Speed log for a Hunter Daysailer

[esterhazyinoz]

Call me crazy, but I have always wanted a speed log for my H15 to provide feedback on the effectiveness of my sail trim. Had these when I campaigned larger boats in the past but could not swallow the cost and having to drill a hole in the bottom of my H15's hull to install the paddlewheel.

Enter 21st century technology! The Velocitek Speedpuck (http://www.velocitek.com/speedpuck/) - a Xmas present from my family this year. No need for wiring a paddlewheel to a display (pretty hard in a Hunter daysailer), it is a GPS based device that also gives you a heads up when you're getting lifted or knocked by wind shifts).

Tried it out last weekend and was very impressed. Beside doing what I want it to do, the display is so large I can see it from my position at the tiller (even with my old eyes and through Polaroid sunglasses).

 

[Benny17441]

The paddle wheel will measure speed over the water while the GPS puck will measure speed over the bottom with the difference being the direction and speed of any current that may be present. It can be hard to gauge with the puck if the speed differential between runs is due to sail trim or current strength and direction. For your purpose the paddle wheel will render better results.

 

[esterhazyinoz]

Thanks for that info. In my case, current does not play any significant role where I sail. Also a wired paddle wheel would be very difficult to install in my boat.

Although I no longer race, I have noticed that a number of one design classes use this device and its big brother the ProStart. I also like the concept of a device that I can easily mount/un-mount to keep it secure when I am not on my boat.

I guess that, as with everything else in life, there are pluses and minuses to any strategy.

Cheers!

 

[chuckwayne]

we have one on our 216 and it works well. Tested it in my car against speedo and gps and it was good up to about 35mph...more than enough range;-)

 

[Benny17441]

Oh don't get me wrong, the instrument will provide valuable information regarding instantaneous speed results for changes in trim for the current conditions, it is just the accuracy of the speed over the water that will be uncertain making it hard to compare trim results among different outings. Of course, if you sail in a lake the effect of currents will be significantly diminished closing any gap between speed over water and speed over land. I understand your concerns about drilling the hull and portability and totally agree with your choice. Enjoy.

 

[esterhazyinoz]

Your original point was well taken, particularly as this device can download your track against a google earth map so that you can playback where and how you sailed during a particular outing. That was another product attribute that was desirable to me. I understand that some regatta organisers use these on all boats and then super-imposed the tracks of all boats on google earth, or other, map sources in a simplified version of how the recent America's Cup was presented on TV. Being a bit of a gadget freak and tech nerd, all this went to capturing me as the prime target audience for this product and hence it went to the top of my xmas list that I sent to Santa.