No Ecosystem Lock-in
Works with B&G, Raymarine, Simrad, and any other NMEA2000 standard instrument network. No Garmin chartplotter required.
Free Garmin Connect IQ App
Boat Telemetry
On Your Wrist
SailorData is a Garmin Connect IQ data field that bridges your NMEA2000 marine network — B&G, Raymarine, Simrad — directly to your Garmin smartwatch via a compact Bluetooth BLE bridge.
What you get
SailorData App Features
A dedicated Garmin Connect IQ data field built by a sailor, for sailors.
Tactical Bezel Display
The outer bezel visually indicates True Wind Angle (TWA) with a dark blue arrow, Apparent Wind Angle (AWA) with a light blue arrow, Bearing with an orange dot, and Rudder Angle with a gray bow.
Wind Shift Zones
Green and red arc markers on the bezel instantly highlight the best and worst wind direction zones for optimising tacks and gybes at a glance.
Full Data Suite
Display STW, TWS, AWS, TWA, AWA, BRG, VMG, VMC, Rudder Angle and Depth. Three configurable number fields plus the dynamic visual bezel.
Easy Configuration
Adjust displayed fields, units, wind targets, and BLE bridge settings via the Garmin Connect IQ app or directly on compatible watch models.
OTA Bridge Updates
Update your BLE bridge firmware wirelessly over Wi-Fi. The bridge creates its own hotspot during update mode — no cables required.
In Action & Hardware
See the System in Action
Experience how the compact hardware bridge and smartwatch integration blend seamlessly on board.
Compatible Devices
SailorData on Your Watch
SailorData is compatible with a wide range of modern Garmin watches. Browse some of them below.
Hardware Required
The NMEA2000 to BLE Bridge
The bridge translates your boat's NMEA2000 data and broadcasts it to your watch over Bluetooth. Choose your path.
DIY
Build It Yourself
For the electronics-minded sailor. Purchase an ESP32-S3 CAN-Bus board with NMEA2000 connector and flash the free firmware yourself.
Firmware
Free
- Requires ESP32-S3 CAN-Bus board
- Free firmware binary provided below
- Custom enclosure 3D model provided below
- If you want to support the project, consider buying me a coffee
Plug & Play
Pre-Assembled Unit
Fully assembled, tested, and housed in a fit for purpose enclosure. Plug directly into your NMEA2000 backbone and it works immediately.
Price
€190 + shipping
- Plug-and-play — works straight from the box
- Powered directly from the NMEA2000 network bus
- Standard NMEA2000 connector
Got Questions?
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know to get up and running with SailorData.
SailorData supports a wide range of modern Garmin models including: fēnix 7 series, epix (Gen 2) series, quatix series (including quatix 7, 7 Pro, 7 Sapphire, 7X Solar, 8, 8 Pro), D2 Air X10, D2 Mach 1, D2 Mach 2 Pro, Approach S70 (42mm & 47mm), Approach S50, MARQ Aviator (Gen 2), MARQ Athlete (Gen 2) Carbon Edition, Forerunner 265, 265s, 570 (42 & 47mm), 965, 970, tactix 7 series and tactix 8 AMOLED.
Phase 1 — Install the Data Field: Open the Garmin Connect IQ Store app on your smartphone. Search for "SailorData". Tap Download (you may need to accept permissions). Open the main Garmin Connect app and sync your watch to transfer the data field.
Phase 2 — Enable on your watch: Press the Start/Stop button to open the Activities list. Select the activity you want to customise (e.g. Sailing) but don't start the timer. Press and hold the Up/Menu button and select Settings → Data Screens → Add New. Select the 1-field layout box, scroll to Connect IQ, and choose SailorData. Press Back repeatedly to save.
Method 1 — Via Connect IQ Store app: Open the Connect IQ app → My Device → My Data Fields → SailorData → Settings. Adjust display, wind target, and NMEA2000 BLE bridge settings. Tap Save, then sync your watch in the Garmin Connect app.
Method 2 — On-watch settings menu: Go to the activity profile, press Up/Menu → Settings → Connect IQ Settings → SailorData. Note: Wind target and BLE bridge settings cannot be changed here, but you can check the firmware version of the bridge.
The three configurable number fields can show: STW (Speed Through Water), TWS (True Wind Speed), AWS (Apparent Wind Speed), TWA (True Wind Angle), AWA (Apparent Wind Angle), BRG (Bearing to waypoint), VMG (Velocity Made Good), VMC (Velocity Made Good to Course), Depth, and Rudder Angle.
In addition, the dynamic visual bezel displays TWA (dark blue arrow), AWA (light blue arrow), BRG (orange dot), and Rudder Angle (gray bow) plus green and red tactical wind shift zone markers.
Installation is a simple plug-and-play process:
- Insert a T-connector into your existing NMEA2000 network backbone.
- Connect a drop cable to the open port on the T-connector.
- Plug the other end of the drop cable into the NMEA2000 BLE Bridge.
The bridge is powered directly by the NMEA2000 network. As soon as it is plugged in it powers on and begins broadcasting. Open an activity on your Garmin watch with the SailorData field enabled — it will connect automatically and your live vessel data will appear.
Phase 1 — Download latest firmware: Download the latest firmware binary file for the SailorData Bridge to your phone or computer.
Phase 2 — Trigger update mode: With SailorData running on your watch, open the Connect IQ app on your phone and navigate to the SailorData settings. Under NMEA2000 BLE Bridge Settings, enable "Enable OTA update of the NMEA 2000 to BLE Bridge" and tap Save. The data field will stop updating, confirming it has entered update mode. If the data field continues to update normally, tap the Save button in the mobile app a second time.
Phase 3 — Upload firmware: The bridge will restart and broadcast a temporary Wi-Fi network:
Network name: N2K-BLE-BRG-UPDATE
Password: update
Connect your phone or computer to this network. Open a browser and go to http://192.168.4.1. Select your firmware file and confirm the upload. Do not close the browser or power off the bridge during upload — it restarts automatically when complete.
The bridge uses protocols and connections designed to be compatible with the NMEA2000® standard, however it is not formally certified by the National Marine Electronics Association (NMEA). "NMEA2000" is used solely to describe technical compatibility.
Because this device lacks formal NMEA2000 certification, its use within any marine network is at the user's own risk. I accept no liability for network disruptions, data errors, or damage to other connected electronics. By installing the device you acknowledge this and accept full responsibility.
Order or Get in Touch
Order a pre-assembled bridge unit, ask a technical question, or get help with your DIY build.