I just came across this product which is such an elegant idea (no I dont' sell these!):
http://weatherflow.com/windmeter/index.htmlIt got me thinking has anyone else had any ideas for windsurfing that combine tech with our sport. I thought North's shockie extension was pretty cool idea. I was thinking of creating an electronic downhaul adjustment by combining a high-torque RC servo to adjust a downhaul with a controller on each side of the boom to have real-time electronic adjustment. But generally slalom or speed guys aren't thinking about trim at 40kn, though it'd be great for LOC or Defi Wind. You could do a similar think with a fin by having a retraction system where the fin would retract into the board if you wanted less fin.

Has anyone else had any ideas?

ozpricey said..
I just came across this product which is such an elegant idea (no I dont' sell these!):http://weatherflow.com/windmeter/index.htmlIt got me thinking has anyone else had any ideas for windsurfing that combine tech with our sport. I thought North's shockie extension was pretty cool idea. I was thinking of creating an electronic downhaul adjustment by combining a high-torque RC servo to adjust a downhaul with a controller on each side of the boom to have real-time electronic adjustment. But generally slalom or speed guys aren't thinking about trim at 40kn, though it'd be great for LOC or Defi Wind. You could do a similar think with a fin by having a retraction system where the fin would retract into the board if you wanted less fin.
Has anyone else had any ideas?

It would be easier if the fin rotated back to make it into a weedy & also decrease the length / depth giving better control when overpowered.
I was thinking about a hydraulic downhaul system that can be pumped up on either side of the boom with a handle like a bike hand-brake.

At the end of the day no-one really wants all the gadgets just simplicity

sailquik said..
My son gave me this one for Christmas:

vaavud.com

Works great on my Iphone and actually agrees with my old high quality German precision Anemometer (unlike many cheapies!).

I really like the two cup spinner that fits flat in your pocket.

What a great idea - I see the version 2 will give a wind direction too.

I've had an idea to easily adjust the position of your harness lines on the fly and it also spreads the load onto the boom rather than point load it where the lines attach. just an idea atm and it'll probably stay that way

sailquik said..

sausage said..

I've had an idea to easily adjust the position of your harness lines on the fly and it also spreads the load onto the boom rather than point load it where the lines attach. just an idea atm and it'll probably stay that way

I have got that one covered already! :

I use 'old fashioned' Velcro attached 'travel' lines, set them about 35cm apart to spread the load on my high tech Aluminium booms and have them just loose enough so I can easily adjust their position as I sail so I can be perfectly balanced and relaxed all the time.

Andrew,
What are 'old fashion' velcro travel lines? If I have my lines too loose they move all over the place up and down the boom from the constant jarring of sailing in the open ocean.

Could you post up a pic if you still use it?Some cool ideas so far!

sausage said..

sailquik said..
My son gave me this one for Christmas:

vaavud.com

Works great on my Iphone and actually agrees with my old high quality German precision Anemometer (unlike many cheapies!).

I really like the two cup spinner that fits flat in your pocket.

What a great idea - I see the version 2 will give a wind direction too.

I've had an idea to easily adjust the position of your harness lines on the fly and it also spreads the load onto the boom rather than point load it where the lines attach. just an idea atm and it'll probably stay that way

Vavuud is working really well and there is a discount right now. It is not at all a cheapie....there is a map of measure, max, mix, average. There is also Shaka, doing a good job. But the best is to share the conditions with others. Several web site proposes that and one is using the vavuud App, it's weendy. weendy.com. As soon as several people uses it, it starts to help... Otherwise ... No use....

MEGAMAX said..
http://afterguard.co/

Give it a few years for the trickle down effect and it could be a pretty cool gadget to have. all you need is some wind instrumentation on the top of your mast
if nothing else it would be cool to wear them and just feel like a fighter pilot

We want the same thing but with a bluetooth interface with the GT-31 (or successor) Genie to the heads up display. The wind instrumentation can be figured out later...

Oh, and of course it has come in under the price of a Macca's meal deal!

sailquik said..

legless said..

sailquik said..
Velco strap looped through stainless steel flat ring. I can get them just right so I can wiggle them along but they don't accidentally move too much.

They also have infinitely replaceable ropes and plastic tubes. None of the shops sell them now. I know why the shops didn't like them. People bought them once and used them forever!

They were called 'travel lines' because you could easily take them on and off the boom without having to take the boom apart.

Unifiber makes quick release harness lines ("Velco strap looped through stainless steel flat ring") www.unifiber.net/windsurf-gear/accessories/set-harness-lines-quick-22-inch-5825d0bd362e6615c44eb421 .... SWS has some stock

Almost, but not quite. A few companies do one like that, but the ones I am referring to do not have the lines (and tubes) sewn in. They go through a webbing loop and have a simple knot. When they wear or break you simply replace the rope or tube. One of the benefits of this is that you can use much better quality plastic tubing!

Yes I remember using ones like that when it was just rope then you just replaced the rope and kept using the webbing and Velcro around the boom. I guess the manufacturers want you to spend more each time you break a line. It would be good if they made a more durable line as I seem to break lots of lines. but there is no profit in making something that will last!

I reckon a board which changes width based on board speed would be cool. Need to make it our of nanotechnology and smart carbon.