Tactical Compasses

Anyone still using a Tactical Compass on the H16? I've heard about a Sunnto one that can lace to the tramp, but haven't managed to find one on the net anywhere. I'm happy racing with the Plastimo one on my 4KSB, and just wondering if they're used much in the H16 fleet.

Already know about the Tacktick offering, and not that keen on the $500 for it (plus it doesn't seem to clear on it's lift/header info).

Cheers, PT.

Seen a few guys using the Tactick,a buddy of mine has one on his tramp not sure what make it is.I have never used one,like to keep my head out of the boat and use the angle other boats are sailing as my guide.

Ah! I think the point is to be out in front, not following what others are doing!

By all means, cover, stay between your competition and the mark, etc... but race your own race. A tactical compass is only another one of the tools available as I see it and I accept is not strictly necessary.

Wouldn't mind finding out what the one's your mates use, are called though.

Cheers, PT

Yes, I use one....although I've never seen one on another H16. I use it because I sail based on information and not sensation.



I haven't beem sailing that long (5+ years) and learned using the wind vane, compass, tel tales, e.t.c. Of course, I know many sailors that sail by sensation but I'm not one of them. For me, I've found that I can get my boat to perform well more consistantly through information. Maybe one day, I'll have the experience like all the other guys.

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Happy Sailing,

David

Hi Dave,

Thanks for the pic! Now I know where to mount it, just got to find one like it though! If you don't mind, could you post the make and model of your one?

Cheers, PT.

PT,
It's a Tactician Sailing Compass Model #240260 made by RITCHIE. Got it from West Marine (pg 809 in their catalogue), if you can believe that. It has a combidial w/ tactical quadrants and sells for $54.99. Besides being adequate in size, the colors contrast in a way that allow me to see it from just about anywhere on the tramp, even trapped out. Excellent for spotting wind shifts especially if you're sailing away from the coast line. Gonna have to move mine to the other side as I'm mounting a spinnaker cleat where the compass is now. Oh well.

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Happy Sailing,

David

I use a TackTic tactical compass mounted on a bracket that extends below the forestay adjuster, so that it's right below where the bridles / forestay come together. It's right there with the wind indicators so that you can see everything at once.

The jury's still out on its usefulness. It's definitely worth watching in lighter air, but in heavy air, there's too much else going on.

Matt: Any chance you could post a picture of your TackTick setup? Are you using a TackTick Micro Series?

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-Roland
Sailing vintage Hobie Cats in West Africa.

The bracket with the TackTick micro installed:

Rear view:

Detail of the plastic bit that fits into the forestay adjuster (it's just a machined piece of Delrin):

Side-by-side with the one used on the 17 and 14:


The boat is put away for the winter, so I can't show it to you installed on the boat. I used it on the 16 at a regatta about a month ago and it was OK - but since it's too far out in front, you can't use the other features (start timer / compass) easily.

The mount for the 14 / 17 works well. Just clamps on to the dolphin striker. Buttons are easy to reach, so all functions are available.

The string in the photos is a tether. A very small hole was drilled in the corner of the case, the cord threaded through with a knot on the end and silicone seal used to ensure the watertight integrity. You really don't want to lose that $500 toy dangling under the bridle if you fall on it in a pitchpole.

WOW !!!! Now, that's a compass !!!

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Happy Sailing,

David

I'm going with the Plastimo Iris 100 Tactical compass. It's only around 60 quid, so if it doesn't work out, I won't be bleeding too much cash. I like Matt's mounting bracket for the H17, and am going to try something similar where the iris, will be attached to the bracket, but go down through the center lacing close to the mast. The bracket will be attached to the dolphin striker under the beam. This should hopefully keep it low profile and out of the way, but visible from almost all points about the boat (except from when you're on the wire in front of the bows, in which case knowing when to tack becomes a bit moot ) .

Hopefully this image link works;


Cheers, PT.

I saw that bracket too. Gives me an Idea on how I can attach my wind-vane to my Spi pole.

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Happy Sailing,

David

Thanks a million, Matt!

I figure the digital readout of the TackTick would be easier to read from far away than a traditional compass. True?

I also remember somebody mounting a single-display unite, possibly a Velocitek SpeedPuck, on a bracket below the boom. The ingenious part was a string tied to the downhaul adjuster (not sure I have the right term for this part), in order to "tack" the display to windward and thus make it visible to the helm sitting on windward facing his mainsail. I think I saved a picture, which was posted on Sailing Anarchy. Will have to dig it up or find the SA thread again.

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-Roland
Sailing vintage Hobie Cats in West Africa.

The display on the TackTick is quite readable from a distance, and having it on the bridle puts it in the field of view with the wind indicator. I put it in the "Tactical Mode" before clipping it in, so it shows the (approximate) true wind heading on each tack (you have to set your tacking angles in first).

The guy you're thinking of is Mike Dobbs - "Tornado" on Catsailor. The unit he had was a Nauteek SC200, similar to a Velocitek SC-1. Both of those units are GPS based, and therefore not legal for Hobie class racing. Mike's self-tacking system is neat, but it would be in the crew's way on a Hobie 16. In addition, it's keyed off the mast rotator arm - which doesn't exist on the 16.

The TackTick Micro is purely an electronic compass w/ a start timer, so it is class legal on all Hobie Cats.

Bill thank you so very much the sail boat is great ,It is all you said and more. It was very nice to deal with you .we will enjoy it as much as we can . See you on the water JR