ProStart Lanyards

Posted on February 21, 2012 by Max

One of the most common requests we  receive from ProStart users is:  ”We want a lanyard!” Apparently, customers have been doing a bit too much of this:

And losing products into the drink.

We actually addressed this problem last November when we redesigned the ProStart backing to include a lanyard attachment point.

This was how it was before:

This is how it is now:

I assume that we’re receiving the requests from our customers who bought ProStarts before the update.

Luckily, if you are one of these customers,  there’s a couple of lanyard solutions to solve all your violent capsizing woes (besides purchasing an entirely new product.)

Mike Calkoen at Barton Marine in New Zealand came up with the following innovative solution:  ”I glued a dyneema lug onto my own Prostart using Sika 291 Black. It is very successful, did not require mixing an Epoxy and looks professional.”

Alternatively, you can purchase a glue-on leash attachment from the following store.

http://www.ofishl.co…soriesorder.htm

When you make the order, make sure you choose “Glue-On” from the “Leash Attachments” drop-down menu and not “Super Plug”.

Have you found an innovative way to attach a lanyard to your ProStart?  If so, feel free to share your idea in the Velocitek forums.

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Survey Results

Posted on February 17, 2012 by Max

Over the past three weeks we conducted a product evaluation survey.  We’d like to give a big thanks to the 680 people who completed the survey.  The honest feedback that we received will be invaluable for future product development.

Congrats to the 5 customers below!  They were randomly chosen from the field of survey respondents to receive a free ProStart.  We’d also like to thank them for graciously allowing us to publish their names to prove the raffle really happened.

  1. Jim Coleman, who will use his ProStart on his Sprint 15.
  2. Jack Roe, who will use his ProStart on his Rebel.
  3. Laurie Wood, who will use her SpeedPuck on her Laser (she requested a SpeedPuck in place of a ProStart.)
  4. Chris Johnson, who will use his ProStart on his 10′ racing hydroplane.
  5. Ralph Maggio, who will use his ProStart on his 22′ catamaran.

Also, congrats to the 50 people who filled out the survey first and received a free t-shirt, even to the gentleman whose final comment was “Nothin! I gotta finish this thing to win that t-shirt!”  Never hurts to be fast on the draw.       

Lastly, we received some pretty humorous responses throughout the survey.

Here are the highlights:

1.  This farmer is outstanding in his field:

“I love my SpeedPuck… sometimes I actually walk around out in our pasture and try to pick up wind shifts. I use it to pretend to tack on headers. The neighbors now have confirmed the notion that I’m Loony-Tunes. But, hey, they don’t have a Speedpuck. Who are they to judge? So what if I walk around with the cows for endless hours staring at my hands. (Speedpuck in hand mind you!)”

2.  Life’s ruff.

“I put my Speedpuck on my Rotweiller/Doberman  Sweet as Milk Mutt dog just to see where she went at night… wow, she covers some ground. Travels like I do after a long night out… but she does it every night. I don’t know how.”

 3.  Performance Sailing Tools!

 “Surely a great product. It helped me to calibrate and optimize my helming, as well as tuning the boat. My overall performances have tremendous improved. Velocitek and Viagra are great enhancers!!!”

4.  I’d also pick us over The King’s Speech

“Only V product i liked was ProStart– the others were bad, but i commend you for the break through product of the ProStart.. ease, value for money, help.. etc.. you should win an Oscar for best new product.”

5.  SpeedTough

“The Speedpuck I have is so tough it still worked after being crushed between my catamaran mast and the forward bar on the boat after a dismasting. Awesome product.”

6.  Flava Flav – a Velocitek customer?

 “Thinking of encasing my Speedpuck in gold and hang it around my neck,  looking for some functional “bling.”

“YAAA BOIII!!!”

6.  A potential Speed Read Challenge contestant

“Let’s see an iceboat video showing the speed! Must be over 60MPH”

I agree!  So far there have been no entries for the SRC, but I’m optimistic.  As the days count down to March 1st, your odds for winning a sweatshirt and a chance to win a ProStart only get better.  Heck, I would enter the contest myself, but I live in Hawaii. Conditions here are miserable…for ice-boating.

Anyways, if you’re interested in entering the contest, please click here for more information.

Posted in Awesome, Contests, ProStart, SpeedPuck, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

SpeedPuck news and the Crash of the Month

Posted on February 14, 2012 by Max

SpeedPuck News

  • Now, when you purchase a SpeedPuck a free mounting cradle is included in the box. These cradles, seen above, are compatible with all SpeedPucks, both new and old, provide a secure way to fix your device to your boat’s mast, and they make it easy to transfer the Puck from one boat to another.

Crash of the Month

  • The iceboater in the following video demonstrates how to go from 60 to 0 mph in under 2 seconds.
Posted in Awesome, Contests, Equipment, SpeedPuck, Vids | Leave a comment

Video of the Week: Top Gun, Jet Fighter Stuff

Posted on February 8, 2012 by Max

YouTube Preview Image

Team Nokia puts on an incredible display of boat-handling in winning an 18 ft skiff race in a heavy blow.  You also can’t beat the hilarious Aussie commentary.
Posted in Awesome, Equipment, Regattas, Vids | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

The Speed Read Challenge – Feb 2012 – Iceboats

Posted on February 6, 2012 by Max
Icesail

It’s February.  For most of us, the sailing season ended around four months ago. For ice-boaters, the season has just begun to hit its stride.

When the breeze fills in and the black ice forms, ice-boaters travel from across the country to the likes of Lake Winnebago for races at up to 60 mph.

It’s because of the potential for these high speeds that we’ve selected iceboats for the first ever Speed Read Challenge.

The Speed Read Challenge

The SRC is a monthly contest for Velocitek users everywhere. We choose the boat class, animal, or Radio Flyer wagon, then it’s up to you to go out and try to record the top speed with the chariot of choice.

The submitter of the video with the top speed of the month will win a Velocitek sweatshirt and will be entered into a 3 month contest to win their choice of a Velocitek ProStart or SpeedPuck.

Although the following video lacks an on-board Velocitek, it still serves as a great example for the quality of video that we’re looking for.

YouTube Preview Image

NOR

  • Now until February 29th.
  • Upload an iceboat video to YouTube, then send the link to max@velocitek.com. I’ll post the video on this blog for all to see.
  • Rules:  Your speed has to be recorded with a Velocitek device. The visual quality of the video (we highly recommend using a GoPro) has to be sufficient to view the Velocitek readout.  All classes of iceboats will be accepted, but outside assistance (car tows, a sled dog team, rockets ect.) is strictly prohibited.  Ties will be broken by comparing 1) the visual quality of the videos and 2) music choice (Linkin Park or Nickleback: automatic DQ).
  • On March 1st, the submitter of the  highest iceboat speed will be announced, will win a Velocitek sweatshirt and will be entered into a 3 month contest to win their choice of a Velocitek ProStart or SpeedPuck.

For those without access to either ice or an iceboat, there will be plenty of chances in the future on classes ranging from E-Scows to Optis.

As to fans of hard water, it’s time to show us what you can do!

Please send all video links to max@velocitek.com and thanks for participating!

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BloKarts!

Posted on February 2, 2012 by Max

Land sailing competition has grown significantly in the past decade, explained mostly by the invention and worldwide spread of BloKarts.

Compact,  simple to learn, super fast (up to 70 kph!), and most of all, fun, the OD BloKart has been embraced by sailing enthusiasts worldwide.  Many BloKart sailors have taken up Velocitek products to record their top speeds and to fine-tune their rigs.  

I was able to ask SpeedPuck user, South African Dave Davies, a few questions about the sport.  

What was the main draw for you to become a BloKart sailor, over a traditional, water-based boat?

  • I still sail water based yachts and occasionally still a sail board.  Blokarts are just sooooo much easier to rig / store etc. The amount of effort to go and have fun sailing is just less and easier. When travelling by car, I always have at least one kart in the boot of my car and I have been sailing on farm roads in the Free State, carparks in Port Elizabeth (and Cape Town and East London) etc.

Highest speed?

  • My highest speed recorded on a Velocitek SC1 is 59.8 kms /hr. I’m sure I’ve been faster, but had left my Velocitek at home as I though the wind was going to be light (silly me). 

Ever crashed?

  • Often. Last big crash was in Cape Town at the Muizenberg track. My cap blew off and jammed in the whip block.

How are traditional right of way rules handled by BloKart sailors? Starboard-port conflicts must be a bit different at 50 km/h.

  • Essentially, the same rules apply, but you have to be more aware and much quicker to take avoiding action. There is a lot of ‘thinking ahead’ involved.

How do you use your SpeedPuck to train / enhance your race performance?

  • I sail mostly on my own (lack of resident karts where I live) so I use the Velocitek to give me a speed reading. This allows me to try different things and to see the effect on my speed. The topography on the beach can affect the wind and once I get home, I download the track onto my laptop so that I can see what was going on.

Is Blokarting a handicapped friendly sport?

  • Blokarts are hand steered and once strapped in, you are restrained in the kart. When it capsizes, the mast prevents a full roll and provided you don’t try to stop the kart from going over by putting a hand out, you don’t come into contact with the ground. For handicapped people, Blokart have developed a special harness that holds the torso firmly in place.

What events are you preparing for?

Favorite one liner:

I’d like to sincerely thank Dave for his participation.  It’s because of land sailors like Dave, for whom speed is of utmost priority, that we’ve decided to sponsor the 2012 BloKart World Championships taking place this April in Ivanpah, Nevada.

The event promises to be exciting.  150 sailors from all around the world will compete for the title on the dry lake bed, which is renowned for its consistent breeze and smooth surface.

In fact, on March 26, 2009, the world land speed record for a wind-powered vehicle was set in Ivanpah by the Greenbird, clocked at 126.1 mph (202.9 km/h).

YouTube Preview Image

Although the BloKarts won’t be going quite that fast, several sailors will be using SpeedPucks to record their races.  In a few months time, look for an exciting, first ever land-based SpeedPlay replay here on The Speed Read.

Posted in Awesome, Boat Handling, Sailor Interviews, SpeedPuck, Story, Training, Vids | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Sailing Video of the Week: Tri-Foil

Posted on February 1, 2012 by Max

Multihulls are built on the principle: less surface area, more speed!  This trimaran kicks it up a notch by really reducing surface area with hydrofoils.  As shown by the on-board SpeedPuck, the boat smoothly glides along at 14 knots in only 8 knots of breeze.  Cool video, but I suggest muting the strange accompanying music and playing this instead.

Do you have a sailing video that you think would make a great video of the week?  If so, shoot an email to max@velocitek.com with the link.

Posted in Awesome, SpeedPuck, Vids | Leave a comment

2012 Sailing World Boat of the Year – the VX One

Posted on January 25, 2012 by Max

After putting 13 boats through their paces, Sailing World magazine has selected the VX One as their 2012 Boat of the Year.  As seen above, the judging committee used a ProStart to test how the boat performed in varying wind conditions, on different reaches, and with additional weight.

Some quotes from the article:

“Reaching, with only two of us in the boat, we easily hit speeds in the midteens.  Upwind with two people, the boat had a nice groove.”

“Setting up for a broad downwind angle, they hoisted the kite, and when it snapped full the boat set off… hitting low 20s with excellent balance and control.”

The ProStart also allowed the committee to measure how well the boat accelerated coming out of tacks and jibes.

“The rate of acceleration out of tacks and jibes is exhilarating with this boat.  And at high speed the boat flies like no other monohull I’ve sailed.”

Check out the video in the link below to see the boat really zoom:

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10150460820903092

Posted in Awesome, Boat Handling, Equipment, ProStart, Vids | Leave a comment

Pros using ProStarts – Bora Gulari

Posted on January 24, 2012 by Max

Yesterday, I was able to connect with recent 2012 Key West Melges 24 winner and former $1000 Velocitek Speed Challenge champ, Bora Gulari, and ask him a few questions about KW and how he used his ProStart to aide his performance.

How do you use your ProStart to enhance your race performance and training?Alternatively, what problems or challenges have you eliminated by using your ProStart?

  • First and most importantly is the start line function, after a little practice one can start in the middle of the line on the line every single time.  Gone are the days of mid-line sag, if you have a ProStart ;).  On the Moth I also use the GPS speed and heading function. It is very useful for upwind target speeds and keeping track of wind shifts.
  • One thing I have been able to cut down on is my between race routine.  With the ProStart I don’t have to dedicate so much time to getting multiple line sites and transits.

What was your max speed of the KW regatta?

  • 17.1 max peak

What was your best move of the KW regatta?

  • Perfect start in the first 5 races [which led to 5 bullets.]

Do you review your GPS data with software after the day’s races?

  • No not generally. I have used the software in training days but never during race days.  Once the racing is done I usually try to relax and get mentally ready for the following day.

You’ve quickly asserted yourself in the Melges 24 class as a formidable competitor with victories at Nationals and Key West. How has your extensive experience and knowledge of dinghies helped you achieve success?

  • I have actually been in the Melges 24 class for approximately 10 years, only recently did I buy a boat. But the Melges 24 has always been the class where the best sailors get to drive, rather than crew, for quite some time.  The Melges 24 is a big dinghy so it responds well to a good helm and a quick crew.

What’s one tip you can offer amateur sailors?

  • The Prostart is a very powerful tool.   Learn how to use it, then practice starts.  In no time you’ll get good starts, all the time.

Current plans, goals?

  • Campaign hard in preparation for the Melges 24 and Moth worlds this summer.

Favorite pre-race meal?

  • A cup of coffee and a bowl of cereal.

Favorite one liner?

  • “You have to lose before you can win.”

What was the most memorable crash / wipe out, of your career?

  • Happened just this year when I hit a shark in Biscayne Bay in Miami.  Luckily-through the power of Facebook, ex-Olympic sailor now ER doc Dave Woosley stitched me up in the mens room at the sailing site.

 

We’d like to sincerely thank Bora for his participation.  If you’re interested in more Bora insights, check out his blog at:  http://wetandreckless.blogspot.com/

Posted in Boat Handling, Pics, Sailor Interviews, Story, Tips | Leave a comment

Coming soon to a Melges 20 regatta near you: GPS

Posted on January 24, 2012 by Max

The International M20 Class Association just released a set of rule changes that are EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY.

Among the changes is this paragraph:

NEW RULE
C.5.2 Optional
(a) For Use:
(1) Electronic or mechanical timing devices
(2) Tactical and navigational instruments and their associated power sources.
REASON:
To allow for the use of GPS starting devices to help prevent general recalls, and
to help level the playing field further between boats that are sailing a lot and
boats that are not. The theory being that boats that are sailing a lot will have a
better natural feel for distance away from the line versus boats that are not. These
systems are now very easy to use and priced competitively.

Not surprisingly, the team here at Velocitek enthusiastically welcomes this change. We’re glad that a growing number of class authorities are realizing that the inclusion of affordable, easy to use GPS devices, facilitates races and enhances competition.

We hope that all sailboat classes adopt similiar rule changes.  After all, it is the 21st century. It’s time to embrace technology, not fear it.

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