A waterproof smart watch is a smart choice for anyone who loves boating or sporting activities around the water. I have tried out more waterproof smart watches than I can shake a stick at and here’s my guide to some of the best on the market right now. Editor\u2019s top choices at a glance<\/p>\n
Garmin Quatix 7 PRO
\nBest smart sailing watch
\nSpecifications: Apple or android smart phone compatible,\u00a0 Sizes: 47mm \/ 51mm, Weight 70g, Battery life: up to 16 days with screen on by demand, GPS tracking, waterproof to 10 ATM
\nReasons to Buy: Large easy to read face | incredible versatility for an array of lifestyle activity | healthy wellbeing and boat interactivity | customisable to suit individual needs | has a built in led torch!
\nReasons to Avoid: expensive bit of kit (but worth every penny)
\nGarmin\u2019s latest sailing smartwatch includes improvements to strengthen integration with onboard electronics and now sports a little red and white mini torch.
\nIt\u2019s a touchscreen model that can, for instance, be used to control MFD displays or Fusion audio systems, as well as Garmin autopilots.
\nYou can also pay for things with contactless payments, but you\u2019ll need to use an intermediary app, such as Curve if you are in the UK as British banks haven\u2019t signed up for that function directly yet.
\nHigh end Sapphire models add a new ultra-clear AMOLED touchscreen.
\nThe watch can output directly to Strava and myfitnesspal along with other apps according to your preference. We like this watch very much indeed and it is currently the best smart sailing watch for all round functionality. Pricey though, but worth it.
\nI\u2019m going to get straight to the point here, this watch is utterly brilliant. Once you put it on your wrist, you wont want to take it off. I have put a metal strap on mine as I find the Silicon strap, day to day can irritate my skin. But I pop on another sports strap for sportsing about.
\nI row, sail, swim, free dive, run, cycle, indoor row, do gym work, look up tides, sunrise and set times, Barometer, Storm alerts,\u00a0 monitor my heart rate, monitor my sleep patterns, use the multiple alarms for a multitude of stuff, sync the watch to the rowing machine, and pin drop where I parked my car because I tend to forget where I put it. Thankfully I\u2019ve never had to use the MOB alert button, but it\u2019s good to know it\u2019s there.
\nAnyway, if you want to know more about this and are wavering on dropping such a ton of money on it, just drop me a line and I\u2019ll happily answer any questions you might have.<\/p>\n
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Garmin Quatix 7
\nBest smart sailing watch
\nSpecifications: Apple or android smart phone compatible,\u00a0 Sizes: 47mm \/ 51mm, Weight 70g, Battery life: up to 16 days with screen on by demand, GPS tracking, waterproof to 10 ATM
\nReasons to Buy: Large easy to read face | incredible versatility for an array of lifestyle activity | healthy wellbeing and boat interactivity | customisable to suit individual needs
\nReasons to Avoid: Battery life not as good as the Quatix 6 if screen is always visible | bright facia can be distracting | touchscreen is pointless without the additional kit it interfaces with
\nGarmin\u2019s latest sailing smartwatch includes improvements to strengthen integration with onboard electronics.
\nIt\u2019s a touchscreen model that can, for instance, be used to control MFD displays or Fusion audio systems, as well as Garmin autopilots.
\nYou can also pay for things with contactless payments, but you\u2019ll need to use an intermediary app, such as Curve if you are in the UK as British banks haven\u2019t signed up for that function directly yet.
\nSo let\u2019s address the major change for the Quatix 7 over the Quatix 6, and that\u2019s the display. Plenty of folks complained about the darkness or difficulty seeing the Quatix 6 screen, so they\u2019ve addressed that with a much brighter lit up style of screen.\u00a0 It is very bright even when turned to its dimmest setting. To save the battery from being drained unnecessarily at night, there\u2019s a night time version of the watch screen where you can view it as a digital numeric mono display, on demand, otherwise the screen is completely blank. This brighter clearer display does come at a compromise of battery life or screen saver settings.
\nThe extra screen size in the same outer bezel size though is really very nice. Maps and other tracking options can be easily seen.
\nHigh end Sapphire models add a new ultra-clear AMOLED touchscreen.
\nThe watch can output directly to Strava and myfitnesspal along with other apps according to your preference. We like this watch very much indeed and it is currently the best smart sailing watch for all round functionality. Pricey though, but worth it.<\/p>\n
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Suunto Ocean Smart Diving and sailing watch
\nSpecifications:\u00a0Display: 1.43-inch AMOLED color display with sapphire glass and stainless steel bezel. Battery Life: Up to 60 hours in dive mode. Up to 50 hours with continuous GPS tracking.
\nDive Features: Supports single and multi-gas modes, including air and nitrox. Utilizes the Suunto B\u00fchlmann 16 GF algorithm for decompression management. Compatible with the Suunto Tank POD for wireless tank pressure monitoring. Customizable audio and vibration alarms for safety alerts.
\nSports and Activity Tracking: Over 95 sport modes, including running, cycling, swimming, and yoga. On-wrist heart rate monitoring, step counting, calorie tracking, and sleep analysis. Advanced training features with heart rate variability analysis.
\nNavigation and Outdoor Features: High-precision GNSS system for accurate location tracking. Offline maps available globally at no extra cost. Barometric sensor providing altitude readings and storm alarms.
\nReasons to Buy
\nDual-Purpose Design (Diving + Sports Tracking),\u00a0Premium Build with AMOLED Display,\u00a0Offline Maps & Advanced Navigation
\nReasons to Avoid
\nHigher Price Tag,\u00a0Limited App Ecosystem,
\nWhat I think of it\u2026
\nThis watch is a beast! As someone who enjoys both freediving and outdoor sports, this watch can handle both worlds on the water and under the water easily.
\nThe watch feels premium and rugged. The 1.43-inch AMOLED display is bright and crisp, even under direct sunlight. The sapphire glass and stainless steel bezel give it a solid, high-end feel, and I love that it\u2019s made in Finland with renewable energy. The strap is comfortable, and despite being packed with features, it\u2019s not overly bulky on my wrist, though let\u2019s not pretend this thing is small, I\u2019m used to wearing large watches, so if you do have a smaller wrist like me, it might take a little getting used to.
\nBattery life is good but not mind-blowing. I got around 50 hours with GPS tracking, and up to 60 hours in dive mode, but with regular smartwatch use, I needed to charge it every 4-5 days. That\u2019s reasonable, but some competitors last longer.
\nIf you\u2019re an adventurer who dives, hikes, and trains, this watch is one of the best all-in-one solutions out there. It\u2019s rugged, packed with features, and reliable in the water. However, if you\u2019re strictly a runner, sailor or cyclist, a dedicated Garmin or Coros watch might suit you better for the price.<\/p>\n
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Garmin MARQ Captain
\nBest premium sailing watch
\nSpecifications: Type: Smart | Size: 46mm
\nReasons to buy: Weather and tidal data | MOB and GPS functions | Stream boat data to your wrist
\nReasons to avoid: Full extent of capabilities is governed by the onboard technology it\u2019s connected to | Premium price
\nTested by: MBY Editor, Hugo Andreae
\nOur top priced pick comes from wearable tech-specialists, Garmin. The MARQ Captain sailing watch comes packed with marine-relevant features.
\nFunctions include weather and tidal data for your home port, a regatta timer to pinpoint starting times, a \u2018tack assist\u2019 function to determine whether you\u2019re on lift or a header, a man overboard button and GPS.
\nThe full extent of its capabilities is governed by the onboard technology to which it is connected, but possibilities include streaming boat data direct to your wrist wherever you are on the boat and controlling products from the Garmin-owned Fusion range of audio systems.<\/p>\n
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Note: We may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site, at no extra cost to you. This doesn\u2019t affect our editorial independence.<\/p>\n
Huawei GT 5 waterproof smartwatch
\nSpecifications: Type: Smart | Size: 46 mm and 41 mm, Weight: Approximately 48 g (excluding strap) Dimensions: 45.8 mm \u00d7 45.8 mm \u00d7 10.7 mm (based on 46mm model) Display: 1.43-inch AMOLED color screen with a resolution of 466 \u00d7 466 pixels (326 PPI), Strap Options: Black fluoroelastomer, brown composite leather, blue woven. Monitors over 60 health indicators, including heart rate, sleep patterns, stress levels, and SpO2 (blood oxygen saturation). Sports Modes: Supports over 100 workout modes, with advanced tracking for running and cycling. Battery life based on 46mm model: Up to 14 days with typical usage, Up to 9 days with heavy usage, Up to 5 days with Always On Display (AOD) enabled. The 41mm model is approx half the battery life of 46mm model.
\nWater Resistance: 5 ATM and IP69K ratings, suitable for swimming and exposure to high-pressure water jets. Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.2, NFC, and compatibility with Android 9.0\/iOS 13.0 or later. Navigation: Dual-band five-system GNSS for precise positioning during outdoor activities. Smart Functions: Bluetooth calling, message notifications, and support for third-party app installations via HUAWEI AppGallery.
\nReasons to buy: Long Battery Life, Comprehensive Health & Fitness Tracking (over 100 workout modes), water resistant for swimming
\nReasons to avoid: Lacks advanced third-party app integrations like Spotify offline playback, does not support Google services, meaning no Google Maps, Google Assistant, or Play Store apps.
\nIn the hand, the GT 5 feels premium. I picked up the 46mm black strap version, and the build quality feels solid yet lightweight. The AMOLED display looks good, with sharp colours and deep blacks. It looks just as premium as high-end smartwatches like the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 or Apple Watch Ultra but with a more classic, round design.
\nThe battery life on the Huawei GT is excellent.\u00a0With normal use (notifications, workouts, sleep tracking, and always-on display off), you can easily got 10-12 days on a single charge.
\nEven with AOD enabled and frequent GPS use, it will still last around 5-7 days, which is pretty good compared to some high end smartwatches that barely last two days. (Apple watch I\u2019m looking at you)
\nI mainly use smartwatches for fitness tracking, and the GT 5 does not disappoint. The fitness tracking is excellent. Monitoring heart rate, SpO2, sleep tracking, and stress monitoring, whch according to lots of Huawei GT users are comparably accurate compared to sector leader, Garmin.
\nThe watch has over 100+ workout modes with real-time running analysis and a dual band GPS which is accurate, certainly as accurate as other watches at twice the price.
\nThe smart features are a little bit limited though, as there\u2019s no Google services, so no Google Maps, Google Assistant, or Play Store. No third-party app support beyond Huawei\u2019s AppGallery, which has very few useful apps.
\nYou also can\u2019t reply to messages directly from the watch (only preset replies for Android), but the bluetooth calling works well, and the speaker is loud and clear.
\nThe 46mm version is comfortable, though it\u2019s slightly big for smaller wrists. The fluoroelastomer strap is soft and durable. 5ATM & IP69K water resistance means you can shower and swim with it without worry.
\nIf you want to go freediving or require a higher level of spec, then I recommend the Huawei GT 5 Pro as a step up from the base model.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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Garmin Instinct 2S Solar
\nSpecifications: Type: Smart | Size: 40mm \/ 45mm \/ 50mm, weight 53g(2oz)
\nReasons to buy: GPS positioning on charts | barometric pressure and compass | Smartphone connectivity | An incredible amount of styles and colours | A single charge lasts 14 days
\nReasons to avoid: Premium price without a premium design
\nThe Instinct 2, launched in February 2022 is Garmin\u2019s all-round watch, which they call their outdoors watch. Features that are particularly relevant to sailors include GPS positioning on charts; barometric pressure and a compass.
\nIt has smartphone connectivity, receives emails and texts, and can control music via a phone. This watch also has an inbuilt thermometer and heart rate monitor.
\nThe Garmin Instinct is available in no fewer than 20 different styles and colours. It\u2019s actual diameter is 47mm (1 13\/16\u201d in) but the viewable face is 32mm (1 1\/4\u201d). The Instinct is 16mm (5\/8\u201d in) thick and weighs 53g (2 oz).
\nFor racing sailors, it also has multiple start sequence options. I have tested this watch out cycling, sailing, at the pool and it performed brilliantly. What it lacks in sophistication and no touch screen, it more than makes up for in functionality.
\nThe Garmin Instinct watch is a good alternative for anyone seeking a more moderately priced alternative to the Quatix range.<\/p>\n
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Garmin Quatix 6 Multisport Marine Smartwatch
\nSpecifications: Apple or android smart phone compatible,\u00a0 Sizes: 47mm \/ 51mm, weight 82g, Battery life: up to 16 days with screen always visible, GPS tracking, waterproof to 10 ATM
\nReasons to buy: Suits a multitude of water activity | Highly customisable | An incredible amount of data available on your wrist | A single charge lasts 14 days
\nReasons to avoid: High level of functionality is not for the technologically phobic
\nThis watch I tested comprehensively for several weeks\/months \u2013 it is a very smart design, with functions for every type of pastime on the water and off it.
\nGarmin is well known for superior boating instruments and they have now managed to squeeze all the data of a ten-inch chartplotter into a 1.3\u201d inch round sailing watch. Bluetooth functionality means you can connect it to a Garmin chartplotter using the free Garmin Connect app, and to other makes of plotter using the Garmin transceiver (a $150 extra).
\nThis allows all the features of a chartplotter to be displayed on the watch, including charts and even autopilot control to allow you to\u00a0change heading or follow a GPS route \u2013 provided it is also connected through the chartplotter.
\nThe Quatix 6 also offers more typical smartwatch functions including the ability to receive email and texts, can be used to control music on board, and monitors the user\u2019s heart-rate.
\nIt\u2019s simple to switch between \u2018boat display\u2019 and \u2018stylish watch\u2019 modes, as hundreds of different watch faces that can be downloaded to customise it to the wearer\u2019s preference, including an antique style face and even a copy of Big Ben.\u00a0The Quatix 6 can also be switched between analogue and digital.
\nIt\u2019s overall diameter is 51mm (2\u201d in) with a 36mm (1 5\/8\u201d in) viewable face, and it is 17mm (11\/16\u201d) thick. The Quatix 6\u2019s weight is 83g (3oz) with the plastic strap or 156g (5.5oz) with the stainless band, which is quite a bit heavier than a conventional watch.<\/p>\n
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FAQ: What makes the best sailing watch?
\nThe ability to read the time, countdown or data in a hurry or at an angle is key, so look out for digital readouts with large numbers \u2013 some sailing watches have the ability to switch from digital to analogue readouts \u2013 and screens that can be viewed in different qualities of daylight. Backlit functions are essential for anyone heading offshore, whether racing or cruising.
\nA well-fitting wristband or strap with a secure clasp is vital to keep the watch on your arm. Most sailing watches have soft rubber or synthetic wristbands, which are more durable in a marine environment, and safer than steel. Rubber straps are also lighter and easier to adjust.
\nIf you plan to use your watch for race start timing, look for programmable start sequence options, a sync button, countdowns that switch to seconds in the final stages. A loud, clear alarm or \u2018beep\u2019 function that tells you time to the gun is particularly useful, so you can keep watching your course, trim and other boats around you during the final approach to the line rather than having to glance at your wrist.
\nYou can read more about other types of GPS enabled and waterproof fitness trackers and smart watches at YBW.com
\nDidn\u2019t find what you\u2019re looking for? Head to Amazon\u2019s dedicated boating page for more marine products.
\nThe post Best Waterproof Smart Watches For Sailing appeared first on Yachting World.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
A waterproof smart watch is a smart choice for anyone who loves boating or sporting activities around the water. I have tried out more waterproof smart watches than I can shake a stick at and here’s my guide to some … <\/p>\n