6 replies to this topic

[dub420sailor]

While working on my Lightning to prepare it for racing, I realized that the one thing that it was missing was a countdown timer for starts. Obviously the first piece of equipment that comes to mind is the Tacktick. The next thing that instantly comes to my mind, at least, is that I already have a compass and I don't want to spend $400 on a digital timer and another compass.

So for about $20 I built an alternative. The kitchen timer ($4 at Walmart) is attached with a magnet to it's housing. The prism shaped object is a cut up white board ($3 at Walmart) wrapped around a wooden frame. This allows everyone to see the bearings taken from all the wind shots. The bow guy is closest to compass and can get the best reading so will write them down on the whiteboard. There is enough room that multiple readings can be recorded to track trends in wind shifts. The backs are cut from a piece of plywood that I shaped using a mast block. Tomorrow I will use black webbing and buckles to attach to the mast and see what happens.

Please excuse the sloppy woodwork and varnish job, this is a ghetto Tacktick, I didn't want to spend too much time or money on it. Hope this helps someone.

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[duncan (the other one)]

Yup.. done the same thing.

$5 kitchen timer in a ziplock bag (to keep the water out) sticky taped to the front tank.

Screw paying $100's for a real thing. I've got a spare one in the parts bin if I lose it, too.

[spinntrim]

The Tacktick is so much more... The M24 fleet in Detroit has improved its starts 100 fold by using the start line info that the tacktick gives you.

Really you are missing out

[knobblyoldjimbo]

1. buy an Optimal Time watch, about US$35 - has synchronising features that the kitchen clock won't have
2. find someone with a Tacktic or whatever and shadow them.
3. turn off the sound signals and get a crewmember to call the countdown with a five or ten second differential - that'll cause some confusion!

[Steam Flyer]

1. buy an Optimal Time watch, about US$35 - has synchronising features that the kitchen clock won't have
2. find someone with a Tacktic or whatever and shadow them.
3. turn off the sound signals and get a crewmember to call the countdown with a five or ten second differential - that'll cause some confusion!

IMHO using fancy electronics is a band-aid for people who don't learn the skills from the ground up... yes, if you are already really good then it's great BUT if you're that good then you should easily be dominating a a local club fleet without it. Spend time on a Laser or Sunfish or something doing 50 practice starts per afternoon, learn to take transits & read wind shifts + tidal current visually... I can sail past a starting line on an easy reach while talking with the crew and tell you without thinking much about it which end is favored.

Also done the false-count-out-loud trick... can be devastating to an opponent who is focusing on 'getting you' instead of getting a good start. Works both ways, count 5 or 6 seconds back to put them in your gas, I like that better counting early and putting them on your bow but OCS, you still have to fight your way past them. It's kind of a dick move but I have only done it to 'competitors' who deserved it thoroughly.

FB- Doug

[dub420sailor]

Forgot to mention, Lightning class (which I race) rules don't allow the use of GPS or anything that calculates speed or anything that allows you to calculate distance as knowing distance and time will give you speed. Otherwise I would totally opt for a Tacktick that had those features. I didn't have time to put anything on the boat today before racing, but I will post pics after I mount everything.

[John D]

1. buy an Optimal Time watch, about US$35 - has synchronising features that the kitchen clock won't have
2. find someone with a Tacktic or whatever and shadow them.
3. turn off the sound signals and get a crewmember to call the countdown with a five or ten second differential - that'll cause some confusion!

OK on 1 & 3 if you desire. On no.2 if you shadow you usually shadow over the finish line too!