by
Rick White
It all started when I turned 40 years old. The newspaper turned blurry unless I was in the sunlight � normal evening light bulbs just didn�t cut it. I was going blind. My visit to the eye doctor confirmed my close up vision was suffering. Yep, like millions and millions of other middle-agers, I needed reading glasses.
So what does that have to do with sailing? Have you ever tried to read one of those digital wrists watches with those tiny little mis-shaped numbers as you are approaching a starting line? Sure, we over-the-hill guys could wear reading glasses. But, hold on! This is a race � no place for reading glasses
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What we need is bigger numbers and something graphic that also display countdowns. Well, just like the Lone Ranger, Roy Rogers, Mighty Mouse and/or Superman our prayers were answered and we escaped the doom of bad starts.
Startmate is a brand-new starting device that really does the trick for the oldsters, and youngster as well. It is a countdown starting watch that starts to count up after the start.
I got one of these puppies just in time for our local Wednesday Night Beercan Races on Sunfish and quickly mounted it on the deck with some very good holding velcro that the manufacturer sent, just behind the daggerboard. There is a lanyard and it is very wise to secure it something on the boat (I later capsized and the velcro broke loose, but lanyard held it).
It worked great. It has been a long time since I have had any great starts using those tiny things, but I had some excellent starts with the Startmate.
Some Cool Stuff
First off it is waterproof and shockproof. It�s a good thing because I have already banged it around a lot and just sailed in the Key Largo Steeplechase � and that race was like having the entire Chicago Fire Department hosing me down from every direction. It survived!
The most important feature is that it has very LARGE LCD Display numbers. That means you can see it anywhere on the boat. On my cat I mount it on the main beam and near the mast. No matter what tack I am on it is very visible, even for me
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Another feature that many may like is the audio signal. Well, that doesn�t help me � as I have matured, my hearing has diminished somewhat at the pace that my eyesight has. Not to mention I was the lead singer in a country rock band for years and those cranked up amps blew out my high and low ends for hearing. They say it gives audio countdown signals, but I�ll never know.
After the start, the Startmate begins to count up. For all those Portsmouth Handicap sailors out there, you can now get your own time and, in that way, check up on the Race Committee.
It is operated by a lifetime battery. I am not sure who�s lifetime � the Startmate or mine. It wouldn�t be much of a guarantee, if it were my lifetime.
Setting and Using the Timer
You can set the countdown timer for various start sequences. For example, you can set the Startmate for 5 minutes or 10 minutes, if the race committee is using 5-minute sequences. Should the countdown sequence by in 3 minute intervals, you can set it for either 3 minutes or 6 minutes, whatever you want.
If there is general recall and the sailing instructions call for the clock continuing, then you could have a problem with your general recall start. What I usually do is set the Startmate at 30 minutes for a 10-minute start sequence. In that way, if there is a general recall, the clock keeps running. However, there goes your count up after the start.
In addition to the numbers counting down, there are also graphics that countdown. First, the minutes disappear on the bottom edge of the piece, and then, with one minute left to go, the seconds images on the right side of the piece disappear. All the while the beeping keeps your attention.
All in all this is great help in starting. Try it and you might just get better starts.