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Author
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Topic: Low Tech Instrumentation
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Tailpiper
Member
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posted January 01, 2008 06:18 AM
  
Windy Island and Duchess II are dressed with some very impressive electronics. The performance data available from them is quite incredible. But, there must be some really low-tech indicators too.For example, it was not until after Rendezvous 2006 that Sapphire got telltales for her jib. Wow, what a difference! I don't know how I managed without them? What are some other low-priced enhancements and how have you relied on them to improve your performance? IP: 65.93.74.102 |
Darcy
Member
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posted January 01, 2008 11:38 AM
A magic marker to mark a numbered scale along side your jib fairleads, outhaul, cunningham, boom vang, etc. You can also purchase snazy peel & stick versions. Use them with a notepad that you keep on board. Record the positions of sail settings in conjunction with wind speed and wave action. You should be able to develop a "cheat sheet" of sorts that reminds you of the best sail settings on your boat based on wind and wave. Many of us think we can remember these few locations but I find I usually remember them after the race or cruise when it's too late. D'Arcy, Shortwave IP: 72.39.79.138 |
Tailpiper
Member
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posted January 05, 2008 05:00 AM
Apparently sailors call these clinometers and not inclinometers. What do I know? 
A few of you have these mounted in the cockpit. Do you sail by them? Do you rely on them for performance indication?
IP: 65.93.74.102 |
Piperman
Member
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posted January 05, 2008 03:48 PM
Hi Dennis,
I don't have one. I don't think I need one of these things because I prefer to sail the boat instead of having my attention taken by instruments. Just to say, I sailed the last half of last season without even turning my GPS on as a knot-meter. I felt good just to care for the wind, sails and tiller.
But it's just me, I am really not the "techno" type.
BTW, I really miss sailing these days! 
Sometimes I feel like fitting skis under the boat!  ------------------
Michel
Mari-Bell no:154
 IP: 70.51.192.73 |
DonW
Member
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posted January 05, 2008 07:23 PM
Pipe Down came with one just above the step into the companionway. The few times I sailed, I didn't think to look.
The Mirage 33 I crewed on had one in the same place and we occasionally commented on the reading when we were keeled over.
BTW... I ran into our skipper from my crewing days while walking the dog in Point Pleasant Park. He started talking about getting another boat...so I'll keep my fingers crossed and will encourage him any time I can. He wants something about the same size as the 33 footer, but I can't see why something in the 28 foot range wouldn't do.
Since no one ever spends a night on his boats, I'll try to steer him towards something with an extra large cockpit and a smaller cabin. It's not like we'd take it offshore very far.IP: 142.167.207.30 |
elmet3
Member
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posted January 05, 2008 10:53 PM
Duchess has an inclinometer or clinometer mounted under the companionway. I look at it occasionally, but if the boat is really heeled I don't think to look at it. I usually sail Duchess pretty flat.IP: 75.45.197.126 |
Tailpiper
Member
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posted January 06, 2008 08:38 AM
quote:
Originally posted by DonW:
... I ran into our skipper from my crewing days while walking the dog in Point Pleasant Park. He started talking about getting another boat...so I'll keep my fingers crossed and will encourage him any time I can...
Don, once a sailor always a sailor. Good luck with that. By the way, have you heard from Robert since he got spousal? Was he allowed to make his New Year's Day sail?
Michel, you sail by the seat of your pants, or more accurately, by the hair of your head. Here again is that famous Anemometer Hairdo: 
These telltales attach to shrouds. How do they display? True wind direction? Apparent wind direction? Air flow in the vicinity of the sails?
 IP: 65.93.74.102 |
Richard
Member
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posted January 06, 2008 09:43 AM
We have those Davis shroud telltales.
The windward telltale gives apparent wind, the lee telltale nothing useful as it is influenced by the sails.
They tend to get stuck, don't spin freely, and also curl up when the sun is on them, so much of the time are useless.
IP: 207.200.159.137 |
Piperman
Member
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posted January 06, 2008 03:30 PM
I think it is much better just to feel the wind in your face or...your hair!
But I think that if you want some kind of visual instrument, a windwane at the top of the mast is reliable for the apparent wind. This is nice when running and you don't want a surprise gibe.  ------------------
Michel
Mari-Bell no:154
IP: 65.92.184.84 |
DonW
Member
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posted January 06, 2008 03:50 PM
[QUOTE]Originally posted by Tailpiper:
[b]Don, once a sailor always a sailor. Good luck with that. By the way, have you heard from Robert since he got spousal? Was he allowed to make his New Year's Day sail?-------------------------------------- Hi Dennis
No haven't heard from Robert at all.
With a new bride, new house and last I heard ..two jobs, I imagine he's busy.
I believe he posted a comment on CoolBreezes' forum over the holidays. Says he didn't get out much last year due to what I listed above and his volunteer position with the Sail Able organization race here last Sept. He hopes for more sailing in 2008. IP: 142.167.208.218 |
sandude
Member
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posted January 09, 2008 02:16 PM
A different setup for a jib and mainsail counts as "low-tech" doesn't it?....and as well, this rig is on a 565 sailboat (that'd be 56.5 FEET)  IP: 216.191.156.74 |
sandude
Member
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posted January 09, 2008 02:19 PM
The joke doesn't work very well when you post the wrong picture!!!...Dahhhh  IP: 216.191.156.74 |
Tailpiper
Member
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posted January 10, 2008 04:54 AM
Sandude, our Sandpipers also have 2 cockpit steering stations: sit to starboard or sit to port. And considering that we must clear the entire saloon to use the toilet, we probably have the biggest head of any cruiser on the water (under 100').I'm still amazed at how much stuff you piled on the dock next to Gem and then successfully stowed below at R'07. That included a butterfly net! IP: 69.156.56.168 |
Tailpiper
Member
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posted January 19, 2008 04:09 AM
On the subject of low-tech instrumentation, nobody mentioned the compass.What is its role in optimizing sailing performance? Or, is it just a navigation aid? IP: 70.48.181.137 |
elmet3
Member
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posted January 19, 2008 02:32 PM
I tried to use the compass to help me tack, so I could tack through the "correct" number of degrees. I found this was not very helpful, watching the sails was much more effective. I have tried to navigate by compass, just to see if I can do it. But I always end up watching the shoreline. I would still like to try navigating a significant distance by compass, just to get the feel and the discipline. I also tried telltales, and I think them helpful, but not hugely significant. I think even the windward telltale is affected by the sails. The most best aid that I have found is the wind indicator at the top of the mast. That gives me the best indication of wind direction. ------------------
Arthur
Duchess II
Sail #381 IP: 75.45.197.126 |
Sea Wolf
Member
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posted January 19, 2008 05:26 PM
By far the most important low tech indicators on my boat are the tell tales on the jib. These let me know the exactly if I can sail more up wind or have to move down a bit. Lets you pick up shifts almost instantly. A compass is important if you want to find the the centerline and then the degrees that tell you when the wind is straight down the course. once you have those numbers you can see very quickly if you are being pushed or lifted. very helpful if you have no land references or just want to keep a heading. On the big boat that I crew on the inclinometer is important because if you are heeled over more than 12 degrees you start to loose speed very quickly. On the CL16 the only time I want to have any lean at all is if the wind is light and I want to have less surface area in the water.Sea Wolf IP: 205.200.172.17 |
Darcy
Member
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posted January 20, 2008 08:50 PM
The compass is a very useful tool. We often write down our headings so you can tell over the course of a few hours if the wind is clocking. I also can't always remember the courses after a few tacks so a written record is very useful. A grease pencil is good to have for notes on the cabin.Ticklers on the main are also useful. You should have one trailing off the top of the leach. It should be blowing straight back if the main is set correctly. If you have the main sheeted in too tight, the tickler will often trail off. You can correct this by letting off the main sheet slightly. After you've done that, centre the main by pulling the traveller car up some. The traveller car can even be brought up past the centre line of the boat in light to medium winds. D'Arcy, Shortwave IP: 70.53.128.188 |
kenn
Member
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posted January 31, 2008 10:21 PM
Our new compass is a $175 replacement for "go over there"  Actually it's been a good aid for both of us to set and hold a course. Plus it looks cool, 'specially at night. IP: 69.77.190.236 |
