What's the point of a log?

[pampas]

Re: What\'s the point of a log?

Apart from its usual function, I use mine to tweek sail trimming +0.1kn may seem small but gives me the satisfaction of knowing that I am sailing as fast as I can.

 

[Robin2]

Re: What\'s the point of a log?

I agree. I have given up on my log. The risks due to errors involved in using a log that is uncalibrated (even if you did it yesterday, some weed or weevil may have gotten into it 30 minutes ago) are far greater than the risk that the GPS system fails (assuming you have at least 2 GPS receivers and sufficient batteries).

Years ago cars were less reliable than horses, but not any more. Now GPS is more accurate and more reliable than any other navigation system.

Yes, it would be nice to have a reliable measure of speed through the water - but I am not prepared to pay the price of an ultrasonic transducer (assuming they work better!). And for tweaking sail trim we are only interested in short term speed changes (over the course of a few minutes) and the tides are unlikely to change so quickly.

 

[l'escargot]

Re: What\'s the point of a log?

[ QUOTE ]
...when your GPS decides it has had its day...

[/ QUOTE ]
But what if your log decides it has had its day on the same day?

 

[damo]

Re: What\'s the point of a log?

You go back to dropping a bit of wood and string off the stern timing it of course /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif I dare say there would be problems in a 6m boat doing 30 kn though - an extreme case of "twelve knots and a Chinaman"?

 

[ex-Gladys]

Re: What\'s the point of a log?

If still available I would have another Autonnic trailing log. Amber had one, and the lack of through hull and the hassle with impellers would make it a no brainer for me... But thye don't so I can't....