Gizmo rating

[WayneS]

There are so many measurement factors for boats nowdays (Displ/Len Ratio, Sail Area/Displ ratio, Ballast ratio, Points vanashing stability etc etc) but I think that the one that is missing, and the most important for 90% of us, is a GIZMO Rating.

I think that every gizmo on a boat should have points awarded, and the boat scoring the highest points be declared the "coolest" boat.

How about this for a start.

Echo Sounder 5 pts
Log 5pts
Windex 5 pts
GPS 10pts
RADAR 15pts
AIS 10pts
AIS and RADAR 30pts
Wind Instraments 10pts
Close Hauled dispay on a cruiser 50 pts
Autohelm 7pts
CD player 10pts
CD player on a racer 50pts
In Mast/Boom furling 15Pts

End of brain dump so please add you ideas.

 

[Beagle]

Beagle\'s Gizmoos

Echo+Log+Windex+GPS(fixed)+GPS(handheld)+Autohelm+Windinstruments+hendheld compas= 55 points

But whatabout: Radio/MP3 player, External speakers for laptop (for watching DVDs), additional headset for watching DVDs at night, fancy weatherstation, fency alarm clocks, .....?????

 

[knotgood]

Re: Beagle\'s Gizmoos

em... VHF??

 

[KevB]

Excellent idea. You should sell it to the boating mags. When they do a trial they have to give it a gizmo rating

 

[Evadne]

That reminds me..

Some Americans I met recently introduced me to the "nerd rating". You get one point for each tool you carry on your person (knife, torch etc.). Multitools (leatherman etc.) are rated at the square root of the number of tools they have.

Ours must be an uncool boat, 20 points if I remember to pack the handheld gps.

 

[Beagle]

Re: Beagle\'s Gizmoos

[ QUOTE ]
em... VHF??

[/ QUOTE ]

oops... yes! uhhh..... even an Icom DSC VHF /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

does this mean additional points???

 

[KevB]

Dinghy - Gizmo rating based on the size of it's engine?

bit boring I know but how about life raft?

 

[WayneS]

Was a bit weary of confusing safety/necessity with Gizmo.

The last thing that we want if for the anti-Gizmo fraternity to avoid buying necessary safety equipment for fear of increasing their Gizmo Rating (GR).

That is why I did not add the VHF also.

Happy to be overridden on this tough if you like

 

[Das_Boot]

Obviously never been on a long trip. Otherwise Autopilot (helm) 99 points all the rest put together 1pt. (out of 100)

 

[lockwood]

Relatively new to sailing and learning every day....

but what is a close hauled display?

 

[KevB]

Yep, you're right. forget the liferaft. VHF is deffinitely a Gizmo espacially if it's GMDSS and connected to your gps and it works...

 

[WayneS]

A normal wind display will show the angle of the wind though all 360 degrees.

However, the resolution of this sort of disply is not good enough when you are beating into the wind so normally the 60 degrees either side of dead ahead is expanded onto a "Close Hauled" display but displayed on a much bigger arc.

Have a look at the normal display here and a close hauled display here and it should make more sense.

Basically it allows you to see much smaller changes in apparent wind direction which is necc when going up wind.

Cheers

Wayne

 

[dralex]

Is this for new or used boats? If it's for new, then you normally have to buy most of that kit as extras, therefore you can make your own Gizmo rating. If it's to assess your own boat, then I'm a lost cause- Gizmos rule.

 

[WayneS]

This is developing all the time but I think that it has to apply to your own boat. (Don't feel bad, I am Gizmo king).

I think that most new boats would struggle to get above 10 points.

Cheers

W

 

[WayneS]

Keep your Gizmo ideas rolling folks (With the score you feel they deserve). I intend to put the list up somewhere where you can score yourself. I will even publish results if you like.

W

 

[BrendanS]

MP3 server with several hundred CDs worth, and capable of playing different music in different cabins and areas of boat independently.

Flat screen TV which electronically raises out of wood panel. Along with surround sound and huge subwoofer under settee for seat vibrating action during those action movies

Remotely controlled cameras looking in engine bay/astern etc, with screen at helms

Playstation and flat screen in each cabin.

Satellite phone
Satellite TV reception
Satellite internet
Laptop or computer

PS don't forget on flybridge motorboats, much of the equipment is duplicated, so will get a much higher gizmo score

PS all the above have been seen on boats, I'm not fantasising!

 

[KevB]

Dinghy Gizmo rating

with no engine = minus 5 points
less than 2.5hp = 3 points
More than 2.5hp but less then 5hp = 5 points
5hp to 10hp = 7 points
Over 10hp = 10 points
Bigger engine on your dinghy than in your boat = 30 points
Jet rib = 50 points.

 

[KevB]

Come off it Brendan, boats is plural. Surely you meant boat ie Diana 11

 

[mirabriani]

I have to admit to being mildly impressed with some of the Cherburg sailing yachts with all the padding and tape around the lumpy bits on the foredeck. It shouts "We go out in BIG SEAS"
Got to be cooool.

Regards Briani

 

[AlienP2]

Beer Cooler & BBQ (or are these essentials?)