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Boat Bling
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Author:  Abraham Jones [ Mon Mar 25, 2013 9:43 pm ]
Post subject:  Boat Bling

I'm considering a SpeedPuck and a tapered main.

I'm using an 8:1 system on the main.

Thanks in advance for any thoughts on the matter.

Author:  MBounds [ Tue Mar 26, 2013 6:39 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Boat Bling

If it means anything to you, neither are class legal.

The SpeedPuck is a good training tool, but other than the "gee-whiz" factor, the output it produces is the same as any decent GPS device. There are aps for iPhones that do the same thing. All you need is a waterproof case.

The cost/benefit of the tapered mainsheet is marginal. It really only makes a significant difference if you (or your crew) are working the main a lot upwind. I can see doing that in a race (but there's that class legal thing again), but it's a lot of work to do just sailing around.

Author:  ronholm [ Tue Mar 26, 2013 12:44 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Boat Bling

I have thought about picking up an old iphone just to run that Sailboat race starter app...

http://appfinder.lisisoft.com/app/sailb ... arter.html

It should be able to run the GPS without phone service...




and I haven't found anything near as nifty for andriod..


Saildriod and some of the others are neat.. (playing with a free beta version of "Sailing Tactician" now) but I like the iphone app because it allows you to log the location of the committee boat and pin... and then gives distance and time to the line... I doubt it would be that useful for me in an actual regatta... (or legal ?) But for training... What a great tool!

Author:  MBounds [ Tue Mar 26, 2013 2:17 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Boat Bling

ronholm wrote:
(or legal ?)

Not class legal.

Truthfully, it's better that you develop a sense of how far away from the line (in seconds) and your head on a swivel than have your head down looking at a phone during the last 15-20 seconds before a start.

Author:  ronholm [ Tue Mar 26, 2013 8:31 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Boat Bling

MBounds wrote:
ronholm wrote:
(or legal ?)

Not class legal.

Truthfully, it's better that you develop a sense of how far away from the line (in seconds) and your head on a swivel than have your head down looking at a phone during the last 15-20 seconds before a start.


There is no disagreeing with that.

I found what is was looking for though in a Android app. "sailracer"


When out playing I can now set a line. Mark the line with gps and make practice starts. The app has a function to tell me how late I was.

So the phone rides out of site, and using traditional and legal tools I make my practice starts. Then I can check the phone and tell if I really had my timing right or not.


I know last year practicing with the phone displaying compass and boat speed really helped shorten the learning curve of being able to go faster without those aids

Author:  flatlander [ Sat Mar 30, 2013 6:47 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Boat Bling

MBounds wrote:
If it means anything to you, neither are class legal.
To clear that up a bit...
Tapered main sheets are legal, the 8:1 purchase is not.
I had considered a tapered main, but after installing a 5/16" (8mm) main everything ran a lot smoother :)

+1 the comments on electronic stuff. The less time you spend looking at your boat, or your wrist, the faster you become.

Author:  hobieandy [ Sat Mar 30, 2013 4:03 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Boat Bling

General rules.
(e) The crew may make repeated forceful rudder movements to turn the boat (sculling).
This is new. I always thought It was not allowed. Good to know..

20 class rules
7.2 Compasses, navigation and speed metering
equipment of any type are permitted.


So does this mean a GPS is legal?

Author:  hobieandy [ Sat Mar 30, 2013 4:10 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Boat Bling

hobieandy wrote:
So does this mean a GPS is legal?

so to answer my own question..
General rules
16.3 Compasses with brackets or electronic devices
that provide timing and heading memory but
which do not transmit, transfer or receive data
are permitted. The use of navigation and speed
metering equipment is illegal unless specifically
allowed in the individual boat rules or by the Notice of Race for the particular event or regatta.


NO. But I could use some type of mechanical speed monitoring device?

Author:  MBounds [ Sat Mar 30, 2013 5:45 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Boat Bling

flatlander wrote:
To clear that up a bit ... Tapered main sheets are legal, the 8:1 purchase is not.
I had considered a tapered main, but after installing a 5/16" (8mm) main everything ran a lot smoother :)

+1 the comments on electronic stuff. The less time you spend looking at your boat, or your wrist, the faster you become.

John is quite right, the rule regarding tapered sheets on the 20 was changed in 2006 at the same time a fixed centerline traveler cleat was approved.

But I had to look that one up. Fortunately, I've got copies of the class rules back to the beginning of time. Some of the early ones are funny - like no wooden battens allowed.

Author:  hobie18rich [ Sat Mar 30, 2013 5:57 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Boat Bling

Try a contour +2 camera. Gps playback and storyteller software.

Author:  dray [ Mon Apr 01, 2013 4:13 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Boat Bling

I've had a speed puck on board at a Hobie 20 NA's.
I had it set on compass since we were sailing offshore and wanted to know shifts. Truthfully though it didn't help much as the loose nut on the helm wasn't very good and the combined crew weight was wayyyy over minimum.

Author:  Abraham Jones [ Mon Apr 01, 2013 10:30 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Boat Bling

I'm giving serious thought to the idea of an old iPhone and a water proof case.

The question about speed always comes up during distance races. During a long reach it would be nice to know how fast the boat is going.

The idea of a tapered main came to mind because double trapped upwind I, the crew, saw on the main a lot to keep the boat flat. Sometimes the boat will shudder when I let the mainsheet out and I think it is binding somehow as it tries to run through the pulleys. Given the cost of a tapered main I'll try some McLube and see if that makes any difference.

With regards to the 8:1 being class legal we very rarely race against other 20(s). We only make it to a few Hobie sanctioned regattas put on by the Arizona fleets and for many years now we have been the only H20. Because the number of boats has declined in recent years the Hobie and Multihull fleets are starting to combine events and we've started racing with the Mulithull , Porthmouth, fleet instead getting thrown in with the 18(s).

When the decision was made to upgrade to an 8:1 system no consideration was given to being class legal because we're almost never in a situation where it is a concern.

Calling all mountain and west coast H20(s)! Consider the H66/514 spring and fall regattas in sunny Rocky Point Mexico. If you show up and I don't have a class legal set of blocks you win, maybe :-)

Thanks again for the input.

Author:  MBounds [ Tue Apr 02, 2013 4:17 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Boat Bling

Abraham Jones wrote:
Sometimes the boat will shudder when I let the mainsheet out and I think it is binding somehow as it tries to run through the pulleys.
That's probably the sheet sliding against the sheave of the ratchet block - which doesn't rotate when easing the sheet. It's what makes the ratchet block work to help relieve tension on your hands.

The only way to get rid of that is to change the type of line you use for a mainsheet. A tapered line won't help, since the thin part of the taper should never get to the ratchet sheave.

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