Hobie Cat Forums

I might see whether I can attach one to a pedal arm or maybe one to each pedal arm and then I'll go twice as fast

Looks like the first one is in operation! Thanks saipedaddlefisher!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8AzlTDNz6OY

When you pump your leg...your thigh does one arc...
but you can hold your thigh in one position and can still swing
your lower leg back and forth.
If you are going to use a strap on pedometer...strap it on your thigh
not your ankle.

And I agree that any rocking of hull...even if you are not pedalling
would cause the pedometer to count!

I guess the most accurate would be some kind of electronic/mechanical
switch-counter attached to the Drive.

I guess the electronic counter is going to be patented? The video only
shows the display not the actuator.

Follow the Australian Kayak Fishing Forum link in saipedaddlefisher's post. (6th posting on first page of this thread) The photos there give a nice view of the sensor installation.

Even if not racing, I think it'd be pretty cool to really know how much I was sailing, vs how much I was peddling.

Happy Sailing,
- Jim L

Not by me

I'm just building on ideas put forward by other guys on both sides of the Pacific

I'd be really happy, however, to see Hobie use some of these ideas to develop some sort of a stroke counter that would be robust enough to operate in saltwater. Then I might be able to use the evidence to convince the Missus that I really AM working hard out there

The problem is wiping that huge grin off your face. Otherwise she's never gonna buy it.

Yeah, that's the one!
Let us know how that works out for ya.

- Jim L

I like the idea of a class race, but by the looks of it I am in a minority on wanting to race using wind, mirage drive and even the paddle. If a series of races were taking place over a number of weeks then it could even out between the skilled sailor and the powerfull peddler. In 20kn winds I dont see much peddling being done but in very light winds it would be entertaining to watch the tactics and coordination of competitors trying to paddle, peddle and keep wind in there sails.

I'm with you northsea. Since the Mirage drive is part of the magic of the AI, why not make it an integral part of any race. You would have to standardize the fins which were used and I thought the standard fins would be most suitable because:

1) Everyone should have a set.

2) Their limited capacity tends to de-emphasise the importance of pedalling relative to sailing. This would achieve a similar end to counting strokes and you don't have to determine an arbitrary penalty for using too many strokes.

I don't think you can completely eliminate a physical fitness factor from any sailing race - you don't see too many unfit people winning Laser class events.

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There was a regatta at Dana Point last year. With the AI group, they allowed the Drive but no luffing. I was in a different race but didn't hear of any complaints.

I like the Drive in the race; it adds a whole new dimension. That's the way the boat is designed.

Yeah, I've got to agree. The AI is a sailing kayak w/ a Mirage Drive. Do a straight sail-only, and it is just another sail boat race. Use the Mirage Drive unlimited and now you have an AI race. Hell, throw the paddle in and now you have an ultimate AI race.

On at least one of my trips, Bill Waller, who likes to pedal, would actually make better time pedaling a straight-line than I did tacking into the wind and/or battling a current. In retrospect, he was doing the right and smart thing. It seems that if you can furl your sail (it takes only a few seconds), and pedal, and make the best time, that is what an AI race is all about. Who knows when to furl and pedal? It is an AI skill.

Is a GPS going to be allowed?

Keith

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I sail: S FL, Key Largo, Everglades to Cape Romano, Ft Desoto, Cedar Key

"Any intelligent fool can make things bigger and more complex ... It takes a touch of genius and a lot of courage to move in the opposite direction." A. Einstein

I know, and the answer in an upwind/downwind race is: it's almost ALWAYS going to be faster to pedal upwind. That's why I started this thread.

Think about this:

Let's say winds are nice, and your upwind sailing speed is 6 knots. Let's further assume that you're tacking through 90 degrees. That means your speed upwind will be 3 knots. I can almost always pedal faster than that if I really want to, but the problem is, I don't really want to! Like I said earlier in the thread, I don't want to get out there and pedal my butt off against some maniac who doesn't realize this is a SAILING race.

The "no luffing" rule would be a pretty good compromise, but I could tack very, very slowly while pedaling my butt off and make quite a bit of "extra" progress upwind during each tack. We can't rule out luffing during a tack, and if I could make 4 knots directly upwind during a tack, I'd do it for as long as possible.

Tom,

My trigonometry is a bit rusty, but if you were making 6 knots hull speed at an angle of 45 degrees to the wind, wouldn't your upwind speed be 6 times cosine 45 = 4.2 knots, which would be harder to maintain by pedalling directly upwind, especially with standard fins. So pedalling upwind will not necessarily beat tacking in fresher winds, but there is no denying pedalling PLUS sailing is always going to be quicker than sailing alone, at least on a close reach.

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Chris,

My trig rusted clean off! My thinking is that at 45 degrees, half your progress is upwind, half across the wind. Simple and logical, but maybe wrong. Anyone?

A 45 degree angle to the wind makes an isosceles triangle, where both
legs are identical. So If you are going 6 kts at 45 to the wind...
you are progressing windward at 4.2 kts but also are moving 4.2 kts perpendicular to the wind.