EXPEDITION GRIB VIEWER

ABOVE - GFS MODEL, SYNOPTIC 'BIG PICTURE'

You can use the Expedition GRIB interface to quickly and easily acquire three wind models that are free to users:  GFS, NAM, and COAMPS.  The resolution is generally 15-30nm which is adequate for most sailors.

BELOW - PREDICTWIND HIGH RESOLUTION, 'LOCAL PICTURE'

Subscription services like PredictWind offer high resolution (+/- .5nm) GRIB files for specific regions.  PredictWind is a great investment if you are racing close to shore and want to have the best local modeling available.

BELOW - TIDETECH OCEAN CURRENTS 

A unique aspect of yacht racing is that it is the only sport where the playing field itself is constantly in flux.  High resolution wind GRIBs will give you an idea how the weather will behave, but the currents below your boat are equally important as you navigate from Point A to Point B.

Subscription services like TideTech offer GRIBs  that model major ocean currents like the Gulf Stream, and in specific regions they also offer high resolution tidal models.

The presence of major ocean currents will certainly have a profound impact on your Routing, so for offshore racers and passage-makers, TideTech is an important investment.

For detailed info on GRIB files and weather models, we strongly suggest picking up a copy of the Kindle book: 'Modern Race Navigation' by Will Oxley.