When Tactics are Key
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Text by Jussi-Pekka Aukia
The Suunto K-95 TAC compass helps competitive yachtsmen to choose
the right tactics and react rapidly to changing wind conditions.
The differences between modern racing sailboats are marginal.
Moreover, the skills of the yachtsmen tend to be evenly matched. Victory
in a race depends on the right choice and execution of tactics. In addition,
it's vital to keep track of small changes, or shifts, in the angle of the wind.
Suunto's K-95 compass is a tactical tool for Olympic course or round
the buoys racing. The working principle of the compass is simple. When the wind direction changes the course of the boat, the compass shows the exact change in the wind angle. The green and red sectors of the compass indicate
a lift or an unfavorable shift in the wind. When the wind angle shifts,
the needle of the compass moves into the red or green sector.
Before the race is on, Suunto K-95 indicates the favored end of the starting line,
enabling you to steer clear into the wind without risking being blocked by
the other competitors. When sailing close-hauled, Suunto K-95 helps you choose
the ideal tacking angle and to maintain it in changing wind conditions.
On the running legs, it tells you which tack gives the best angle.
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On the close-hauled legs, a competitor must simultaneously choose
the ideal close-hauled angle to the wind, accurately assess the wind speed
and direction, and set the sails correctly. On top of this, you must keep track
of what the other competitors are doing. When sailing, there's no such thing as
a perfect performance. One of the attractions of the sport is that you
can always improve your performance.
The sector in which the boat is as close-hauled as possible is quite narrow. The challenge is increased by the fact that the speed and direction of the wind change constantly, and
so the boat can easily drift off its tacking course.
If you sail too close to the wind, the distance is shortened, but speed drops. And if you sail too free, you not only lose speed, but also lengthen the distance. The latter error tends to be cumulative, leading the boat further and further off course.
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1. When the wind direction has been set before the start, the compass frees you from having to do mental calculations and automatically shows the favored end of the starting line.
2. After the start, Suunto K-95 helps you keep an optimum course to windward and maintain your chosen heading in variable wind conditions.
3. When running with the wind, the compass helps you navigate the best course to the downwind buoy, maintain the chosen course in variable wind conditions, and choose the tack that gives you the best angle.
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