GPS Trackers
Dedicated GPS hardware trackers for both racing boats and course buoys: automatic position reporting, built-in screen displaying sail numbers and device status, and offline buffering in weak-signal areas.
1. Boat & Buoy Tracking
Hardware trackers can be mounted on competing boats as well as course buoys and committee vessels:
- 01Competing boats: mounted on each racing boat to report real-time position, Speed Over Ground (SOG), and Course Over Ground (COG) automatically without crew operation.
- 02Course buoys: strapped onto windward marks (Mark 1), gate marks, or pin-end buoys so mark positions update on the map automatically.
- 03Starting & Finishing boats: placed on the Race Committee signal vessel and finish boat to track the exact start and finish line endpoints.
2. Built-In Screen & Status Check (No Extra Lookup Needed)
Because each hardware tracker has a built-in status screen, crews and dockside staff can see the boat assignment and working status directly on the device without needing a separate lookup tool:
- 011. Sail Number & Mark Name on Screen: once devices are assigned in the backend, the tracker's screen displays the bound boat's sail number / boat name (e.g. "HKG 1208") or buoy name (e.g. "MARK 1"). Staff and crews simply read the screen to pick up the right unit.
- 022. On-Screen Signal & Battery Status: the top bar of the screen shows battery level, cellular signal, and GPS satellite lock status. A quick glance at the screen before launching confirms the tracker is working properly.
- 033. Central Dashboard & Optional /check Lookup: during pre-race pickup, operations staff can view the backend monitoring screen to see whether all boats' devices are online at once. If you ever need to check a single device remotely without logging into the backend, you can also open `/check` and enter the 6-character device label or boat Entry Code to view its latest communication time, battery, and GPS position.
Import fleet list or marks, linking sail numbers and buoys to trackers.
Screen shows sail number, battery and GPS lock under bright sunlight.
Staff hand out trackers by reading the screen. No serial sheets or tape.
Mount to stern rail or buoy top; collect by screen ID into charging case.
3. Mounting, Offline Buffering & Overnight Charging
- 01Stern rail or buoy top mounting: tie the tracker firmly to the stern pushpit rail or buoy top with zip-ties, keeping the screen facing up with an unobstructed sky view. Do not place it inside the cabin.
- 02Automatic offline buffer: if boats sail into an offshore area with weak cellular signal, track points are saved in onboard memory and uploaded automatically when returning to shore.
- 03Ashore collection & charging: collect all trackers when boats come ashore after racing, wipe off salt water, and plug them into the charging case overnight.
4. Hardware Trackers vs. Mobile App
SurgeRace supports both hardware trackers and the SurgeTrac mobile app, and both can be used together in the same regatta:
Dual-Tracking Architecture: GPS Trackers vs Mobile App
Choose based on event scale, or mix both (e.g. hardware trackers on buoys & key boats, mobile app for club fleets).
- ✓Boats & Buoys：Tracks racing boats, committee vessels and drifting course buoys live
- ✓Screen ID：Built-in screen shows sail number, battery & GPS lock; zero-error handout
- ✓Zero Touch：Turnkey operation, IP67 waterproof, multi-day battery, zero crew distraction
- ✓Offline Buffer：Onboard flash buffers 1Hz points in dead zones and uploads on return
- ✓Zero Capex：No hardware rental or purchase; sailors use their own phones
- ✓Instant Pair：Scan 6-digit Entry Code or QR code to bind immediately
- ✓Dual Hot-Standby：Two phones per boat; 15-second automatic failover
- ✓Offline Buffer：Stores points locally in cellular dead zones; auto-uploads on return