PDRacer Sailboat - Measuring Tacking Angle

Speed over Distance Record
by Tim Cleary
9-28-07 record: 2.8 mph over 20.5 miles

I tried one last voyage run for the season. Mostly great wind conditons, 12-17 mph so I decided to go up to the northern end of the lake. I rarely go up there because:

1. If I get becalmed I don't want to have to row all the way back.
2. I have to go through a narrow passage where the hills block the wind.

To get through the passage I have to wait for some wind to get around the hills and come sweeping through the narrows, then use it to tack upwind until it's blocked again. Then sit and wait for another burst to come through so I can do some more tacking until finally through. It takes patience and really brings down average sailing speed.

Nevertheless, I went and came back. I also crossed back and forth over the middle lake a few times until the wind slackened (around 5 pm). The end result was 20.5 miles with an average speed of 2.8 mph.

I put up photos of a map of the route taken, fantail coming up off of the rudder, some bow spray, the boat sitting at a beach for a lunch break, and the GPS reading:
http://photobucket.com/albums/ee57/saturntown

Tim C.

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