To all the Merlin sailing guys out there,
Do many of you use a GPS when sailing?
I would be really keen to get a handle on the approximate speeds when sailing upwind at best VMG for a modern Merlin in:
5 kts (crew in middle)
10kts (both hiking, powered up)
and 20kts (well overpowered)
And also the approx sweep angle on the centreboard upwind with full rake on.
Cheers
Danny Boy

Since electronic things except compasses are banned in the Merlin Rocket class it would seem probably that there is no public data and that those who have used a GPS for tuning and training purposes are going to keep the results to themselves!

Ah well - I don't see it as a massively cheeky request or the data as being enormously valuable - everyone sails around at a broadly similar speed! Looks like I will have to go to plan B, never hurts to ask..
Dan

I expect several Merlin sailors do have them, just for fun. It can be a useful training device too.

Richard Whitworth took his GPS out this summer for a race...

His track is here:
http://www.everytrail.com/view_trip.php?trip_id=616763

And by means of comparisom, a friend in his RS100 here:
http://www.everytrail.com/view_trip.php?trip_id=617197

Looks about the right speed as I think you will find that the peak true speed for a Merlin is probably 14 - 15.5 knots.

If you look at the elevation  -  makes you wonder about the accuracy of the rest if the info.

It looks to me like the effect of tide and then beling hauled up a slipway

I like that site, used to struggle with getting a map overlay, makes it very easy.

I uploaded 2 Queen Mary practice sessions (see if you can spot where the practice starts were) one was in very very light winds, to other was in light winds.


http://www.everytrail.com/view_trip.php?trip_id=893395


http://www.everytrail.com/view_trip.php?trip_id=893400

If I can find my GPS I'll upload some tracks from the 49er in races.

And here is a potentially rule breaking 4.5 hours of 2008 Brightlingsea Silver Tiller.

A rules question - Rule 17 says 'no electronic aids except ..'  Is a GPS that is tucked away and not referenced an 'aid'?

Can you sail with a heart pacemaker?

Do you have one then Barry?
I am sure you can sail with one, wether it is legal or not I would leave to wiser counsel (joke!)
If Blair could be PM with one I am sure you can sail the wisdom is up to your doctor!

Not yet. But if I try to kep up with the conversation about going dead downwind faster than the breeze I am sure I will need one.

A member of my club is developing a GPS tracking program for sailing.  We each carry a GPS logging device during the race.  After sailing the data is downloaded and the race can be replayed on a laptop. It uses Google earth and the program generates a track for each boat. It provides VMG for each boat, so to windward not only do you see differences in pointing angle but it compares speeds. It makes it clear when you were lifted or headed and should have tacked.  We have found it a useful tool to discuss settings and review tactical decisions post race.  I hope to bring a couple to some open meetings next year, so I can improve my Merlin sailing. All I will need is someone better than me to carry the tracking device; so most would qualify.  It only weighs an ounce or two and because the data can only be used post race, it most surely doesn't contravene use of electronic aids whilst racing.

Hi Alan, how many races/laps?? Only 2 tracks tot he outer wing mark!

Several companies already offer this GPS Tracking service- it enables people to analyse their races, to follow the whole race in real time or replayed afterwards to see where and what paid a link to one of the vendors is attached.

Barnsie, I couldn't remember, so had to look it up in Y&Y!

2 races on the Saturday in 12 knots dying to 4 or 5 of wind. No racing on the Saturdays

** no racing on the Sunday!!! **

The Olympic Classes events have chips on all the boats for most of the events so that you can watch the racing unfold online in real time!

We (well, Lou made a call) to investigate this for the Penzance Champs, but the costs involved were prohibitive.

We use them in the Etchels class for our worlds and North American Championships. Make really interesting watching.
Last year John Bertrand's track for race 1 was analysed and he wasnt going faster than everybody else but he sailed 600 metres less than the second boat. This particuar system had the tide and wind direction showing and was a terrific teaching aid. The Olympic classes and most big boat fleets use them regularly for coaching and race analysis..

Coincidentaly this on Y&Y today!

I used my Garmin cycle computer ,(waterproof to 1 meter), attached to the tiller at the very windy 08 eskimo trophy  sailing with Mr Deppe ( must have been windy even RW capsized)
This pic on photoboat coincides with the Max speed 19.1 MPH see http://fotoboat.thirdlight.com/viewpicture.tlx?albumid=131112&pictureid=5747529
Check out http://connect.garmin.com/activity/17179673  for the snail trail click on player at the top right  
I think theres some vids on u tube from the day

Shortly followed by this picture..........

blimey that looks cold.