Garmin quatix® 8 – 47 mm, AMOLED
The Garmin quatix® 8 – 47 mm, AMOLED is more than a smartwatch – it’s a race tool for serious sailors. With GPS-assisted start functions, full Garmin marine integration, and a stunning AMOLED display, it’s built to give yacht racers an edge on and off the water.
When it comes to sailing watches, we’ve come a long way from the chunky, single-function countdown timers of old. Today’s racing sailor wants a watch that does it all – from race start precision and navigation to onboard system integration and fitness tracking – and Garmin has been steadily leading the charge in that space.
Their latest release, the Garmin quatix® 8 – 47 mm, AMOLED, is an impressive evolution of their marine smartwatch line, and after spending time exploring its features, it’s clear this is a tool purpose-built for serious sailors.
Design and Build: Robust Yet Sophisticated
First impressions count, and the quatix® 8 certainly makes one. At 47 mm, it has enough presence to feel substantial on the wrist but is thoughtfully designed so it doesn’t feel cumbersome – even when you’re trimming a mainsheet or scrambling across a foredeck. The AMOLED display is stunning: vibrant, sharp, and readable in all lighting conditions, whether you’re in the blazing midday sun miles offshore or under a red head torch light on overnight race.
Garmin has also upped its game in materials: the sapphire lens is highly scratch-resistant (a big plus when watches inevitably get bashed against winches or lifelines), and the stainless steel or titanium bezel options give the watch a premium, rugged feel. The water resistance is rated at 10 ATM – plenty for the wet-and-wild world of yacht racing.
Marine-Specific Features: Designed for the Helm
This is where the quatix® 8 really earns its stripes. Like its predecessors, it integrates seamlessly with Garmin chartplotters and other onboard systems, allowing you to control your MFD, view data, and even use the watch as an autopilot remote – a godsend when you’re short-handed or need to make quick adjustments on the go.
The race timer with GPS-assisted start line function is a must-have for any competitive sailor. It helps you nail your time-on-distance approach to the line, taking a lot of the guesswork out of race starts. Add to that tide data, waypoint marking, and full BlueChart g3 charts compatibility, and you’ve essentially got a backup nav station on your wrist. Offshore racers will also appreciate the ability to overlay AIS alerts, so you’re never caught out by a ship bearing down on you in the dark.
Beyond the Boat: Training, Fitness, and Everyday Use
Garmin clearly recognises that modern sailors aren’t just using their watches on race day. The quatix® 8 comes packed with fitness and health tracking features that rival dedicated sports watches. There’s heart rate and VO2 max tracking, sleep monitoring, and tailored workout modes for running, cycling, swimming, and even rowing. For those prepping for a big regatta campaign, being able to monitor your training metrics on and off the water is a huge advantage.
Battery life is impressive: up to 16 days in smartwatch mode and up to 42 hours in GPS mode, meaning you can get through a full offshore passage without hunting for a charging cable.
Verdict: A No-Brainer for Serious Racers
The Garmin quatix® 8 – 47 mm, AMOLED isn’t just a smartwatch – it’s a race tool, a training companion, and a backup navigation device all rolled into one. For yacht racers, the seamless integration with onboard systems, race-specific functions, and rugged design make it one of the most compelling pieces of kit on the market right now.
If you’re serious about your racing and want a watch that keeps pace with the demands of high-performance sailing – both inshore and offshore – the quatix® 8 is hard to beat.
Ready to take your racing to the next level?
👉 Order the Garmin quatix® 8 – 47 mm, AMOLED on Amazon here
