SailProfile User Guide

Quick, reliable sail shape analysis designed by sailors, for sailors. Capture more on the water and spend 10× less time processing on shore.

Overview

Quick Start

Four steps from camera to insights.

1

Mount Camera

Place the camera on the boom, parallel to it, so your photo/video bottom edge is horizontal to the boom. The boom is our neutral axis for twist measurement.

2

Capture Consistently

For reliable comparisons, always shoot from the same position and angle. With a phone, hold it as parallel to the boom as possible.

3

Upload

Login and drop your photos or videos into SailProfile app through the Upload button.

4

Mark & Save

Mark 5 points per camber line (always start at the mast, finish at the leech). Adjust if needed, then save to session. In videos, your marked points carry forward frame-to-frame.

Result: Clean, comparable data you can trust, ready to review, comment, and export to PDF.
Access

Account Registration

To use the platform, your email must be registered.

  • Send an email to info@sailprofiledata.com with: name, email, country, and boat class.
  • We'll add you to the registration list and send a confirmation email.
  • Once confirmed, sign in and start analyzing your sail shape.
Best Practice

Capture: Photos & Videos

Camera Placement Matters

  • • Boom-mounted (recommended): mount parallel to the boom so the frame bottom is horizontal to it.
  • • Phone: align as parallel to the boom as possible; keep distance & height consistent between sessions.
  • • Consistency: same position & angle every time → highest reliability for comparisons.
Why? Twist is measured relative to the boom. If your camera rolls or shifts, the twist baseline shifts too.

Camber Stripes (Visibility Tip)

Use contrasting camber line colors so they pop in any light:

  • • White sails: blue, orange, green, or black stripes.
  • • Black/dark sails: white, orange, or green stripes.
  • • Divide the sail into 4 equal bands; place 3 horizontal camber lines (head→luff) at those divisions.
Keep horizon level; avoid Dutch-angle shots.
Avoid boom-end occlusions and flapping sheets over stripes.
Lock focal length; don't zoom between comparative shots.
Capture extra frames, more data beats less.
In App

Upload & Organize

  1. 1 Upload your photos/videos.
  2. 2 Fill context: filename, observations.
  3. 3 Tag weather/rig notes (e.g., TWS, vang, cunningham) to speed up filtering later.
Pro tip: Create a naming convention (e.g., Cascais_470_Main01_2025-06-16) for effortless comparisons.
Measurement

Mark Camber Lines (5 Points Each)

  1. 1 Zoom in/out to place points precisely on the stripe.
  2. 2

    Mark 5 points per camber line.

    • → Order matters: always start at the mast and place the last point on the leech.
    • → Adjust any point after all 5 are placed.
  3. 3 Repeat for each camber line (typically lower, middle, upper).
You're measuring: Camber (depth), Draft (position of max depth), and Twist (chord angle relative to the boom).
Workflow

Save to Session & Work Faster with Video

  • After marking all lines, click Save to session and move to the next photo or video frame.
  • Video acceleration: your points are retained for the next frame, just tweak where the sail moved and save again.
  • Rinse and repeat across the session for a complete shape timeline.
Review & Share

Comments & PDF Export

Add comments to any photo to capture trim calls, settings, or notes. When you're done, export all saved photos as a PDF report for quick debriefs and sharing.

Tip: Keep one thread per sail/condition; it makes pattern-spotting much easier when you review.
Reliability

Make Your Data Bulletproof

Golden Rules

  • ✓ Same camera position & angle across sessions.
  • ✓ Keep the frame bottom parallel to the boom.
  • ✓ Always start marking at the mast, finish at the leech.
  • ✓ Zoom in for high-precision point placement.

Troubleshooting

  • • Uneven twist? Re-check camera roll vs. boom.
  • • Noisy camber? Ensure stripes are high-contrast and unobstructed.
  • • Comparisons off? Confirm identical capture geometry and tags.
Reference

Sail Shape Glossary

Twist

Chord angle change along the height. More twist depowers the sail. Controlled by vang & sheets.

Camber

Curvature/depth of the sail. More camber adds power (and potential drag). Influenced by mast bend & sheeting.

Draft

Fore-aft position of maximum camber. Cunningham tension moves draft forward.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I mix photos and videos in one session?
Yes. The workflow is identical: mark, adjust, save. Videos are faster because points persist to the next frame.
Do I have to use a boom-mounted camera?
No, but it's recommended. If using a phone or other mount, keep it as parallel to the boom as possible and repeat the same geometry every time.
How do I get the cleanest twist numbers?
Ensure the shot's bottom edge is horizontal to the boom and the camera has no roll. Re-shoot if the horizon or boom isn't level.
We're Here to Help

Support & Contact

Email info@sailprofiledata.com for registration or technical support.

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