Fastnet record success

[peterb]

Re: Trickled down from where?

I worked on a miniature fluxgate compass at RAE Farnborough in 1957. It didn't claim to be the first such device, but it certainly wasn't intended for yachts.

 

[Mirelle]

CQR

Invented by Professor Sir Geoffrey Tayor, FRS, and first used on his own boat. Described by him in the Yachting Monthly for January 1938. (The only reason I know this is that the same edition contains a review of my boat!) I think you are right that big versions were used for Mulberry Harbours whilst smaller ones (along with all aluminium Baby Blakes!) were used in Sunderland flying boats! But it was a pure cruising invention.

In the article Professor Taylor recommends splicing a fathom of rope onto the ring on the shank, fishing for that with the boathook and using that to lift the anchor on board - I adpoted that and it is a good idea.

 

[Mirelle]

Re: Trickled down from where?

That people with a lot of money to spend will experiment with new devices and materials to make their boats go faster is beyond dispute!

But yachtsmen as a group are inclined to spend money experimenting with new gadgetry - the paint companies always try new antifoulings in the yacht market before going for their real market - big ships. And the electronics business is much the same.

Joe Bloggs in his Westerly Centaur or Contessa 26 is very much inclined to experiment with paint and electronics!

 

[Mirelle]

Score two for the RAE!

What a hive of innovation it must have been (and maybe it still is!)

 

[Viking]

How about - Bad Taste!