Music System on Laser

manateerichard

manateerichard

Collegiate Sailor
Would it be class legal to maybe have a small portable sound system on Laser? I mean it would be so raw to listen to some jam while hiking out. Has anyone gone about this?
 
One of the guys on the UK circuit used to race whilst wearing earphones. Made calling starboard interesting as you never knew what volume he was at or whether he could actually hear you.
 
Funny, 'cos when I was learning to glide I ask my instructor if it was ok to listen to a music player whilst flying (alone) and was told "not to" (I had qualified it with considerations like very open headphones so no pressure risks, and gliders don't shout at each other and radio is well loud enough to hear over music, ...)

But in a dinghy I would not (whilst racing anyway), 'cos I would really want to hear that starboard call.

When I had a 38foot OOD we always listened to music - tape used to keep repeating until somebody got really fed-up enough to go below and change it (to their choice). Crew were always welcome to bring and play their choice of music and with 8 crew we never had and disagreements about music played - but we never had music on whilst racing for some reason (nobody ever seemed to suggest it, no a rule but it just happened). Going out to race: music, coming in after finish: music. What probably happened was whoever was taking course read out over radio turned music off (to hear course) and never switched it back on and then everybody concentrating (same for offshore races when need radio at start to hear any announcements).

Ian
 
Listening to headphones while racing isn't particularly safe, not when so many boats are clsoe to each other.

As for playing music over a sound system, there may not be a specific rule against it. However, I would consider it very poor race etiquette. Other racers trying to concentrate would not appreciate the distraction.
 
ive seen someone who had taken out a deck hatch and fitted a marine speaker and fitted a jack socket near to the mast and had his i pod taped to the mast with a double ended jack lead connecting the 2 togeather but i wouldnt reacomend cutrting and drilling holes in your deck but i thaught i would just mention it nobodey around minded him playing the music as it wasnt verry loud but only just loud enough to hear as you got sort of within 5 or so meters.
 
I have a waterproof iPod case, armband, and headphone setup that I wear when surfing, sailing, swiming laps in the pool, or open water swim training for tri's. It's made by H2O audio and works great, but I don't think I'd wear it while racing.
 
Matt B said:
ive seen someone who had taken out a deck hatch and fitted a marine speaker and fitted a jack socket near to the mast and had his i pod taped to the mast with a double ended jack lead connecting the 2 togeather but i wouldnt reacomend cutrting and drilling holes in your deck but i thaught i would just mention it nobodey around minded him playing the music as it wasnt verry loud but only just loud enough to hear as you got sort of within 5 or so meters.
Click to expand...

Would that pass an inspection at a regatta?
 
manateerichard said:
Would that pass an inspection at a regatta?
Click to expand...

I don't think so, while not specifically outlined in the rules, I think that would fall under the "anything not mentioned is therefore illegal" phrase, yet furthermore, who would really care? Yeah having music is nice, might help you concentrate and keep your head in the game, but is that setup worth cutting into a perfectly dry hull and adding weight for?
 
manateerichard;152618 I mean it would be so raw to listen to some jam while hiking out.[/quote said:
Damn, I'm gettin' old.

The touch of the breeze on your windward ear provides input that your brain uses to send subconscious commands to your tiller hand and sheet. No way I'm messing up that up with a pair of ear buds..

The waves provide the rhythm and the rig provides the song...
Click to expand...
 
Deimos said:
But in a dinghy I would not (whilst racing anyway), 'cos I would really want to hear that starboard call.
Click to expand...

I think I have heard someone call starboard once this season. Plenty of sailors seem to have forgotten that maybe the sailor on port just hasn't seen them and a quick courtesy call might be needed.

I think if you keep a very vigilant look out for boats around you listening to music would be fine. Certainly safer than jogging with a mp3 player on.
 
Sean said:
I think I have heard someone call starboard once this season. Plenty of sailors seem to have forgotten that maybe the sailor on port just hasn't seen them and a quick courtesy call might be needed.

I think if you keep a very vigilant look out for boats around you listening to music would be fine. Certainly safer than jogging with a mp3 player on.
Click to expand...

I sometimes think a lot of the fleet are just shy. I was always taught to shout loudly and confidently on the water. You barely get a squeak out of some of the guys racing around here.

Seriously, no one will take offence at you calling for your rights, shouting to say yes you have seen the boat calling you, asking if you can cross/telling someone they can/cannot cross.
I will however take offence if you have seen a potential collision and don't raise your voice because the other person is on port etc and should have seen you (yes they should of but there is always human error)
 
One thing that really annoys me is when a Starboard boat waits until they are right on top of a boat on port and then deliberately make a lot of noise cuasing the other boat to suddenly crash tack and then complain when/if there is contact when a quick hail would have prevented this.

It is a shame you are not required to hail in a timely manner because I see behaviour like this as unsporting (and unecessary). If I suspect a boat has not seen me I will hail them so I know that they know I am there. Then of they do not respond in the manner required (by keeping clear) the only other word they get would be protest...and we can chat about it afterwards, not always at a hearing. If it is a club race and we can agree on who was right and who was wrong then a chat afterwards will suffice, at an open metting then a hearing would probably be required.

Anway enough of the thread drift.....I think a music system on a Laser is a cool idea but not if you are racing. If I came across anyone with a iPod or something similar in whilst racing I would keep well clear as they may be distracted by what they are listening to.....
 
I wouldn't cut into a good deck just for it, but if you've already got the inspection port(s) and some very water resistant hardware then why the hell not? Seems fun. There are waterproof boxes for iPods and waterproofed iPod nanos on the market. Keeping aware of other traffic, whether racing or not, would always be the issue. One of the places where I sail there's a metric crap ton of power boaters around on the weekends during the warm months, many of whom drive as though they're blind and drunk, because they do tend to be. It helps to hear them from a long way away.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Back
Top