The second-generation smarttune from Cyclops Marine—now branded smarttune²—is more than just a wireless load sensor. It’s a direct replacement for your existing turnbuckle body, enabling real-time rig load monitoring with minimal installation effort. Designed for both racing and cruising yachts, smarttune ² now offers game-changing insights into rigging health and performance, all without needing to unstep the mast.
What is smarttune ²?
The smarttune system is a wireless load-sensing turnbuckle body that replaces the barrel of an existing turnbuckle on your standing rigging—most commonly at the lower end of cap shrouds, D1s, or forestays. Because the smarttune ² body threads directly onto your existing rigging ends, installation is remarkably quick: simply slacken the stay, remove the old turnbuckle body, thread in the smarttune ², re-tension, and go sailing. No rewiring, no mast unstepping, no electronics retrofit.
Available in sizes from ¼" to 1", smarttune ² supports an impressive range of applications—from performance dinghies and sportsboats to production cruisers and offshore racers up to 50–60 feet in length.
Why Load Sensing Matters
Understanding rig loads in real time allows sailors to tune with precision, repeat performance settings, and protect against overloading in variable conditions. Whether you’re racing inshore or crossing oceans, smarttune ² provides a live feed of forestay and shroud loads via Bluetooth to onboard displays or mobile devices. This data can then be used to:
• Validate rig setup under sail
• Compare tuning settings across wind ranges
• Quantify the impact of sail changes, reefing, and sea state
• Avoid exceeding safe working loads on aging rigging
By correlating load data with wind speed, heel angle, and sail shape, sailors gain a reliable reference point for rig tuning and trim optimisation.
What’s New in smarttune ²?
The latest generation brings several significant upgrades:
• Smaller, sleeker housing: Reduces weight and windage aloft.
• Improved battery life: Thanks to smarter power management and updated internals.
• More robust wireless connectivity: Ensures reliable data transfer even in demanding conditions.
• Revamped app and firmware: For a more intuitive user experience and deeper integration with existing navigation systems.
But the headline feature is undoubtedly the new fatigue life and cycle load logging capability.
Fatigue Monitoring: A First in Rigging Technology
Traditionally, rigging lifespan is assessed via calendar-based replacement intervals or visual inspection. smarttune² introduces a new, data-driven approach: fatigue life monitoring based on actual load cycles. This feature logs every load event over time—capturing not just peak forces, but how often they occur and for how long.
Using this data, smarttune ² estimates cumulative fatigue—effectively providing the first on-the-water tool to measure the real-life operational lifespan of your standing rigging.
Why this matters:
• Rigging manufacturers can improve design models based on real-world stress profiles.
• Insurers gain an objective, logged view of rig usage that can support or streamline claims.
• Boat owners can make informed decisions about rig replacement, rather than relying on conservative calendar-based guidance.
This makes smarttune ² a powerful predictive maintenance tool—not just a performance aid.
Compatibility and Use Cases
smarttune ² is currently available for thread sizes from ¼" (6.35mm) to 1" (25.4mm):
• ¼" model: Suitable for performance dinghies and small keelboats.
• Mid-range sizes: Ideal for 30–45ft club racers and fast cruisers.
• 1" model: Covers high-load applications on larger monohulls and multihulls up to 60ft.
No additional electronics or power supply is required. Data is transmitted wirelessly to the Cyclops Gateway or can be viewed directly on compatible instruments from B&G, Raymarine, and others.
Final Thoughts about Cyclops Marine’s smarttune ²
Cyclops Marine’s smarttune ² is more than a clever bit of tech—it’s the beginning of a paradigm shift in how sailors and riggers understand, monitor, and maintain their rigs. With real-time load data, fatigue logging, and easy installation, it empowers owners of all types of boats to take control of rig performance and safety like never before.
For those aiming to sail smarter—not just harder—smarttune ² is a standout addition to your rigging toolkit. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us and speak to one of our sailing experts or click below to see our full range:
and then Add to Home Screen.
Cyclops Marine smarttune ²: Precision Load Sensing, Reinvented