kent_island_sailor
Super Anarchist
Does anyone have a link to the remote control GPS racing marks?
Remote control racing marks
- Thread starter kent_island_sailor
- Start date
From the Helm
Anarchist
ROADKILL666
Super Anarchist
That would be fun to hack.
Foxtrot Corpen
Super Anarchist
AYC plans to use one for the finish of the AYC Fall Race to Solomons on Saturday, September 25th. Finish at Drum Point at the entrance of the Patuxent River. Feeder race for Screwpile the next two days.
daan62
Super Anarchist
we have several of these marks at the sailing club. was a really good solution for reducing race management crew during COVID and will be used in the future. (less volunteers needed)
we sail at the IJsselmeer in the Netherlands so no current...
we sail at the IJsselmeer in the Netherlands so no current...
Mr. Squirrel
Super Anarchist
MarkSetBot just finished providing all of the race marks for the White and Blue circles at Block Island Race Week. On Saturday Storm Trysail Club gave away all of their anchors that were previously used for setting marks. I guess that means they want us back in 2023.
MS
MS
TJSoCal
Super Anarchist
Fine idea but they seem pretty spendy…
And I think for bigger regattas and especially youth events you’re still going to want to have several crewed RC boats stationed around the course.
And I think for bigger regattas and especially youth events you’re still going to want to have several crewed RC boats stationed around the course.
daan62
Super Anarchist
LionessRacing
Super Anarchist
Much like anything that is powered, automated, expensive and left outside there are some pros and cons.
Pros
- Not needing human(s) in boat(s) large enough to carry/tow traditional marks.
- No anchoring issues
- Accurate (re) positioning
communication between mark, RC, competitors for larger boats
[*]Large and visible in waves
[*]On board Video/OCS/AIS capability
Functions as an ATON
- Can log competitors passing ?
Cons
- Theft/Accident/Vandalism
Nighttime lighting?
[*]Endurance of onboard batteries
Time on station
- distance to travel
[*]Speed of (re)positioning
4-5 kts?
[*]Storage (these are large)
At ~8k each to purchase, plus monthly charges a simple triangle course is $16k if the committee boat sets the start line with a regular buoy. Go to a windward/leeward with gates and offset and you get $40k plus ongoing.
Being able to have multiple marks come into the dock like "roomba's" and get charged, only to depart on pre-set courses in the morning would facilitate short course racing at regattas.
Monkey
Super Anarchist
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I think a cool addition to the bot would be a 4 color, daylight visible stack light for the weather mark and leeward mark. Then the RC could amend the SI’s to say blinking green = Charlie right, blinking red = Charlie left, blinking blue = Charlie plus, etc. That would allow RC to make even easier course changes.
K50L2RGB7ALS | K50 Pro Series 50 mm Programmable Multicolor Indicator (bannerengineering.com) would be VERY easy to integrate.
Running with Scissors
New member
SDYC gave these a try a few weeks ago. The constant stream of kelp coming down swell played havoc with them. The solution was to have a markset boat above each bot to chop up and divert the kelp.
Doug Halsey
Member
- 359
- 113
Are you saying that the marks couldn't maintain their position because of the kelp, or that they created an obstacle to the boats near the marks?
Running with Scissors
New member
Marks couldn’t hold their position because the kelp got caught on the trolling motor dragging them downswell and also preventing the motor from turning. We had to anchor some with our normal inflatable buoy ground tackle.
European Bloke
Super Anarchist
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At which point you might as well have a cheap dumb mark with an anchor, unless it's very deep.
Chap at our club has done a DIY version, currently in test. Used an electric outboard and RC model components. I've seen it holding position in just over 20kts so far. We have no tide or current. Battery lasts a day. It gets launched from a trolly and towed out most of the way by the committee boat. Needs a dedicated and enthusiastic volunteer.
TJSoCal
Super Anarchist
Recent regatta used an app called Buoy Zone to establish the course and transmit it to mark set boats so they knew where to lay the marks. Integrating SP marks with that app would be awesome.
I wonder if a self-stationing mark with an automatic anchor would be more economical than asking the mark to maintain station all day.
I wonder if a self-stationing mark with an automatic anchor would be more economical than asking the mark to maintain station all day.
daan62
Super Anarchist
- Speed of (re)positioning
4-5 kts?
more like 3 kts... but still fast enough.
biggest advantage is the amount of volunteers needed to get the course in...
jackolantern
Super Anarchist
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Big fan of the Marksetbots at BIRW. Behaved predictably and very easy to see and work with. One comment is how to sight them on the starting line, because they’re 4’ wide. Should have some kind of line flag staff option for starting pins
