Least popular modern gadget?

Re: Not strictly true:

I don't race, so I only need to adjust the sails if I hear them flapping, when hard on the wind, otherwise steering to a compass course. Do you use a spinnaker at night?

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I disagree with that one actually, they have their uses through their VMG calculations (only useful once, when first getting to know your boat, but still).
Still the engine for me!

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In favour of windstruments

Wind direction, agreed, but what you want to know is the wind angle, expecially when beating. That's where a close-hauled function on the windstruments is really useful, and much less disruptive than flashing torches around.

Wind instruments are also very useful on a dead run when you're trying hard not to gybe. Watching the masthead can be a real pain in the neck.

Also wind speed is useful when you get to the point of wondering whether to reef or unreef (as long as you know whether your boat goes better with or without a reef at certain apparent speeds). And when you get close to the corner of a race course, being able to work out the apparent speed and direction (and thus the sail and rig settings) for the next leg is a good thing.

<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.writeforweb.com/twister1>Let's Twist Again</A>
 
Re: In favour of windstruments

Eerm .. the instruments give you the lowdown at the mast head, however the actual wind is different lower down, so I would'nt rely on the instruments for the most efficiency .. need to see the tell tales and luff IMHO ..

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Re: In favour of windstruments

What you do is use them during the day as well, so you know the optimum wind angle at night. Even with a torch you can't see the leeward tell-tale which is the real key. Don't forget, on a well-sorted race boat everything will be calibrated and marked so you can replicate settings and know what numbers you should be hitting.

<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.writeforweb.com/twister1>Let's Twist Again</A>
 
Jimi may well be right about wind instruments, and I would include the Windex as a wind instument. Mine never seem to last a full season.

However my nomination must be the mobile phone.

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Depends on boat size and rudder configuration...Brought a Southerly 135 RS back to Chi from Plymouth a couple of weeks back and the twin rudders didn't work at under 2 kns., one prop 2 rudders = NBG.. Motored out of the marina using the bow thruster. ( Astern and ahead).. So I'd say DSC is the top or should it be bottom of the list. Not that I have one...

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Not on my race boat ...

Have to say that replicate settings on a boat ?? Never seen exactly same conditions twice ....

My boat does very well .... even won Baltsail Regatta 2003 ..... but its down to my guys reading the sails and sheets etc. Feeling the helm vibrate, altering sheet angles etc. Sorry but I have a tweaking crew .....not a crew who read dials etc. The guys reading dials were behind us !!

I used to think dials and gadgets would win the races .... had all the gadgets serviced and fixed ..... for wind I have 3 dials ... speed, close-hauled and astern ........ they work beautifully .... but alas most time we look at sails etc.



<hr width=100% size=1>Cheers Nigel http://groups.yahoo.com/group/gps-navigator/ http://groups.yahoo.com/group/searider/
 
The most annoying thing for me in marinas are owners with overhanging bowsprits !. They invariably overlap the pontoon at groin catching height.

The most useless bit of machinery of the last century has to be the Seagull Outboard – It only has one moving part – The Rower ! .

The best and most useful bit of kit in modern times for me are sail telltales , and baseball caps for spec warers . Simple cheap and effective.

The most useless in modern times I would add the tide watch , hand held wind speed whatsits and fish finders ( give the poor buggers a chance !)

What we really need is a gizmo that alerts all other ships that we are about in bad weather and fog. As all gadgets seem to percolate from big ships we probably won’t get one though. What weekend yachstmen need is the good old fashioned wispy haired, trouser turn upped, sports jacketed , leather elbowed electronics Practical Wireless nerd to save our hides. Surely Mirelle you can find one of these up you’re way in Radarland up the Ore and Alde !


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Now I have to take exception ....

<<The most useless bit of machinery of the last century has to be the Seagull Outboard – It only has one moving part – The Rower ! .>>
What blasphemy ....... one of the most reliable bits of kit ever to hit a tender behind ... OK its noisy, messy and the older ones withouit any clutch etc. But you could dunk it - wash off with fresh water, clean / dry plug and it would likely still start.
I have 2 o'bds ...... a Mariner 2 and Johnson 4.5 ..... both have their moments - but every Seagull I had kept going ....... I wish these later additions to my inventory were as reliable.


<hr width=100% size=1>Cheers Nigel http://groups.yahoo.com/group/gps-navigator/ http://groups.yahoo.com/group/searider/
 
Electric pepper grinder

Seriously... I was on a boat recently and at mealtime out came a whining little gadget which appeared to be trying to grind black peppercorns and deposit them onto the plate with zero effort by the user. American gadget (obviously). Quite impressive though - only took about 5 mins per user... 20 mins of whining later and we were all fully 'peppered up' and ready to eat... by which time we needed to reheat our meals.... enter microwave a.k.a. Devils's Tumbledryer..... that's another story....

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Along with electric winches?

Anything to avoid raising a sweat - and then they go and join a gym!

<hr width=100% size=1>Que scais-je?
 
Scented toilet paper

Seriously... you couldn't make it up..... here in NZ you can't buy a pack of toilet paper that isn't impregnated with some obnoxious scent.... I mean seriously... what is that all about?... wiping your bum with perfume?..... and I thought the kiwis were a hardy bunch of no-nonsense bros.

So the next time England face the Hakka, Woodward should get our boys to visualise the All Blacks wiping themselves off with lavender-scented rag - how about that for a motivational fillip!

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Re: Scented toilet paper

"So the next time England face the Hakka, Woodward should get our boys to visualise the All Blacks wiping themselves off with lavender-scented rag - how about that for a motivational fillip! "

That would probably be deemed unsporting.
I seem to remember when a GB team got into trouble for doing the Hokey Cokey in response to a Hakka
Dan

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>>Wind instruments .. totally pointless<<

Not pointless for me, I have a pilot-house design and can stand the watch below when it's cold and wet outside. The wind instrument is very valuable in those conditions and furthermore it acts as an input to my autopilot allowing me to lock my heading to wind direction rather than a compass course (like a vind vane steering system).

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