This is an Excel spreadsheet with tabs labeled 4 through 7 to indicate crew responsibilities for racing based on the number of crew onboard.

 

 

Racing as a crew member (stuff everyone should read): You are able to see the displays on the mast.  The upper display is Depth & Speed.  Use the speed display to observe trends in speed and help adjust sail trim as necessary.  Use the depth display to express a concern on safe water depth trends to the tactician so we don't do anything stupid.  The timer is displayed before the start.  One person relays the countdown to the person on the bow at the start (15 seconds, then 10, 9, 8...).  Don't touch any of the display buttons unless asked.  The Tactician has complete control of the displays from the remote.  There is a link to a PDF file called "Using Wind Shifts".  This describes the basics on how to use wind shifts to your advantage.

 

Racing as the Tactician who runs the controls (Tactician Must Read): The PDF file called "TackTick Remote Display" covers the remote display you hang around your neck.  This is used to remotely control all displays so nobody needs to touch any buttons.  It also is where we will start the race timer.  The Word file is a guide for the Racemaster Compass that hangs on the mast.  The PDF files called "Using Wind Shifts" describes the basics on how to use wind shifts to your advantage.   Basically, here is what the display setup is.

A.  The upper TackTick dual digital display on the mast is reserved for boat speed and depth sensed off the hull transducers.
B.  The stbd cabin top has the TackTick analog display - default is for apparent wind direction and speed.  This may be used to check true wind and speed too, but will be switched back to apparent wind after checking tru wind.
C.  The port cabin top has the TackTick dual digital display - default is for VMG (velocity made good to wind) and Tacking angle (the magnetic course the boat will be on after tacking).  The helmsman may request other data to be displayed (e.g. SOG, COG, etc.)
D.  The Racemaster Compass is mounted on the mast below the dual digital display.  The default for the upper display is magnetic heading.  The lower half will be used to display Line - LINE (line bias before the start to determine what end is favored), Timer - TMR (race timer before the race, and can display elapsed time during the race), Wind Shift - WND (displays wind header / lifter trends graphically and numerically based on 10 minute average)

Here's the preferred mode of operation:

• Make sure all displays are on in the default modes before the race
• Check that the timer is preset for a 5 minute sequence and adjust as necessary
• when the line has been set, select the "LINE" display ask the helmsman to sail down the line and set in the line bias.  See which end is favored and factor that into your decision on where to be at the start
• Shift the lower Racemaster display to timer so everyone can see it.
• On the remote display, select the timer mode and start it with the starting sequence at the preparatory signal from the committee boat.
• if the timer is off a few seconds, synchronize it at the 4 minute warning signal from the committee boat
• The timer on the Racemaster will shift to Wind display automatically at the start.
• Use the remote display to determine win oscillations on the graphical display and try to synchronize tacks to be on the correct side of the course
• Direct trim changes and sail adjustments as necessary to maximize boat speed