Hi speedsters, yesterday I recorded a 32 knots peak on wave gear using a Garmin GPS 72 which I kept inside a camelback.

I'n not really 'in to' GPS speedsailing but Burrum Heads was firing yesterday so I decided to use the GPS which normally lives in my boat to see how fast I could go.

I don't have data cable for the Garmin but could easily buy one, I understand the track data can be downloaded.

Here's the specifications of this GPS for the tech heads, https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?pID=214#specsTab.

My question is how would the accuracy of my tracks stand up against the models of GPS you guys use for the GPS team challenge, would I be allowed to play too using my Garmin 72?




Just for interest the gear I was using was:
Board: 82L F2 Wave
Sail: 5.8 Ezzy Wave SE
Mast: 430 Ezzy Hoopika
Fin: 30cm JP Wave

Knotboard,
Good to see you've come to your senses and are wanting to join us speed sailors. Sorry I can't help you on the technical side Re: the Garmin. Someone will though.

Hardie,
That's #302 for the GTC

Unfortunately, this GPS falls into the least suitable category. It does not have the more accurate and consistent Doppler speed tracking so it can save trackpoints only like other Garmins. Worse still, it has 'auto' trackpoints which means it can not be set to record every one or two seconds but makes trackpoints when it's internal software programming says to. In this case it might not make on for 15 or 20 seconds which kinda makes it hard to record a good 10 seconds run and there are no intermediate trackpoints that help to validate the run.
If you are interested, you should get a GT-31 or a GT-11 at least. There may be a few new GT-11's still around (cheaper) or maybe someone who has upgraded to a GT-31 will sell you their GT-11 for a nice price.
The good news is that the display speed should actually be quite accurate for a peak speed.

Thanks sailquick, that just the type of info I was looking for. The Garmin 72 does what I need really well but looks like it's not going to be accurate for speed sailing.

Sorry Sausage, but Hardie can't sign me up for the competition yet. To be serious about it I would need to buy a board with much less rocker, some speedier sails, a fast fin and a GPS which all adds up ($$$).

I believe that I'm reaching the limits, at least in top speed terms, of the kit that I am currently using. As 'pork chop' said Saturday on, "are you sure that gps is showing knots not miles per hour because you shouldn't be able to go that fast on wave gear?. Anyway I still need to learn how to gybe

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knot board said...

Thanks sailquick, that just the type of info I was looking for. The Garmin 72 does what I need really well but looks like it's not going to be accurate for speed sailing.

Sorry Sausage, but Hardie can't sign me up for the competition yet. To be serious about it I would need to buy a board with much less rocker, some speedier sails, a fast fin and a GPS which all adds up ($$$).

I believe that I'm reaching the limits, at least in top speed terms, of the kit that I am currently using. As 'pork chop' said Saturday on, "are you sure that gps is showing knots not miles per hour because you shouldn't be able to go that fast on wave gear?. Anyway I still need to learn how to gybe

Knot board, you dont need all that fancy stuff to speed sail, Lao Shi from Pinnas has his top speed on a wave kit, over 35 knots
Grab a GT11 or GT31,
Most just use freeride sails. We would welcome you into the system, no problems, and your skills would improve with the six disciplines we run.
And learn how to gybe, the GT11 or GT31 are just brilliant for that, I know, as I am learning also and with the data downloaded each session, I can see how I went and what caused the slow gybes (when I crack one) and what gave me the good gybes.

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mineral1 said...


Knot board, you dont need all that fancy stuff to speed sail, Lao Shi from Pinnas has his top speed on a wave kit, over 35 knots

So true. Some sailors won't join the GPS Challenge because they think its only for serious "speed sailors". The way the challenge is setup its as serious as you want it to be. What the Challenge does encourge is enjoyment and if you want, improvement; as you measure your sailing and then can use the information as you see fit.

I'm not in a race with anyone when using my GPS and am quite happy to use it when I don't get over 20 knots in 10 to 12 knot winds with a big board and sail.

Wouldn't it be great to look back in 10 years time to see your sailing sessions back then? With a Navi, Real Speed and Google Earth we can do it.

Indeed - the GPSTC divisions were specifically designed so that freeride and wave gear could be used.

For example:
- the distance divisions have mostly been done on 6-7m sails, with reasonably big boards
- using wave gear and a nice wave, might give you the best alpha
- the fast NM distances have mostly been done on non-speed boards

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knot board said...


Sorry Sausage[/b], but Hardie can't sign me up for the competition yet. To be serious about it I would need to buy a board with much less rocker, some speedier sails, a fast fin and a GPS which all adds up ($$$).

I believe that I'm reaching the limits, at least in top speed terms, of the kit that I am currently using. As 'pork chop' said Saturday on, "are you sure that gps is showing knots not miles per hour because you shouldn't be able to go that fast on wave gear?. Anyway I still need to learn how to gybe

Just get a Navi and enjoy
When FNQ Mob kicked off it was just Troppo on wave gear and me on freeride gear, I only had one board, one sail and one fin then and we were having a ball trying to push poop uphill at the beach. So just do it, push yourself on whatever you have, have fun and enjoy the company of your mates

You guys are making some pretty compelling arguments to join the challenge.

But I'll have to do a bit of work on the home front first:

Darling I need to buy another GPS
What's wrong with the one you have?
It records auto track points.
So?
I need one that records 1 second track points
How much?
$300 for a GT-31 plus I'll need to buy an aqua Pac.
Good luck with that, you know I like diamonds.

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knot board said...

You guys are making some pretty compelling arguments to join the challenge.

But I'll have to do a bit of work on the home front first:

Darling I need to buy another GPS
What's wrong with the one you have?
It records auto track points.
So?
I need one that records 1 second track points
How much?
$300 for a GT-31 plus I'll need to buy an aqua Pac.
Good luck with that, you know I like diamonds.

wrong wrong wrong approach Knotty is it any wonder you don't get new gear

"It's safety issue dear, Gps is NOT for fun, or to measure speed, it's like a road map so when I go out to sea I can find my way back again to see you my darling."
suck suck

Guaranteed to work with boards, sails or any toys.

Knot a bored, that fellow up there with the dog on the back of his motor bike could sell you his for $50, but you would have to get rid of the cobwebs first.

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hooray said...

Knot a bored, that fellow up there with the dog on the back of his motor bike could sell you his for $50, but you would have to get rid of the cobwebs first.

I know he's old but I'm pretty sure he doesn't have cobwebs

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knot board said...

hooray said...

Knot a bored, that fellow up there with the dog on the back of his motor bike could sell you his for $50, but you would have to get rid of the cobwebs first.

I know he's old but I'm pretty sure he doesn't have cobwebs

thanx Knotty cheque's in the mail

Hooray when ya comin up again we need a 'Mobile Chicane'
or is that Gybe Mark

Hey ducati I don't pick on Hooray, he seems to have trouble getting it up lately