Howie Rowson cruising at 40+ on his production kit.
GPS SPEEDSAILING HOW TO
Equipment
Most production speed/slalom boards
are easily capable of 40knots plus and even on the windiest days aren't
far behind the speed needles (maybe a knot, or two knots if the course
is tight) which are far harder to sail and will reduce the number of
runs you can make down the course. Quite often you'll do better to do
twice as many runs on a more forgiving board and catch those lucky
gusts.
Setting it up
Assuming the ideal conditions
of very windy and a broad angle, you'll need quite a bit more downhaul
and less outhaul than for regular blasting. You really do need the sail
to 'open up' as much as possible -so use the bottom clew cringle, lots
of tack strap tension (if you have one) and pre-set lots of twist into
the sail. (Too much outhaul or not enough downhaul will over tighten
the leach)
GPS Units
If you're buying a new unit,
you really should go for the GT31 (~£100). Your other options are the
GT11 and Garmin 201 which will do the job if you can pick one up cheap
off ebay or a mate, but aren't as accepted at the top of the gps
ladder. You'll also need to buy an Aquapac, the Pro sports 208 or 212.
*!!PIMP WARNING!!* Try www.gps-speed.co.uk for your gps needs *!!PIMP WARNING!!*
GPS-SPEEDSURFING.COM
(http://www.gps-speedsurfing.com)
This
website is the hub of all GPS speedsailing activity. You can find all
the information you need to get started, post your results, join World
and British rankings, get weather reports, chat on the forum and read
event reports. You'll need to register and make a note of your username
and password.
Setting up your GT31
This is very straightforward. Simply follow the instructions HERE
For any problems THIS may help.
Downloading your results
The
simplest way is to record all your data onto an SD card inside the
GT31, you can then simply read the card on your computer's card reader
which will be an sbn file.
Alternatively you can download the data as an sbp file using the NAVILINK II utility which comes on a disc with the GT31.
GPS RESULTS
(http://www.gpsresults.com/)
This
website allows you to download the appropriate gps results program.
Initially for a free 30 day trial and then years subscription.
Gps results is the easiest way to analyse your runs and send them to Gps-speedsurfing.com.
Simply
open your sbn file, check out you results, set your 'username and
password' to match those on gps-speedsurfing, then send your results
(all using the 'FILE' menu at the top)
Combining two tracks (optional)
The
new 'record' ranking for those that wish to enter requires that you use
two GT31 devices simultaneously and combine the results.
Select
the first SBN-file (File - Open - left click), then press Ctrl and
select the second SBN-file. You will then be asked if the two files
shall be combined (averaged) - answer yes and if both firmware versions
match you will see the combined results (red circle) together with the
speeds from unit1 (GPS1), unit2 (GPS2), and the difference (green
circle) and the errors (black circle - only if you used SDOP firmware):
Adding a session to Gps-speedsurfing
This
is the fun part and very simple! Log in using your username and
password under 'My GPS', then fill in your details and 'My Profile',
then go to 'My Sessions' and choose 'automatic add session'. Fill in
the requested data, then press send and your session will be shown in
latest sessions. After your data has been checked (and you may be asked
to produce the original file) you'll be added to the rankings. Joy!
Events
Check out the UKWA website for more info on Weymouth Speed Week, The British GPS ladder and 'Ultimate Speed Meetings'.
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Gps how to 
