Floodlit Spinnakers

jimi

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I'm thinking of getting a black spinnaker with a huge red bloodshot eye in the middle, would it be illegal to sail along with this at night with this floodlit?

<hr width=100% size=1>O wad some Power the giftie gie us
To see oursels as ithers see us!
 
The spinnaker of course, and from behind ... wicked! Whit else?

<hr width=100% size=1>O wad some Power the giftie gie us
To see oursels as ithers see us!
 
... generally thought undesirable but you can get a camera with red-eye reduction so it shouldn't really be a problem ...

hope that helps ...

what was the question again?


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Eye eye skipper

Dear Mr Jimi,

I know, as a Yachtmaster, you will not be familiar with the Infernal Regulations for the Prevention of Contusions at Sea. You might like to borrow them from your local library.

You will see that vessels proceeding at night are required to show a red light to one side and green light to the other, but I can't remember which.

You might like to ascertain this and then obtain a spinnaker with a pair of eyes, one bloodshot, one green with envy. With both of these floodlit you would surely not be in continent, sorry in contravention, of any of the previously mentioned regulations.

PS you might want to check this advice with the competent authorities. I've always found the RAC to be helpful.


<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.writeforweb.com/twister1>Let's Twist Again</A>
 
Why not a black kite with a scull and cross bones on it.. even better.. oh hang on don't do that I will!.. infact you could do a whole skeleton.. Shiver me timbers I'm a genius!

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Re: Max Power Yachting

Due to Mr Jimi's plans to "Modify" his yacht a la 19yr old Saxo driver... might I suggest a few other "PHATT mods"....

Neon Keel Lighting. - "Mental man, green am da wickidest"
Jap Style 'Zorst' mods - Get that Yanny soundin random, give your ride a phat 5" Stainless exhaust.
Low Rider - Get dam ride Loooow. Shorten your rig to... say 28 inches.

and you want the maddest IBE (In Boat Entertainment) wiv da mental bass to hot up da biatches..

Wicked man, RIIDE....


<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.ybw.com/cgi-bin/forums/postlist.pl?Cat=&Board=wanted>Stuff Wanted </A>
 
Excellent idea!

As the proud owner of a black kite, I would just say that it is a tad difficult to trim after dark, so even with white luff tapes added we change to a different kite for night time. As Sod would have it, thats a bigger kite for the hours of darkness.

the new brand of LED torches, taped judiciously on the foredeck make wonderful luff illuminators so that you can see how the the kite (or jib) is trimmed - we had a 3 LED one with two AAA that lasted for four nights of racing just fine. I've just changed the batteries (14 months on) for the first time! The new boat will have some waterproof LED uplighters moulded into the foredeck for just this purpose.

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Black kites

I do remember - and I'm not joking - that there was once a well supported theory in ocean racing that black kites were faster. I can't remember the arcane detail - it was along the lines that thermal heating of the sail created an upward component in the air flowing across it, thus producing extra lift - something like that. The theory and the subsequent fashion lasted a couple of season, probably until someone with a white spinny started winning races.

The only thing I'd add is that darker spinnakers are easier to trim on a bright day when the sun is behind the sail, just because of eye strain. I once crewed a boat that sported a white, yellow and pink kite, and found it impossible to concentrate on it for long periods. Murphy, of course, dictates that the moment you take your eyes off the kite the luff collapses.

<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.writeforweb.com/twister1>Let's Twist Again</A>
 
Wasn\'t that black decks?

I do remember the joke about this; some bloke asked for his new boat to be black with a white deck, but somehow the colours were reversed, and he began winning with his black decked boat. He was interviewed about what he thought was the most critical factor in his success and he replied that it was the black deck. This was supposed to be a joke, but was taken seriously for a while. This was in the US in the 70s or 80s I think.

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Re: Wasn\'t that black decks?

You might be right, but I think black kites came into it as well. Was it Loujaine which had a black kite with a white cross of Lorraine in the centre which started it?

<font color=red>>>>LOW/OLD MEMORY WARNING<<<</font color=red>

<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.writeforweb.com/twister1>Let's Twist Again</A>
 
Hey that would be really spooky partic if you did the skeleton in luminous material ... would do the whisky industry wonders ..picture the scene

Wet dreich night in Portree .. door crashes open and in runs a wild eyed white faced fisherman ... hanging grimly onto the bar he orders several large ones in a trembling voice .. when the barmaid finally says "Whit's wrang Jock, yer no yersel the nicht" he responds "Ye wullnae beleive it Myra but ah've jist been chased up the Minch by a ghostie skeleton!"

<hr width=100% size=1>O wad some Power the giftie gie us
To see oursels as ithers see us!
 
The \"Black Decks\" yarn.

If anyone is interested, I posted the old "Black Decks" yarn <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.boatsyachtsmarinas.com/cgi-bin/datacgi/database.cgi?file=Forum&report=Subtopic&SubtopicID=00002732>HERE</A> a little while back. No idea where it originated.
 
Re: Wasn\'t that black decks?

I recall the discussion - but dinghies always preferred white kites, as we maintained that coloured filler (in materials such as Dynax), was heavier, so impaired flyability...

What I find makes life easier, is to ensure that the first panel in from the luff contrasts with the next panel - it is then easier to see the curl - and I agree about the glare issue.

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