There are "speedometers" you can get, too, that involve having an impeller in the water that feeds speed information to a read-out display on deck. Speedtech Instruments, which advertises in Catamaran Sailor, has one of these available. You can find their contact information by clicking on "Advertisers" in the index down the left side of the catsailor welcome page.

Rick has tried one out, and it works, but, as with GPS or any other device, it still will not account for fluctuations in wind speed.

So I guess we need a new invention that factors in the wind speed. Now there's a challenge! And then, of course, we need to factor in the ability of the helmsman to immediately adjust to wind shifts. Now there's an impossibility!

It's fun to watch the boat speed numbers go up and down, but then you are left scratching your head and wondering, "Was it something I did, or was it Mother Nature?"