Maneuver analysis: jibes, tacks and 360s step by step

A jibe can look good from the beach, but it can cost much speed. WindSportTracker finds each jibe, tack and 360 in your GPS track. For each maneuver, the app shows the result, the direction and the angle. It also shows the speed at the entry, at the mid point and at the exit. You can examine each maneuver step by step in the speed chart and on the map.

The session statistics show your success rate and your preferred direction. Thus, you can see which maneuver and which side to train more.

During the 27-day trial, all functions are available. You can do a test of the maneuver analysis with your sessions before you buy a subscription.

What the maneuver analysis shows

For each session, the maneuver analysis shows these values:

• Count: The number of jibes, tacks and 360s.
• Success rate: The percentage of maneuvers with a good result, for each type of maneuver.
• Preferred direction: The count and the success rate on port and on starboard.

For each maneuver, the app shows these values:

• Result: For example, planed through or foiled through.
• Direction: Port or starboard (for a 360: upwind or downwind).
• Entry speed: The speed at the start of the maneuver.
• Mid speed: The speed at the mid point of the maneuver.
• Exit speed: The speed at the end of the maneuver.
• Angle: The angle between your course at the start and your course at the exit.

Jibes and tacks

A jibe (gybe) is a change of direction with the wind behind you. A tack is a change of direction through the wind. In kitesurfing and kitefoiling, riders also use the word “transition” for these maneuvers. The app uses the same values for all of these maneuvers.

360s

A 360 is a full turn. It starts with a tack or with a jibe. The app shows a 360 as a different type of maneuver, not as a tack or a jibe. Thus, your jibe statistics stay correct when you train 360s.

A 360 also gets a result, an entry speed, a mid speed and an exit speed. The direction of a 360 shows if you started upwind (with a tack) or downwind (with a jibe).

The result of a maneuver

The result shows if you completed the maneuver correctly. The possible results are different for each type of craft:

• Fin board, boat or land yacht: Planed through, partially planed or not planed through.
• Foil: Foiled through, partially foiled or crashed.

In sailing, landsailing and kitesurfing, the speed usually stays above the planing speed during the maneuver. Thus, most maneuvers get a good result. In these sports, a bad result is usually the result of a crash during the turn.

The success rate is the percentage of maneuvers with a good result. The app shows the success rate for each type of maneuver and for each direction.

Speed and angle

The three speed values show where the speed decreased. If the mid speed is much lower than the entry speed, the problem is in the first part of the turn. If the exit speed is low, the speed increases slowly on the new course.

The angle shows how much your course changed from the start to the exit. A 180° jibe at full planing speed is a sign of a good rider. The cause of many bad results is a turn that is too tight. Then the speed and the momentum decrease too much. For beginners, wider angles are easier.

Step by step in the speed chart and on the map

Select a maneuver in the list. The app shows the section of this maneuver on the speed-colored map and in the speed chart. You can go through the maneuver step by step. The chart shows the speed second by second, and the map shows your track.

Thus, you can see where the speed started to decrease and where the speed increased again. Compare a maneuver with a good result and a maneuver with a bad result. The difference in the entry speed, the mid speed and the angle frequently shows the cause.

Port and starboard

Most riders have a stronger side. The app shows the count and the success rate for port and for starboard independently. A weaker side is not a fault. It is a clear task for your next session.

For 360s, the app shows how frequently you start upwind or downwind. Select the 360s of one direction and compare their speed values.

Record and import

The maneuver analysis is available for all sessions in the applicable sports. The device that recorded the session is not important.

• iPhone, Android, Apple Watch and Wear OS: These devices record directly with WindSportTracker.
• Garmin, Coros, Suunto and Polar: After you connect the account one time, these watches send new sessions to WindSportTracker automatically.
• Other formats: Imported sessions get the full analysis, which includes the maneuver analysis.

More information about devices and import is in compatible devices.

Questions and answers

What is the result of a maneuver?

The result shows how you rode the maneuver. On a fin board, a boat or a land yacht, the result is planed through, partially planed or not planed through. On a foil, the result is foiled through, partially foiled or crashed.

Does the app count a 360 as a jibe or a tack?

No. A 360 starts with a jibe or a tack, but the app shows the 360 as a different type of maneuver. The direction of a 360 shows if you started upwind or downwind.

What does the angle of a maneuver show?

The angle shows how much your course changed from the start to the exit of the maneuver. A 180° jibe at full planing speed is a sign of a good rider.

Can I use the maneuver analysis with a Garmin, Coros, Suunto or Polar watch?

Yes. After you connect the account, these watches send the sessions to WindSportTracker automatically. The app then does the full analysis, which includes the maneuver analysis.

Try the maneuver analysis

During the 27-day trial, you can use the maneuver analysis with your sessions. After the trial, WindSportTracker costs €2.70 each month or €27 each year when you pay in the web app. The price can be different in other currencies and because of taxes.