We use the "regatta pro" system for sound signals - it is almost idiot proof if the operators don't mess with the settings!
We recently modified the set up so that instead of the electric output going to the supplied air pump (and horns) it now goes directly to power horns in the committee boat. I dare say an electronics engineer could use the electric output signals from the regatta pro to drive lights - but it would not be very easy. Maybe it's commercially available. I am not sure if this is permissible on lakes, but we on Long Island Sound have been placing "permanent" (removed in the winter) race marks in our racing area. Each year they are re-placed in exactly the same location. Over many many years, the locations have been determined based on common winds. For sure, the windward mark is not always exactly upwind of the chosen starting pin, but usually close enough to satisfy our most competitive sailors. Use of fixed marks, and the regatta pro allows us to run races with two on the committee boat (though we usually have three) and eliminates need for a mark boat. As other Clubs, we also require those that race to do time on the Committee boat - though we do not compensate with a race score. We also rely heavily on non-racing members of the Club to volunteer on RC duty. It's not generally an issue - we make those individuals responsible for finding their own replacements if they cannot perform their duties on a given date. Hope this helps with some ideas. -- Jonathan Indigo C&C 35III SOUTHPORT CT > On Aug 9, 2015, at 22:37, David Donnelly via CnC-List <cnc-list@cnc-list.com> > wrote: > > I know this is sailing related but it is not C&C related. We have a fair > number of avid racers on the list and I was hoping for some useful leads. > > A short background. > > I started sailing essentially 3 years ago when we bought our C&C 26. Although > I have only raced in the “fun races” I have been volunteering on the race > committee since joining the club. One problem we have always had is lack of > other volunteers to help run good races, often there would be only 2 of us. > One person usually ran the start countdowns and recorded times and I assisted > on line calls and did all the mark setting and adjusting for changes in wind > direction. Being on a lake wind shifts are a regular part of the day and > while not an excessive amount there is almost always adjusting of the marks. > 2 people can manage the duties as long as they know what they are doing, > committee boat and mark boat. The other individual is retiring from the > committee boat duties. > > I am only talking keelboat PHRF racing, not dingy racing. Series racing we > have 6-8 boats usually and fun races we have 20ish. > > I have been asked to be fleet captain next year. Having reservations > regarding the ability to get volunteers as I have 3 seasons of experience in > this regard I am trying to think of ways to “automate” the start sequence so > that we can assign other club members to committee boat duty throughout the > season. My thought process being if they are intimidated by racing rules, > having a simple system pushing a button and watching the line is easier to > train and get people acclimated. It also provides consistency to the boats > racing that no one “forgets” the horn because they were talking to someone > else aboard. > > I realize this may not be official according to the rules but we are not > running the Americas Cup. Having spent some time researching via google there > are some commercial alternatives available, only a few I found in North > America. I am looking for anyone’s experience with these devices and perhaps > problems or ones to avoid. My short list of wants: > > 1. Ability to do a 5,4,1,0 start. > 2. Easy to use / reset. Push button with its own clock > 3. Connected to lights instead of using flags so all human intervention > is avoided beyond the line observations and recording of time. I think racers > on our lake would accept this as long as they are visible. > 4. Portable, able to be taken ashore and used on different boats. > 5. 12V power > 6. Reasonable cost > > The lights seem to be a non-standard option on what I found, at least on this > continent, or only on homemade systems. > > Any leads or links appreciated. > > Regards > David Donnelly > C&C 26 Mistress > _______________________________________________ > > Email address: > CnC-List@cnc-list.com > To change your list preferences, including unsubscribing -- go to the bottom > of page at: > http://cnc-list.com/mailman/listinfo/cnc-list_cnc-list.com >
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