower Iridium GO! with unlimited data runs at roughly €160 per month. You can stay online, wherever your yacht takes you.

Try or explore:

• Starlink Maritime

• Iridium GO!

• Garmin inReach

• Globalstar Sat-Fi

• PredictWind Offshore

Your boat is docked, and you're off exploring. If someone climbs aboard or water starts seeping below deck, you’ll get an instant alert on your phone. The system watches over your yacht so you don’t have to — giving you peace of mind and a good night’s sleep before tomorrow’s voyage.

And it’s not just about theft or water. These systems can also keep an eye on temperature, humidity, smoke, battery levels, and more — helping you stay ahead of any issues.

Try or explore:

• Sentinel Marine

• Yacht Sentinel

• Yacht Controller

• Siren Marine

• Garmin Boat Switch

• SmartBoat One

The sun will delight you and the yacht, which recharges itself during the day with solar panels and produces drinking water from the sea. With small wind turbines and eco-friendly cleaning products , you reduce your footprint at sea. Does that sound like science fiction to you? It's not. Modern yachts are increasingly using such technology. And no wonder. It's good for energy, good for cost and good for the Earth.

If you're a fan of sustainability, you'll also be pleased to know that some yacht manufacturers are starting to use recyclable composite materials. It's a much greener alternative to laminates. You can continue to sail the seas and oceans with peace of mind and the planet won't suffer.

Try or explore:

• Solbian solar panels
• Watt&Sea hydrogenerators
• Spectra Watermakers
• EcoTank
• Oceanvolt regeneration system
• Green Yachting Guide (Clean Sailors)

Your yacht might already have a digital co-pilot — one that optimises your route based on wind conditions and can even perform anchoring manoeuvres on its own. Other systems can adjust your course or fine-tune sail trim in real time as the wind shifts.

Of course, you can still sail the old-fashioned way, doing everything manually and on your terms. That’s part of the joy of yachting. But when you want to take a break or simply see what today’s AI can offer, the option is there — smooth, safe and entirely under your control. Technology isn’t replacing the sailing experience — it’s enhancing it.

Try or explore:

• Brunswick AI Co-Captain

• Raymarine DockSense

• Garmin SmartMode

• B&G Sailing Performance Tools

• AutoRoute (PredictWind)

Your boat can have a digital co-pilot that optimises its course according to the wind and can perform an anchoring manoeuvre without your help. Other smart software can continuously adjust course or sail trim to match wind changes.

Of course, you can continue to do everything manually and the way you want. After all, that's why you're taking your yacht out on the waves. But if you happen to want to take a break for a while or are tempted to try out what modern AI can do, you have the opportunity. In peace and without fear. Science and technology are making sailing a more comfortable adventure.

Try it or explore it:

• Brunswick AI Co-Captain
• Raymarine DockSense
• Garmin SmartMode
• B&G Sailing Performance tools
• AutoRoute (PredictWind)

So, which technologies you would like to try on your next cruise? Are you excited by the possibilities, or do you prefer the charm of traditional sailing without all the tech? Let us know on our Facebook page!