We are aware that as the only reseller of Sailproof in the Netherlands, we have to guard against the 'We from WC-Eend recommend WC-Eend' thought. We take this as our starting point.

Update! We now also have the new SP10X tested in practice. Read the update at the bottom.

Why are we enamoured with this tablet?

The possibilities with our Quark-Elec WiFi multiplexers are legion. There are plenty of apps available, both for navigation and dashboard functions, that cost a fraction of the annual purchase of a new map for a regular plotter. This offers freedom of choice and budget, without being tied to a particular manufacturer's ecosystem.

Disadvantages of an iPad or Samsung tablet as a plotter

We sailed for years with an iPad and a Samsung tablet with super OLED. However, in direct sunlight these did not perform properly, and battery life always required long USB cables running through the cockpit or extra USB charging points. In addition, we regularly experienced that heat became an issue, causing the tablet to spontaneously switch itself off.

For these reasons, we ended up with Sailproof, a tablet that does not seem to suffer from these problems. The pleasant contact with Jean Michel, CEO of Sailproof, and his shared enthusiasm for sailing and boating are contagious and fit Smartmarine's mission. But critical as we are, we still found the purchase price a barrier. Meanwhile, I say "found".

Over the past two weeks, we tested and experienced the Sailproof SP08X extensively. There was plenty of comparison material and benchmarks.

Our experience with the Sailproof

The Sailproof was ready to use straight from the packaging with a full battery. Navionics was easily downloaded from the Play Store. Via WiFi, we connected to the Quark-Elec A34b and immediately set a static IP address to avoid connection problems, a typical Navionics 'thingy' where the connection sometimes drops out when using a dynamic IP address.

The Sailproof connected immediately and immediately showed the depth gauge display, which it receives from the NMEA2000 network. GPS data also comes from the network, making the internal (otherwise very good) GPS antenna unnecessary.

It was immediately noticeable that the Sailproof makes a robust and high-quality impression; it is a beautiful tablet to look at. The screen is very nice and sharp, but more importantly, it is easy to read even in full sunlight. This certainly compares to the Axiom 7.

The Sailproof while sailing

The Sailproof fits perfectly into the Railblaza holder and, thanks to its rubber casing, is instantly secure. Even with 20 knots of wind and a decent seaway off Harlingen, it stayed in the bracket excellently.

After a trip of over 7 hours, during which the screen was on 100% brightness for all that time and not switched off, the remaining battery capacity was still 38%. This is not only extremely good, but also very convenient as it eliminates the need for charging cables. Compared to the iPad, the battery performance is fantastic; it needs to be charged after less than 3 hours. Despite the hot weather and full sun, we had no problems with overheating during the test weeks.

Zooming in and out was smooth and flawless thanks to the fast processor and ample memory, and the screen is a joy to look at.

We are now fully convinced: the Sailproof is a fantastic tablet and its mobile nature is incredibly convenient. It has more than earned its permanent place on board.

The Sailproof SP10X in practice

Since August 2024, we have been sailing with the new Sailproof SP10X as a successor to our trusted SP8X. The latter was excellent, but for demonstrations and as a show model at HISWA and Boot Düsseldorf, the SP10X's larger screen proved to be a big plus.

Upon unpacking, the new, sleekly designed branded box immediately caught the eye - a professional look that perfectly matches the high-quality nature of the Sailproof tablets. The brand name on the front also contributes to that look.

The larger screen really adds value

After six months of intensive use, we can say: this Sailproof also more than lives up to its name. It is admittedly heavier than the 8X, but that makes sense given its larger size. The weight took some getting used to, but it generous screen more than makes up for that. For navigation, this is a real bonus. What is noticeable is that battery life is slightly shorter than on the 8X. With the screen constantly at 100% brightness and continuously connected to our Quark-Elec A034B (for boot data), it lasts about seven hours without recharging. Fortunately, charging is top-notch with this model: even waterproof charging is possible. Ideal for sailors who regularly deal with tube water.

Freedom in application choice

What still remains the big advantage for us is the freedom of app choice. On the Markermeer and IJsselmeer, we usually use Navionics, but during the Standing Mast Route the Waterkaarten app indispensable thanks to all bridge, lock and port information. Really perfect. Our Axiom has now been downgraded to a purely passive display - which really says it all about the ease of use and flexibility of the Sailproof when combined with the right apps.