Sure you could mount it out there, you just can't read it from the tramp! The biggest problem I have with all these little hand-held GPS units is the screen size is so small, you have to hold it in your hand to read it. I like the bigger numbers and screen size of the Tic Tac stuff. I wish I could tie my GPS into that.

The numbers on the Velocitek display are bigger than the Tac Tic. I'll have to take a photo for you but you could read it easily from the spin pole. Heck, you can read this thing from another boat. I was just wondering if there would be too much going on up there that it would foul lines etc. Come to think of it though, thats where the N-20 (I-20) guys mount their Tac Tics. Photo coming if I can get motivated. Ed

I mount my Garmin GPS V on the boom with a swivel...then I use a labor-saving device called a "crew" to flip it during tacks/gybes.

I can read the gps display from the trap no prob.

I like the Velocitek system...they seem to have their stuff together. But it cannot take waypoints and so I'd still need to have the garmin for distance racing.

There is a third choice, the Sail Nauteek SC200 unit lloks like it might have it all.
SC200

Tornado,

I am right to think that the GPS V is not waterproof?
Could you post a picture of how you mount it?

Gill

That's correct...the V is rated waterproof but real world experiments say otherwise. Having a III+ model (same form factor as the V) on the boom for many seasons, it only got heavy spray which is handled fine. A capsize to turtle ended it's life. Garmin has a flat rate re-furb fee of $125. Ebay had the V for $180 as a refurb. Insurance was covering it so went with the V.

Don't have any photos of the mount handy. But, I used a standard Garmin handle-bar bracket that clips & screws into the unit. I drilled a hole through the wedge-shaped section of the bracket to accept a quick-pin. Then I made up an articulated bracket out of a few bits of stainless flat. One end of this fits over a vertical screw I've mounted to the top of the boom. A wingnut holds the bracket down and allows horizontal rotation. The gps end forms a fork over the wedge section of the garmin bracket. The quick pin passes through the forks with the wedge inside.

From the trap (gunwale is ~5' off centerline on the T) I can easily glance at the gps for a heading (typically I display the big compass pointer when distance racing) and speed (or distance to mark etc) reading without losing concentration on my helming duties.

Only used the GPS a few times on a catamaran when I lost my start watch (used the timer function for racing), but got 16,4 knots downwind with kite up in 13knots of wind. Use it mostly for windsurfing, 31,24knots in 23knots of wind. It`s too embarrassing to pretend catamarans are fast <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> which is why I seldom use it on the cat..
I think I`ll use it more often now, see if I can get the boat over 20knots, which would be quite a feat.
And Rolf, you can download your track, and delete all spikes to get a fairly accurate reading. We use the average of our 5 best 10sec runs as a good indication, after deleting spikes. My biggest spike has been just over 100km/h (54knots), then back to 0 very quickly.. After that wipeout I started saving for an impact vest and helmet.

I clocked 26.7 knots in 24 knots winds (gusts) on a thin beach strip that was only 10 to 15 meters wide, about 200 meters long and crowded with walkers (who run the smoothness of the strip and cut my speed).

That was while sailing my slowest landyacht (= toy really).

Soon I will try to better that.

Wouter

I clocked 37.8 knots today in maybe 15 knots of wind (gusts) while sailing DN, first time on board (I even capsized once <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />). More experienced DN sailor hit 42.5 knots to my GPS in short run.

On water 20 knots feels lot more than on top of ice, at least I didn't feel the speed unless I was watching shore, over 30 knots was scary at first though <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />.