John,
I dont think anybody suggested banning the use of GPS units for training or similar. But at a largish regatta it might be sensible to have a rule on GPS units and similar to make the competition be about sailing and skill. The tape idea came up becouse a couple of us would dearly like to see some GPS plots from the top boats at Mumbles GC'08. If we agree to race without GPS units, taping the display is just a way to not give anybody an advantage (which they dont need anyway, since they are in the top <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> ).