Sail Training and Analysis Device

Does the ideal Laser roll tack take 2.3 seconds to roll through +/- 20 degrees, or 2.5 seconds to roll through +/- 18 degrees?

I mentioned in another thread about a little widget I have that basically will display and record roll, pitch and heading. Info is stored on a micro SD card and can also be transmitted in real time via bluetooth, so a following coach boat could see exactly what heel and trim you are sailing with.

It could be a really useful tool for checking how upright you sail, how well you time your roll tacks, how much veal heel you have on your Moth, what trim angle you have whilst planing, your 'fourth mode' trim etc.

When combined with a Velocitek or Garmin it could also be used to determine leeway angle, to see what effect a bit of heel/trim has on speed and how much spped you lose during a tack - in a precise and measured way.

Having used it in over the last few months on other applications, I intend to try it during Blaze training this weekend (assuming the Burghfield fleet don't mind).

Video demo

Ah, but at least I'll be able to see how (in)consistent my tacks were, and how (un)upright I was - and how much speed I lost as a result!

Everyone knows you 'shift your weight forward' in light stuff, and 'sit at the back of the bus' downwind in a blow - but how much, exactly? Two degrees bow down? One up? As much as possible? What can be measured, should be measured as they say. Anyway, roll on the weekend!

That's an amazing bit of kit, especially if, as you suggest, the readings can be stored for later analysis.  But even if just connected to displays showing instntaneous fore-aft and heel trim it would be great.  I had no idea such a thing could be had with such a fast, fine response.

Originally posted by Medway Maniac That's an amazing bit of kit, especially if, as you suggest, the readings can be stored for later analysis.  But even if just connected to displays showing instntaneous fore-aft and heel trim it would be great.  I had no idea such a thing could be had with such a fast, fine response. A must-have toy, in fact (dependent on price, of course!)

Yes, it is all stored ona micro SD, and there is also a USB port to download without removing the card if preferred. So, once it is synchronised with a Velocitek you can plot both sets of data, so, for example, the difference between heading and track is your leeway.
I think the max sample rate is 256 times a second.

Originally posted by Medway Maniac Fantastic.   I imagine from the video that it can be mounted any-old-place/how and work out where is, on average, up as a datum?   Next question: Can it easily be made waterproof?! (Remembering all the reports of Garmin Edge 800's going phut after a cycle in the rain).  I guess a waterproof phone bag taped to the mast would suffice for the dedicated early user, but the public will want to use it in soapy water in the bath .

Yes, you'd want to position it level if possible (strapped to the mast or on a flat deck like a Laser), but you could correct afterwards if it isn't placed level.
It fits inside a gopro camera case (just use some Dual Lock tape, like strong Velcro, to secure inside) which can then be mounted in many different ways, or an Otterbox, which has belt loops.   Both are well proven and rated to plenty of depth.

What would you do with it in the bath?!