How we get weather forecasts offshore (Iridium Go/PredictWind walk through) // Ryan's tech corner #9

How weather forecasts are made and the different forecast models: ryanandsophie.com/how-we-are-...
How to get satellite connection with Iridium Go and PredictWind: ryanandsophie.com/how-to-get-...
How to setup Iridium Go via PredictWind: ryanandsophie.com/how-to-set-...
In this video, we walk you through how we receive updated weather forecasts every day, even in the middle of the Atlantic.
Among the multitude of solutions to receive weather forecasts offshore, Ryan and I chose the Iridium Go from PredictWind. Predict Wind has been our weather forecast provider ever since we started sailing, and when the time came to purchase our Iridium, the easiest solution was to get it through them.
After going through the basics of what an Iridium Go is and why we decided to go that route, we download a weather forecast through the PredictWind offshore app.

[@Sciolist]

This is easily the most detailed video I've seen by any sailing vlogs on how to set up iridium go.

[@RyanSophieSailing]

Thanks!

[@timothyprice9064]

Here I was having thinking of satellite TV on boats now. Is it possible to get an RV-type system to work on a boat?

[@DARTHDANSAN]

Very detailed thanks!!! I can’t wait for the next episode!!

[@johnperry7534]

Thanks always good work Ryan and Sophie you’re doing a great job.

[@jasonargonaut9112]

Like always a very good tech video! Looks like Ryan was born for this!

[@jamiesaulter2263]

We love watching your videos. Tons of usable detail that most people do not include.

[@rainfinger]

Pure genius, providing so much useful information for cruisers.

[@rickh5690]

Nice easy explaintion on the Iridium Go, Good job Ryan .

[@alofns]

Excellent video and great explanation of how to setup off shore communications. Thanks.

[@stevenlancaster7241]

Friends for 30 year and I am more proud of you every day! Great vid Ryan!

[@MarcasTriesEtsy]

Great video - the whole IridiumGo/PredictWind set-up is like some kind of dark art. Thanks for simplifying it. Now to find a video that shows you how to get that boat tracking PredictWind page and how to send text to it.

[@henrirotthier5710]

You are both awesome. Another excellent video . We follow you since the beginning and you are 2 delightful people. Happy sailing from the 'Ocean Dancer' crew 💃🕺

[@marcwouters6059]

Ryan is always at his best with technical videos . Simple and understandeble for everyone how iridium go works . Thanks Ryan i learned something again !!! Sophie is probably on the beach with a Mochito .................hhmmmmm .

[@willsteverakkar950]

Nice video. clearly explained. I am doing the same thing this month. Just getting set up

[@davidc6510]

Nicely done Ryan. Now I know how you YT content developers actually get the magic data to view on Predict Wind. Love the little comic relief you added to the video as well. Thanks!

[@dulls8475]

Excellent video and you have put the costs in as well which so many people leave out and yet it is one of the most important aspects of any information video like this.

[@gungho6798]

Totally awesome . Thanks 👍

[@patrickdevos187]

même pour un francophone (Belgique) la façon dont Ryan explique est tout à fait comprehensible . Bravo

[@kaskl5403]

Very informative information, sounds like these would be good for overloading also. Good video.

[@frodobaggins3974]

Thank you! This answers a lot of questions!

[@gunghoadventures871]

Great video and lots of info. Thanks for sharing.

[@kjelpeterson5236]

Well explained Ryan, you have a gift for conveying lessons both succinctly and enjoyably

[@RyanSophieSailing]

Thanks Kjel.

[@brettkramer]

Thank you for producing the most informative tutorial video out there on using PredictWind and the Iridium Go !!

[@RyanSophieSailing]

Thanks Brett! Glad you got something out of them. Ryan

[@sailingadventureswithgrandad]

Great review, thanks 🙏

[@stephenbradshaw5311]

Thanks Guys, I have watched other vids but you are the only one I have found went into the detail I needed. Subbed.

[@RyanSophieSailing]

Thanks Stephen

[@christiepooh]

Great video! Thank you for the techie stuff!

[@andydunn5673]

Great explanation of the system Thanks

[@emmascott3339]

Hi Ryan and Sophie, we've been lurking around your socials and videos and never commented before but I have kept coming back to this video to remind me how to do the forecasting via our Iridium GO! It is by far the most clear and idiot proof step by step I have found - better than PredictWind's own videos and seminars which I found very confusing because of the different formats of apps on different devices. So thank you so much for this but also your incredibly honest and open posts and videos about liveaboard life and the reality of its struggles. Having been permanent liveaboards for eight years, a lot of what you have talked about has really resonated and is just so much more interesting to us than brand new cat/trimarans and bikinis. So thank you again and happy sailing.

[@richardadams3164]

Another good video! Don't need the information now since its sunny today and no wind however I will save the info for a cloudy day. Thanks for the tech information it is really useful but not as much fun as the seasick eye glasses. Thanks again.

[@richardadams3164]

Forgot to say congratulations on your Atlantic crossing. Followed your progress. Again, congratulations!

[@me9061]

Super helpful!! New subscriber.

[@johnwishart7950]

just as interesting as the others happy new year

[@RusstafaB]

Interesting video thanks Did not know anything about this so thanks for the info

[@MrCrabbing]

Thanks for the tech help

[@Dynaco77]

Great video!

[@fincajabali6049]

Very helpful, thank you

[@jrremerable]

Gotta say, Ryan, the "how to" n information video's you put out are great. Hard to find on KZbin, n glad your doing em. Keep em up. 👍

[@RyanSophieSailing]

Thanks Justin! Means a lot. Ryan

[@bhaydenca]

@@RyanSophieSailing please dont ever stop Ryan. I think the "how to" videos don't get as many clicks and why some channels stop doing them.... Cough cough la vagabond. Measly 50k views on their old how to's. I've been following you since I found your water maker video almost a year ago 👍. Keep it up. PS:. My sister is Spohie's identical twin 🤗

[@jamesvisick6009]

Thanks! This was great

[@seychellesnews]

Loved it

[@richardcomeau57]

Love it!

[@SailingBrickHouse-RVLife]

Great, clear presentation Ryan! We love our Iridium GO, and we love Predictwind! Last month an even better option came out...getting Predictwind, via the Iridium GO, via our Raymarine chartplotter. It just can’t get better than that!!! -Rebecca on SV Brick House

[@RyanSophieSailing]

Oh. I had not heard that. Really cool! Now i need to be able to try it

[@SailingBrickHouse-RVLife]

Ryan & Sophie Sailing yes me too...don’t have the iridium GO activated since we have been hauled out for 8 months...but will be turning it all on soon to see it for myself. -Rebecca on SV Brick House

[@bakinavanglica1282]

great explanation

[@wissamadlani9269]

thank you

[@chipcurry]

Thank you! I feel like I’m right along with you guys. But man that stuff is complicated

[@aleksandrkamenev5532]

So prefect

[@mrsethatwood]

a surface book! i love it. i carry one everyday for job. do you detach it and use it in the cockpit?

[@qatarsailor7727]

I use it its very handy 👌

[@jw6246]

nice job...

[@newinsharpsville]

Hi ryan, I’m a new subscriber and have been binge watching you guys. I am curious about your thoughts on Star link satellite Internet?

[@gunghoadventures871]

Awesome

[@cryzzer]

Hello Ryan, Thank you for producing amazing content in your channel. I wanted to ask you about the Iridium Go full package. Do we need to have a plan for the sim card and a plan for the yb3i? or will the sim card be enough?

[@anilmadgavkar6769]

please do a video on how to sail the course shown by departure routing. How do you fix the heading and change directions as shown on the departure routing ?

[@sunnyfine1968]

Hi . thanks for all information. you said something about information in your blog. didn't find it. it will be nice to if you will guide me

[@roderikvanl]

good stuff - amazing Christopher C. managed without irGo ;-)

[@dianseib818]

Cool vid, the system reminds me of the beginning of the internet with those 56 k modems... I’m sure they work on improvements 😀👍

[@RyanSophieSailing]

Ohhhh 59k would be a dream to this. Ryan

[@dianseib818]

Ok 😀

[@dog1331]

Thats a nice herpe!

[@robertorzech2466]

You did a great job explaining the details on downloading predict wind info with Iridium go. Later this year Elong Musk's Global 5G internet will be able to download that file in less than 1 second anywhere on the planet. I can't wait !

[@MrFastFarmer]

"Musk's Global 5G internet will be able to download that file in less than 1 second anywhere on the planet" I'm still laughing!

[@MrSmithToday]

With great circle squid sailing you can use their pc app to make a to b and you don't need to down load large mb's gribs. Squid sailing just sends you the weather route file. Import to your gps or plotter software.

[@danknox9986]

Big fan of PredictWind. Did you know it was designed by a Professor at Berkeley?

[@kord83]

Great video! You should check out the service that Delos just got :) live streaming from the middle of the ocean.

[@RyanSophieSailing]

Yeah... just saw this but we done have room for the masssive death star they had to mount to their arch. Ryan

[@claypass8424]

Can you tell me if you have been able to change the units on the PredictWind offshore app from m, mm/hr, and deg C to feet, in/hr, and deg F for waves, rain, and temp respectively. It seems impossible to me and I can't get a straight answer from their help desk.

[@noahtibbetts]

🤙🏼 where did you get the flight suits?

[@DrMowinckel95]

Great video! I might buy one for my own trips at the sea! but plz turn off autofocus, set focus manually then just start record. As long as you dont move too much back and forth the focus will be fine. Just put the f/ stop 2-3 steps up :)

[@RyanSophieSailing]

Thanks for the feedback! We will think about the auto focus! Ryan

[@d3w4yn3]

Iridium, the satellite network, was named Iridium as a bit of a play on the periodic table of elements. The atomic number of Iridium is 77. The developers of the satellite network originally envisioned launching 77 satellites. In reality, for reasons I don't understand (maybe funding? maybe they discovered that number was unnecessary?), they stopped at 66. So 66 is not the atomic number of iridium. So maybe they should change the name to dysprosium?

[@RyanSophieSailing]

This is fun information. Ryan

[@scronje]

Great video! Thanks. Could you please make a statement regarding bias when you make videos like these, in other words, have you received compensation (money, equipment, etc) for making this video? It helps when one evaluates it. Keep up the great content!

[@RyanSophieSailing]

Hi Steve. Your point is very valid and something we should have added to the video. We will make a short statement in the description. We didn’t think about it because this video isn’t sponsored at all! we just thought it was an interesting topic and we love the Go. The Iridium go and the subscription we paid for in full by ourselves. We paid for the predict wind subscription until last year when PW offered us a year of the pro version so we could try it out. Hope this clarifies! Ryan

[@scronje]

Ryan & Sophie Sailing Thanks for responding. Keep ‘em coming! 👏

[@Adofri-Sailing]

Ryan - I am really enjoying the informative vlogs your are producing, thanks much! On a side note..... I have to ask......... Did Sophie punch you in the lip again? You can tell me bro, it will stay between us and 18.9k subscribers. #MENTOO 😁😁

[@RyanSophieSailing]

Haha... it would make for a better story. When i get maga steessed i get sores on my lips... looks like hell but here we are. Ryan

[@OddLifeCrafting]

Hey guys!! One quick question, the 110v fount converts to 12v, if I just cut the wire and hook up to my 12 volts panel will be fine right? But with lithium batteries that I normally have 13.3v will that be a problem for the iridium go? Thanks a lot!!

[@RyanSophieSailing]

Its should all work if I understand correct. Just check the power adapter. Should say 110v in, 12v out. 13.3 is not problem with that.

[@OddLifeCrafting]

@@RyanSophieSailing That's awesome!! Thanks a lot!!

[@CanAm_Sailing]

Ryan, informative video as usual. Do you purchase a 12 month package for your Iridiun Go or just a one or two month package when you plan to travel off shore. Thanks

[@RyanSophieSailing]

Im actually not sure... i think we pay monthly. Ryan

[@CanAm_Sailing]

@@RyanSophieSailing .. Thank You

[@talut21]

Starlink, OneWeb or any other satellite constellation is comming soon and going to disrupt satelite communications (and probably kill iridium) by making it faster and cheaper. Really good news for offshore sailing

[@ekavoian]

Are there faster systems available?

[@eddie1v]

Is there a separate monthly for the predict wind and the iridium go.

[@RyanSophieSailing]

Correct. There is an Iridum go! Fee and a predict wind fee. So its a little expensive but my personal opinion, for off shore its worth it. Ryan

[@edwardjones6403]

Iowa 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@johnmichaels4330]

Can you not use a Garmin?

[@rumusic787]

Great info. Thanks. However how often do you update the forcast? I mean every day or every few days? Which leads me to the most fundamental and widely discussed issue.. How accurate do you find them?

[@RyanSophieSailing]

We update the forecast offshore at least once a day. The forecast are only updated twice a day so beyond that its a little pointless. Regarding forecast accuracy... we generally find it good. There is a blog article on our website which discuss it. The thing is, most forecasting is accurate to about three days out. So a two week trip its somewhat important to keep up to date. Though with tradewind sailing the value of the forecast is a bit diminished. Ryan

[@JIPE98]

I would also say that if you have subscribed the unlimited one, it's not a big deal to download twice a day. We did it every morning and evening. From time to time you could also download the potential thunderstorms creation. In the doldrums after Panama we used it a lot with the shortest grid but for 24 hours only to keep decent file size.

[@jrremerable]

Ryan, what's your opinion of the B&G system with Predict Winds built into the system? Is it worth the extra cost in your opinion?

[@RyanSophieSailing]

Hi justin, I have never tried it but i think it would be cool to have all the information in one spot. That said the nee raymarine plotters also have the predict wind system available. As such i would not buy a plotter just because of the PW system. Ryan

[@mickbanks68]

How about Star Link ?

[@vigorousseb6993]

Starlink by Space X high speed internet is going to kill Iridium’s business once all their satellites are up. Iridium subscription prices are astronomically high.

[@AllanMelsen]

Yeah... Starlink is going to massively improve internet offshore... Iridium will definately be challenged on their business model.

[@popuptoaster]

@@AllanMelsen Maybe, but Elon said something about Starlink requiring floating repeater stations at sea for a while because the first gen satellite wont have inter satellite communication so they can only ground bounce the signal rather than chain the satellites togther to reach shore, not sure when they will be upgrading but the firs ones went up in what 2019? with a projected 5 year life before being replaced with newer models could be a while before you can get coverage everywhere at sea.

[@juliannefrank1913]

It will take Starship to be operational because Falcon 9’s will take at least three more years to get enough second gen Starlinks into the grid….like 12000. Until then, there would need to be ground …i.e ocean “towers” or repeaters to have coverage and that is not in SpaceX’s plan. Instead, their plan is to get beaucoup sats up with each Starship. So fingers crossed!

[@grantscully4357]

👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@mikenewzealand4525]

Are you doing day by day videos across the Atlantic?

[@RyanSophieSailing]

Yep! :)

[@webheadusa9377]

Ryan, thanks for the weather demo. I'd like to know your opinion: would you be a cruiser if you had no electronic gear but only had a sextant, charts, watch, binoculars, and compass? I ask because when I was your age, computers, satellites, and digital services such as predict wind did not exist, or maybe were under development. Therefore, when I see your stories & those of other cruisers, I am not kicking myself for failing to buy a boat, back in the early 70s, to live on and sail. And I find it hard to believe that the large volume of current cruisers would plan sails based on being unable to obtain weather and wind while underway during a crossings and passages. Just curious if you would do what you and Sophie are doing without the benefit of computers, chart plotters, digital communication gear, radar, for example. Thanks for your time. :¬) Webhead USA

[@RyanSophieSailing]

Hello. I would do it from a navigation prospective... in fact i think it would be fun. But from a weather prospective, close to shore, no. Primarily because weather forecasting does exist and i think its bad seamanship to leave home without good forecast. Not saying you need and iridium but a good forecast is must. Just my two cents... of course others will feel different and that is okay. Ryan

[@webheadusa9377]

@@RyanSophieSailing Thanks for your reply, Ryan. Yeah, navigation would be a fun challenge for you. But for cruisers living on a boat, all too many times I have heard plans for movement depends upon the weather & the wind. Therefore, I congratulate you and Sophie for taking advantage of the technology. enjoy the Caribbean islands. :¬) Webhead USA

[@RiggingDoctor]

It's how we do it! In Episode 20 (S4E20) we show exactly how we get our weather information offshore.

[@bahaiwebsites]

Are you from Iowa?

[@RyanSophieSailing]

Sure am

[@shanevillis4079]

Did you look at the Garmin InReach??? Ryan

[@RyanSophieSailing]

I have used the inReach when it was owned by delorm. Used it mostly for outback sking and climbing as well as in greenland (sophie and i developed our relation over SMS while i was sitting in my tent in greenland at night). InReach is great and the new Geamin units have added some fun functionality. In fact i believe it runs off the same iridium network. Problem is, you cant make calls with it. Btw.. we still carry the unit on board as a spare.

[@shanevillis4079]

@@RyanSophieSailing Thanks mate

[@MrSmithToday]

Looks like you had the option from predictwind to only download only the weather route file. If your settings done right that's all you need and for the weather chart you can download for free over sdr sat image.

[@markd.9422]

Great video! 😀 But it's sad how many satellites there are in space which are garbage which already represent rubbish in normal operation.. It's sad that you don't have better internet speed on extreme locations in 2023.. I mean, do we live in 2005 or so?..

[@MarshallSmith27]

how come it takes so long to download 200kB of data? A phone call is more straining with data and requires less latency. Or am I missing something?

[@RyanSophieSailing]

Phone call is $$. I like to have the data on the computer to reference. Same with email, etc. But you are correct with your phone points.

[@mdennen]

Iowa? I’m a Hawkeye

[@RyanSophieSailing]

Yep! Des Moines. Go Hawks!

[@HopeOfJoe]

Good explanation. 【ツ】

[@soldozer]

My Iridium Go totally sucks. Constantly logging me out, poor connectivity, low satilite count, etc Etc…

[@Pimptorious69]

Slow but crucial.

[@whileysea]

Realy nice done. But I could never go sailing, with monthly bills like that, that would kill me instantly. I guess this is one of the big differences between the young wealthy Sailors of today compared to guys like me who left with 25 to 30Foot Boats some 20 years ago, with 1 electrical Lightbulb and the only Instrument was a debth Meter. I could never have afforded to go sailing like this. Would never have had the chance to experience what I did. Don't give me wrong, I enjoy yours and many other videos, after all I learn Computers and KZbin as we speak. But that would never be an option for me. I need the weather, I look up. Being in strange area, I go and ask the Fisher. Gales, Storms and all, it was part of my journey. Today one needs to have so many electrical Gadgets and Safety-Devices, that 1 Batterie can't handle it, you need 3 or 4 Big ones plus a Starter. No wonder boats reach normal Length of Today from around 40ft with Bowtrhuster and all. I always wonder, how is the crew handling such boats, when suddenly the electric, power and all seizes up? Is such a boat then not to big to handle with 2 People and no electrical winsches, Bow-Thruster and all?

[@clidiere]

It looks like you were going to download about 3.7 MB... but you're saying 200 kbits? :/

[@bhaydenca]

Half a meg per hour 🤣

[@svvalmika9612]

I have heard that a regular satellite phone is actually faster on data downloads than the go. Comment?

[@RyanSophieSailing]

Never used a sat phone! And we weren’t bothered by the speed at all :)

[@KaptainKastle]

But it's like looking at a doctor's X-ray. How do you even make sense of that?

[@timothyprice9064]

This looks like the internet in 1990. It was all text with a few basic pictures and painfully slow. If you wanted to send a picture, you send it when you were ready for bed and send it overnight.

[@RyanSophieSailing]

Exactly right

[@lotophagi711]

Remember boys and girls - you can just head out there in a well found boat and take what you get.

[@Kiwisap]

Sponsored....

[@polswan2551]

bla bla bla

[@MrFastFarmer]

I don't know what youtube pays, but this is not a cost effective device for the average cruiser. You also didn't mention the upfront cost of the device which here is $AU1200.

[@RyanSophieSailing]

What do you call the « average » cruiser? To my knowledge, most cruisers crossing the Atlantic equip their boats with either SSB radio or any other type of Satellite communication device. Of those alternatives, the Iridium Go is some of the most affordable option. In our opinion, getting weather offshore and having the ability to contact shore support has been absolutely critical in all the offshore sailing we’ve done!

[@MrFastFarmer]

@@RyanSophieSailing You can receive weather fax globally with either a RTL SDR receiver, or an SSB radio receiver. Both options will cost you around $AU300 with no ongoing costs. Garmin inreach is also another option. $AU300 device cost, $AU20 per month subscription, and $AU1.70 per weather report. I'm just saying cheaper solutions exist. Cheers

[@RyanSophieSailing]

Hi fast farmer. SSB inital cost witha modem are expensive and your unable to make satelite calls. Inreach is another option but its monthly cost are also getting expensive... your right though... there are cheaper options but youll lose a fee things as well.