HalSail alternative: a free web app for clubs
Sailboat Racing is a free web app for scoring races, with finish capture on a phone and a public results page that updates as you go. If you are weighing up HalSail, the main difference is the price: Sailboat Racing is free to use.
Where HalSail wins
Plenty of clubs use HalSail. It has hosted results pages and lets you take finishes on a phone.
Where Sailboat Racing differs
- Free to use: no annual subscription.
- Works on any device: any phone, tablet, or laptop with a web browser, installable as an app.
- Mobile-first timing: laps and finishes captured from a phone.
- Fast, embeddable public results: schema-rich club pages.
- RYA PY Online: direct submission (same as HalSail), plus one-click XML export.
| Feature | Sailboat Racing | Sailwave | HalSail |
|---|---|---|---|
| Platform | Any device with a web browser: phone, tablet, or laptop, installable as a PWA | Windows desktop app | Cloud web app |
| Works offline on the water | No, needs a connection to capture and publish results | Yes, it runs locally on the laptop | No, needs a connection |
| Mobile race-day timing | Built for mobile, with lap and pursuit finish capture from a phone | Windows desktop app; not built for phone timing | Phone finish capture |
| Cost | Free to use | Free | Paid: around £100/year, with a 45-day free trial |
| Public hosted results website | Yes: fast, schema-rich, embeddable club pages | No, you publish exported files to your own site | Yes, hosted results pages |
| RYA PY Online | Direct submission, plus one-click XML export | Direct submission from within the software | Direct submission from within the software |
| Maturity and plugin ecosystem | Newer, focused feature set | Been around for years, with a plugin ecosystem | Established club adoption |
| Handicap systems | 8 systems: PY, IRC, ASY, CYCA, ECHO, NHC, SCHRS, YTC | Extensive handicap support | PY, IRC and other common systems |
Last reviewed: 2026-06-16. Competitor details are sourced and re-checked periodically.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a free alternative to HalSail?
Yes. Sailboat Racing is free to use, where HalSail is a paid annual subscription (around £100/year).
Can I score races from my phone?
Yes. Sailboat Racing is built for mobile, with lap and pursuit finish capture from a phone or tablet, and results publish to your club's public website the moment you record them.
Can I submit to RYA PY Online?
Yes. Both submit directly to RYA PY Online. Sailboat Racing additionally exports the return as XML in one click.
Try it free. Set up your club and score your next race from your phone.
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