Regatta Timer Watch vs SailingWatch
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Regatta Timer Watch
Sailboat racers can achieve perfect starts with this ISAF-compliant countdown timer. It offers customizable countdown sequences, audible alerts, and a sync function to align with race committee signals. The app runs natively on Apple Watch and can also be used on iPhone.
- ISAF compliant countdown timer
- Customizable countdown sequences (1-5 minutes)
- Audible alerts and haptic feedback
- Sync function for race committee alignment
- Natively runs on Apple Watch
- iPhone compatibility
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Make the perfect start when sailboat racing, using this ISAF compliant countdown timer with sync function. The default countdown timer is the 5 minutes start sequence (ISAF 5.4.1.0), but you can change the sequence easily just by changing the countdown time to 4, 3, 2 or 1 minute. During the countdown to the start signal, alert beeps are played on the Apple Watch each minute & ‘taps on your wrist’ inform you how much time is left until the start signal (be sure to keep your screen on!) Did you miss the initial warning signal by a couple of seconds ? No problem: just use the sync function at the next warning signal and the countdown timer will synchronise with the racing committee timer. The sync function is always 'sync down' - even if you were a full minute 'late', you can sync at the next signal with a press on the sync button. Are you not sure how many minutes you are from the start signal ? Just check if the flags on the racing committee boat are corresponding with the flags on your screen. It is not necessary that your Apple Watch is connected to your iPhone: the app runs natively on Apple Watch. You can even choose to install the app only on your Apple Watch. Although Regatta Timer Watch is optimised for Apple Watch, you can also use it with only an iPhone: Apple Watch is optional. Happy Sailing ! -------- Pro-Tips: 1. Allow the HealthKit permissions to keep running in the background - even with wrist down you will have countdown sounds & haptics 2. Set the 'Return to clock' setting to 'After 1 hour': Since you want the timer to remain visible during the countdown, it is recommended to disable the 'Return to clock' feature on your Apple Watch: Settings > General > Return to clock > After 1 hour (Regatta Timer will remain active for 1 hour). If you don't change this setting and your display returns to the clock, just double press the Digital Crown to go back to the Regatta Timer countdown timer.
SailingWatch
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SailingWatch is the race companion for sailors — a precise start sequence, a real start line, live tactics, and your whole session on a map. Built for dinghies, keelboats and yachts, on iPhone and Apple Watch. THE START, NAILED EVERY TIME • A big, readable countdown with a sweep ring that drains as the gun approaches. • Sync to the committee boat in one tap, or fine-tune with −1 / +1 minute. • The final minute turns red so you always know how long you have. • Start, pause and resume right from the cockpit. A REAL START LINE • Ping the pin and the committee-boat ends to set the line. • See the line bias and your live distance to the line. • Time your approach instead of guessing. LIVE TACTICS • Capture your port and starboard tack angles. • A compass and layline call tell you if you're lifted, headed, or on the groove. • Make the smart call on when to tack. WIND AT A GLANCE • A 6-hour wind forecast strip for your exact location — speed, direction and gusts. • Know what's coming before you leave the dock. EVERY SESSION, ON A MAP • Automatic GPS recording while you sail — speed, heading and full track. • Review past sessions grouped by month. • Replay any track on the map with distance, duration and top speed. SHARE YOUR SAIL • Export a standard GPX file. • Create a video animation of your track to share. • Send your sessions straight to Strava. ON YOUR WRIST • The Apple Watch app puts the timer, start line and live data on your wrist — sail with your phone in your pocket. MADE YOURS • Save your boat profile — class, sail number, polar and hull length. • Choose your units for distance, speed and temperature. • A clean, high-contrast black-and-blue design that stays readable in bright sun. Whether you're lining up for the gun on a club Wednesday or training for the season, SailingWatch keeps the start, the line and the tactics one glance away. https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: SailingWatch at Free against Regatta Timer Watch's $2.99. SailingWatch also leads on update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 4 months). Regatta Timer Watch's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 2) and iOS requirement (15.6 vs 17.6). On ads and device support there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS
SailingWatch is free to download; Regatta Timer Watch costs $2.99 up front. SailingWatch sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month. Regatta Timer Watch asks for nothing beyond the download.
Regatta Timer Watch ships an update every 4 months, SailingWatch every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 11, 2026 and November 3, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Regatta Timer Watch | SailingWatch |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $2.99 | Free — better |
| Positive reviews | 20.7% of reviews | — |
| Update frequency | Every 4 months | Every 2 weeks — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Paid | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod, Apple Watch | iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch |
| Requires iOS | 15.6 — better | 17.6 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 1 MB | 12 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Digitmedia | Francesco Vezzani |
In-app purchases
Regatta Timer Watch
No in-app purchases
SailingWatch
- Monthly3 Days trial$9.991 Month
- Annual7 Days trial$69.991 Year
Questions
Is Regatta Timer Watch free?
Is SailingWatch free?
Do Regatta Timer Watch or SailingWatch have ads?
Which is updated more often, Regatta Timer Watch or SailingWatch?
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