collins
posted 07 August 2002 12:47 PM
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Are Tacktick solar powered compasses (the old type) allowed within class rules?
John Lanham
I found this on the tacktic website but they do have an interest in selling them.
Tacktick Sonata Class Information
What is allowed in this class ?
Micro Compasses are allowed in this fleet
Race Masters are allowed in this fleet
All Tacktick products are allowed in this fleet
Is there any way we can get a ruling or do we have to wait until someone uses one at the championships and there is a protest?
Regards
John
150
I am not sure about this, i think that this is not acceptable to the class? 
chris.tait
Put it this way if you can’t find out what the wind strength is, then should you be able to be told when to tack?
For what its worth..
150
Why?
chris.tait
What I mean is, if wind strength indicators are banned (which they are) then TackTicks are surly more advantages and therefore should be banned also?
There is/has been boats in the Clyde with them but they ‘only use them as compasses’ 
nmclure
I’m sure I’ve seen tactics used on Sonatas and wouldn’t personally be against them if someone found on useful.
We have a dinghy tactical compass thing on the mast where everyone can see it. [just the same as a normal compass but with different numbers – the number you read on one tack from the side of the compass should be the same you read on the other side]
Finds the wrong side on Loch Fine just as quick, I reckon……….
Neil McLure
John Lanham
Neil
Can the Helmsman read the compass you use on the mast? If so what make is please.
John
Administrator
I’ve just been preparing an old newsletter for publication in the archives section of the web site and I came across the following quote from Mike Owers the then chairman in a report of the Sonata AGM for 1993:
“With regard to the flux-gate or electronic compasses it was felt that the existing rules permitted their use and, therefore, no change was made.”
Although TackTicks take the idea of electronic compasses a stage further than was envisaged in 1993, it’s the nearest thing to an official ruling that we’ve had so far.
Administrator
posted 16 August 2002 03:50 PM
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Mmm – this is rather a good one.
According to Rule 7.1.5, you definitely need a “marine type steering compass of a minimum card diameter 60mm, properly installed and adjusted” so you can’t JUST have a Tacktick.
There’s no mention of electronic compasses in Section 7.3 Prohibited Fitted Equipment, so that’s all right. On the other hand, there’s also no mention in 7.4 which lists equipment that can be carried on board and used while racing – so that’s not so good.
This seems a repeat of the mess we got in with GPS equipment. The spirit of the rules was “don’t use them” but everybody did use them so the rules had to be changed.
Does anybody else have any opinions on this subject?
Jack Hardie