So, correct me if I wrong..... Without adding to my current instruments (speed, depth, separate GPS), and it appears that it would be a cluster of those (wind, vmg, etc., etc., etc,.all networked (cha-ching!, cha-ching!, cha-ching!!!!)), there are no target speeds available to go from, or at least to get me into the ballpark.I'm really not inclined to chuck all my gauges out and spend thousands on new gauges or clusters. I guess I'm in between TF and PA, being able to operate and diagnose the newest gadgets, but not afraid to try the tried and true.
I would have to think someone out there has used polars. I'm not trying to be stubborn (it comes naturally, no need to work at it ;-) ), but I know I can still order polars from certain vendors. I know SOMEONE has done this before. I just thought it would be more available. Guess I'll break out the notebooks next season, and do it the "hard" way, at least until I have a few thousand to throw at a new gauge cluster. Steve Bayless #3491"Liebchen" Port Huron, MI On Fri, Nov 14, 2008 at 4:01 PM, Phil Agur <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > Steve, > > > > So it's the same term but the application is different. The gauge doesn't > care about your destination nor does it know anything about tides and > currents. All it really knows is boat speed versus true wind direction. So > it's a readout giving you the boats results going to weather. Similar to > understanding the boat sails apparent wind not true wind this gauge lets you > read real time results. If you crack off a bit to boost speed through the > water a VMG reacts right away so you can drive to the VMG sweet spot. > > > > So it's not a tactical device but it's a real time tune up for the guy on > the helm. Admittedly after a while sailing her in the sweet spot becomes > second nature but that's when you head is even better in the game. > > > > When a GPS gives you VMG it is based on a close single waypoint at an ever > changing angle. This will scramble the brain of the guy on the helm who is > looking to feel the boat perform to her polars. The speed lobes won't stay > on the plotted angles but will skew around making it very difficult to get a > feel for the real boat versus her polars. > > > > It seems reasonable one could pre enter a ring a of far waypoints (miles > away) and select the true up wind waypoint to get some short term VMG > training from a GPS but once the wind varied off your up wind point the data > would be wrong again. > > > > > > I changed out my 3 gauge POD to get the VMG/Close Hauled gauge mounted. > FLTR – Autohelm, Tri-data, Wind, VMG/Close Hauled, over a GPS Chart plotter. > I could never see having to change hats and go below and navigate. Out of > view is a RAM Mic to the DSC VHF below and the GPS and the Wind is hard > wired to the Autohelm so it cab steer course, wind, or routes. > > > > *Phil Agur* *s/v** Wing > Tip*<http://www.catalina27.org/public_pages/profile270.htm> > Secretary, C270 LE #184 > IC27/270A MMSI 366901790 > www.catalina27.org Vessel Doc# 1039809 > > > > -----Original Message----- > *From:* [email protected] [mailto: > [EMAIL PROTECTED] *On Behalf Of *Port Huron Freecycle > *Sent:* Friday, November 14, 2008 11:59 AM > > *To:* [email protected] > *Subject:* Re: catalina27-talk: Target speeds > > > > Phil: > > So, A VMG gauge, as in what's on my GPS? Or something new and expensive? > > > Steve Bayless > #3491 "Liebchen" > Port Huron, MI > > -- http://groups.yahoo.com/group/porthuronfreecycle/
