For rolling starts, count the number of fleets ahead of your start, and
multiply the start time accordingly. This procedure ensures you have
an automatic transition to the main page at the start.
Establishing the wind patterns
To establish the wind patterns, you will need to arrive in the starting
area early and spend time sailing up the first beat. During this time,
the Micro Compass should be in Tactics mode and you should:
Check the tack angle is correct for the conditions. If you find the wind
direction reads higher on starboard tack than on port tack, you should
reduce the tack angle and visa versa. To change the tack angle, press
the
set
key once, then use the
set
or
mode
key to adjust the flashing
“tack angle” up or down. After 5 seconds, the screen will automatically
revert to Tactics mode.
Watch the wind direction for some time, to establish its average value
and the size and frequency of changes.
Changing the resolution of the tactics scale
Trials have shown that the optimum resolution for the tactics display is
57. This allows sufficient resolution to detect meaningful wind shifts,
but eliminates the distraction of small errors in the tack angle.
The adjustment range is 17, 27, 57or 107. To change the resolution,
press AND HOLD the
set
key for 2 seconds, then use the
set
or
mode
key to adjust the flashing “resolution” up or down. After 5 seconds, the
screen will automatically revert to Tactics mode.
Establishing the line bias
With Micro Compass in heading mode, sail along the start line on
starboard tack, and note the bearing. Add 907and you have the
line
direction
. Now point the boat towards the wind, stopping the turn when
the Micro Compass shows a heading equal to the
line direction
. Now if
the wind is coming from the starboard side, the line is right biased, if
from the port side, it is left biased.
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