remembering race course??
- Thread starter repleb
- Start date
I sail with 2 local clubs, 1 uses very friendly Windward-Leeward courses and announces how many laps (1,2,3, or "are you kidding me?") before the start. Start/Finish is in the middle of the leg.
The other club uses marks all around the bay. The good news is they reuse their 2 or 3 course charts, depending on the starting area. I took copies of the charts, reformatted them on my computer (so I can read them without my reading glasses), and laminated copies which I keep zipped in my life jacket. Based on wind speed and direction, the course is pretty predictable. The more I sail with them, the more familiar the courses become.
But yeah, pencil washes off the deck easy enough. we've also used wax pencil on big boats to track compass headings. It cleans up easy enough too as long as there are no scratches in the deck.
The other club uses marks all around the bay. The good news is they reuse their 2 or 3 course charts, depending on the starting area. I took copies of the charts, reformatted them on my computer (so I can read them without my reading glasses), and laminated copies which I keep zipped in my life jacket. Based on wind speed and direction, the course is pretty predictable. The more I sail with them, the more familiar the courses become.
But yeah, pencil washes off the deck easy enough. we've also used wax pencil on big boats to track compass headings. It cleans up easy enough too as long as there are no scratches in the deck.
Depends on where the courses are set i.e. ashore before you depart or out at the start line on the committee boat.
Possibilities include:
writing the course on your hand/arm in biro
writing the course on masking tape and sticking it somewhere
Use a dive slate (either one designed to strap on your arm or one the same width as the toe strap that straps on the toe strap) - available from any dive shop. A "standard" sized dive slate (A5'ish) is great for larger boats but would get in the way on a Laser (I expect). Dive slates normally have a pencil attached but it does not wash off on in water (you need to use a pencil rubber to clean them off (they are designed to be written on under water by divers).
If course set ashore use an oil based pen and draw the course on your laminated chart
Different solutions would suit different sailing environments (e.g. no good using masking tape when the Committee Boat is displaying a course).
Ian
Possibilities include:
writing the course on your hand/arm in biro
writing the course on masking tape and sticking it somewhere
Use a dive slate (either one designed to strap on your arm or one the same width as the toe strap that straps on the toe strap) - available from any dive shop. A "standard" sized dive slate (A5'ish) is great for larger boats but would get in the way on a Laser (I expect). Dive slates normally have a pencil attached but it does not wash off on in water (you need to use a pencil rubber to clean them off (they are designed to be written on under water by divers).
If course set ashore use an oil based pen and draw the course on your laminated chart
Different solutions would suit different sailing environments (e.g. no good using masking tape when the Committee Boat is displaying a course).
Ian
Unless you're leading is this a problem ? Follow everyone else !
However, occasionally you will find yourself first to the top mark and clueless as to where to go next, I've been there (not often) it's not a good feeling.
I tried chinagraph pencil, as recomended to me, but as soon as it gets wet it disolves, so totally useless. The pencil idea seems a good one. I may try it.
However, occasionally you will find yourself first to the top mark and clueless as to where to go next, I've been there (not often) it's not a good feeling.
I tried chinagraph pencil, as recomended to me, but as soon as it gets wet it disolves, so totally useless. The pencil idea seems a good one. I may try it.
torrid
Just sailing
I have won races (the only time that happens) because everyone followed the leader, and he didn't know the course.
Sailorchick
Member
Are your marks numbered or letters?
At one of my old clubs the marks were letters so I used to make up a silly sentance using them to help me remember the course.
At another club where the marks are numbered I write the course on the back of my hand with biro (I don't wear gloves though).
At one of my old clubs the marks were letters so I used to make up a silly sentance using them to help me remember the course.
At another club where the marks are numbered I write the course on the back of my hand with biro (I don't wear gloves though).
I keep a pencil on my lifejacket and write the courses on the deck. I also use the "sentence" idea of sailorchick...sometimes lewd sentence but it is just so I can remember it...at the club level our marks are letters.
Sailorchick....you are awesome always sailing without gloves...more power to you!!
be well
Antolin
Sailorchick....you are awesome always sailing without gloves...more power to you!!
be well
Antolin
hitime
New Member
Repleb,
For me, I remember the course in patterns, with an anchoring mark, as my club defines the courses in shapes, like triangles, trapezoids, sausages. For example triangle, triangle, sausage, triangle, finish, so when I go around the anchoring mark I tick off (in my head) which part of the pattern sequence I am in and I have found that this has worked well for me.
HiTime
For me, I remember the course in patterns, with an anchoring mark, as my club defines the courses in shapes, like triangles, trapezoids, sausages. For example triangle, triangle, sausage, triangle, finish, so when I go around the anchoring mark I tick off (in my head) which part of the pattern sequence I am in and I have found that this has worked well for me.
HiTime