Fastnet record success

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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.
 
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.
 
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!
 
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