How the LakePulse sailing score works

The inputs

The score starts with wind speed relative to a comfort band. In the default Cruising profile, 6–16 knots scores a perfect 10: enough to sail everywhere, not enough to frighten. Below 3 knots is drifting (score 1). Above 16 the score decays — gently to 22 knots, then faster toward 30, which is small-craft-advisory territory for most lake boats.

From that wind base we subtract penalties. A gust factor above 1.5 (gusts more than 50% stronger than sustained wind) subtracts up to 2.5 points, with extra penalty for gusts over 25 knots. Rain probability of 70% or active precipitation subtracts 4 — on a lake, that is thunderstorm risk, not drizzle. Air below 55°F subtracts for cold-water capsize risk, more below 40°F.

Profiles: one score, three sailors

A kayaker's perfect day is a skiff sailor's boring one, so the score comes in three tunings. Beginner · Kayak centers on 3–10 knots and penalizes gusts and cold aggressively. Cruising dinghy is the classic 6–16 window. Performance · Wing shifts the band to 8–22 knots and forgives gusts that would send a beginner home. Pick your profile on any lake dashboard — it applies site-wide and remembers your choice.

What the score is not

It is not a safety verdict. A 9 can coexist with cold water that demands a drysuit, and a 3 can still be a lovely drift on a warm evening. The score measures sailing quality, not risk — for risk, read the cold penalties in the breakdown, check the radar, and when in doubt, stay ashore. It is also model-driven: forecasts are good, not gospel, and mountain lakes routinely embarrass them.