How to Configure Your Vessel’s Polar

Savvy Navvy uses your vessel’s polar to calculate the most accurate sailing routes possible. Setting this up correctly ensures the app reflects your boat’s true performance in different wind conditions.

How to Configure Your Polar in Savvy Navvy

1. Open the Main Menu

Tap the three horizontal lines (☰) in the top left corner.

2. Go to Boat Settings

Select Boat Settings from the menu.

3. Select Your Boat Type

Choose Sailboat or Catamaran to unlock polar settings.

4. Choose or Adjust Your Polar

• Savvy Navvy provides default polars for common boat sizes.
• Adjust any available settings to better match your real-world performance.

5. Save Your Settings

Once saved, all new routes will use your updated polar for speed and time calculations.

Pro Tips for Accurate Routing

• If you don’t know your polar, start with a default one for your boat type and size.

• Update your polar if you change sails, rigging, or add significant weight to your boat.

• Combine polar settings with accurate minimum speed to sail and engine use preferences for best results.

Polar & Routing

What is a Polar?

A polar is a performance chart for a sailboat (or multihull) that shows how fast it can sail at different wind speeds and wind angles. Think of it as your boat’s personal speed profile—it’s the data that tells Savvy Navvy:

• How fast you go when the wind is on the beam, on the nose, or downwind
• How speed changes as wind strength increases or decreases
• The best angles to sail for optimal performance

When is a Polar Relevant?

Polars are only relevant for sailboats (monohulls and catamarans). Motorboats, fishing boats, jetskis, and paddlesports vessels don’t use polars because their speeds are not determined by wind angle or strength.

• If you have a sailboat, setting your polar means Savvy Navvy can:
• Accurately predict travel time in varying wind and tide conditions
• Suggest realistic sail-only routes
• Decide when motoring is recommended if wind isn’t sufficient

How Your Polar Impacts Routing

When you plot a route, Savvy Navvy calculates your expected Speed Over Ground (SOG) based on:

• Wind speed & direction at each leg of the journey
• Tidal currents
• Your polar data

If your polar is set incorrectly (or left at default), your route’s timings and recommendations may be inaccurate.

If you have any questions or feedback please contact our team at ahoy@savvy-navvy.com OR via our in-app chat and we will be happy to assist you!

Updated on: 14/08/2025