FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Master Series

Q. Why do I need a Race Master tactical compass?
Your Tacktick compass has three primary functions:
To aid in the detection of wind shifts
To indicate the direction of the next mark
To help establish bias in the starting line

Establishing the mean wind direction
Launch in good time and allow at least half an hour to determine the mean wind direction, as there may be an oscillating wind-stream with a period of 30 minutes or more. Establish the wind direction by sailing close hauled and noting compass headings, then split the difference between the average port and starboard headings. Alternatively set your Tacktick into its wind-shift mode and keeping an eye on the accuracy of your set-up, adjusting as required until you are satisfied you have the mean direction. The more time you spend at this stage, the more accurately you will establish the size and frequency of the wind’s directional shifts.

Starting
The start line may not be set at exactly 90° to the mean wind direction. The crew who position their boat at the favoured end of the line will have an advantage. The digital precision of your Tacktick compass will help you to establish which end is favoured. Consult your user guide to understand how to work with your Tacktick at the start line. Note that a last minute wind shift may appear to favour one end of the line, but watch out! It may still be that the line is square to the mean wind and it will then pay you to start at the apparently unfavoured end, where the line will be less densely populated.

General hints on shifting winds
Discounting extreme meteorological conditions such as thunderstorms, there are four main types of windshift:
1. A periodic shift in an oscillating wind-stream. In this case, success depends on estimating the mean direction correctly, and it is usually best to sail on the lifted tack. Note that it is possible to sail through a small header and still be lifted in relation to the mean wind - at this point you will pass a crew who simply tack on headers. Shifts of this type are often experienced in a variable north-wester in UK and continental waters. Small cumulus clouds are a trade mark of this type of wind-stream.
2. A shift in the mean wind direction due to do changes in the overall pressure system. The weather forecast and weather maps may warn of this; which is why it is all important to be armed with an up-to-date local forecast before going afloat.
3. A ‘bent’wind due to shore effects.A Championship course is supposed to be laid well away from land, but if the wind is blowing diagonally offshore it nearly always pays to work a little way inshore early in the beat as the opportunity allows. Should it then become apparent that the inshore course is favoured, you are in a good position to take advantage of it. Beware of going in too far too soon, or against an oscillating shift.
4. Sea breeze.This may arrive as a reversal of the wind direction, or the wind may swing towards the direction of the sea breeze. Try to ascertain in advance what is the usual sea breeze direction. The basic requirement for a sea breeze is sunshine: as the land is heated the air above it rises, and the colder air is drawn in from the sea. A strong offshore component in the prevailing wind - usually about 15 knots - will nullify the sea breeze. There may be local signs to give a clue as to the arrival of a sea breeze - ask around, but a good rough guide is that for about 20 minutes before hand, the wind will slowly die. Once the sea breeze is filling in, don’t look for oscillating shifts. As it strengthens it will more closely approach is usual direction and later in the afternoon, the process will tend to reverse. The sea breeze will try to flow smoothly inshore and, being a rather shallow air movement will tend to flow around obstructions such as cliffs, rather than over them.

Using the shifts
The basic action required in an oscillating wind system is the opposite to that when meeting major weather system shifts, bent winds or when the sea breeze effect swings the wind-stream.
In the first case, it is necessary to tack on headers, in the other cases it is usually best to sail on further when headed: the further you sail the more the effect is likely to increase and the greater will be the benefit when you finally tack for the weather mark.

And understanding them
If you are working an oscillating system and one of the other types of shift appears - perhaps without warning - be prepared to cut your losses and sail across to the better side of the beat. If for example, you tack on a header and are then freed more and more, identifiably more than for previous shifts, then you should suspect this is happening. Serious winners are most likely to be those who appreciate the art of this subject, and react rapidly to it.

Q. What are The benefits of a Tacktick precision digital compass?
Tacktick compasses are precise, lightweight, and easy to read, so you can spend less time looking at the compass, and more time thinking through the tactics. They are also portable and straightforward to install, so you can take your Tacktick from boat to boat, and rapidly set up for tactical racing.

Q. I have managed to break the connections into the back of my Speedmaster cradle. Can I repair it?
The back of the cradle is sealed at manufacture to prevent water damage to the cable connected into the back of the cradle. It is recommended that the cradle is replaced if the cable becomes broken. In an emergency the individual wires may be soldered onto the back of the plug following the connection diagram.

Q. Can I reduce or increase the length of cable to my transducers?
It is not advisable to adjust the length of the cables but if you need to shorten the cables this is.

Q. How do I charge the battery in my Tacktick Race Master/Sail Master/Speed Master?
To achieve the best recharge time, you must place your instrument carefully with respect to the sunshine, making sure that the solar cell is perpendicular to the midday sun, and that the unit is placed outside. If you do not have a suitable outside location, then be sure that the indoor site chosen has DIRECT BRIGHT sunshine, for at least 10 hours of the day.Battery hours indicated at power up is affected by temperature!
Ensure solar cell is at right angles to the midday sun. In the UK, for example, set the unit so the solar cell faces due south and is tilted upwards at 45 degrees
Urgent charging for a weekend race Even in cloudy weather, if you position the solar cell as above for 5 days, then you should achieve enough charge to complete a weekends racing.

Q. Will my class allow the Tacktick products?
Please see our web site list of Classes for the latest on your class.

Q. My Racemaster/ Sailmaster is not giving me correct readings?
Is the compass mounted in a clean area i.e. no other magnetic items. (A glass ball compass, any steel, instruments with dials etc.)
Carry out the compass calibration routine in the calibration to ensure that any magnetic influence is compensated for.

Q. Can I set a depth offset for the keel?
Yes the calibration mode will enable you to adjust the depth offset.
For full information see:
Speedmaster Userguide
Sailmaster Userguide

Q. Can I mount the depth transducer in hull?
Yes the depth transducer can be mounted in or through hull. For further information on Depth Transducer installation see the User Guides:

Q. I keep seeing erratic depth readings, what can I try?
If you think you might be suffering from reflections off the keel bulb, change the offset to -2.0 in calibration.
Check the installation of the transducer. Is the surface clean? If mounted inside the hull, is the mounting correct and in good order. For further information on Depth Transducer installation see the User Guides:
Through Hull
In Hull

Q. What happens if my instrument will not stay on?
Most Tacktick Instruments have a battery level indicator, this shows how many hours of use your instrument has with no sun light. If when you turn the instrument on the battery level is low you need to charge your batteries see FAQ charging my instrument.
Alternatively if the unit is not connected to transducers or is not moving it will auto shut down. This will not happen at sea.

Q. I have a new Tacktick (Sailmaster) installed on my J/27, and have been very pleased with it's performance. The speed transducer is located about 4" to one side of the centerline of the boat, and I find readings consistently about .5 kn lower on one tack than the other. My rig is in perfect tune, is dead plumb, and perpendicular to the deck. I cannot fathom why the readings are different for each tack.
This is almost certainly due to the 4" offset (the 4" offset puts the sensor at a different vertical height on each tack, and the flow acceleration under the hull varies with height, hence the problem.) and is a common problem with speed transducers when they are not mounted on centre (sometimes you can't mount them on centre due to structural issues like stringers). The time honoured "solution" is to experiment with rotating the paddle housing either clockwise or counterclockwise by around 10 to 20 degrees. By doing this, you correct the 4" asymetry with the rotational asymetry.

Q. Can I use the unit for navigation?
The Master Series instruments can be used for navigation if the compass is swung in set up mode to compensate for deviation.

Q. Will my Tacktick work at night?
Yes it has battery back up that is recharged from the solar system. It is best to ensure the unit is fully charged if you know that a nightime passage is happening. It is also better to limit the use of the backlighting as this will reduce the total operating time before a charge is required.

Q. Can the Sail Master and Speed Master be used with other transducers?
Yes they are compatible with the majority of existing transducers. If you look at the cable it should say Airmar along it and this confirms that it is the same and can be used.
IF IN DOUBT CHECK COMPATIBILITY
More information available from Airmar

Q. My Depth reading is blank?
The bar graph goes blank when the Sail Master cannot detect a transducer connection. Check the transducer wiring and connections.

Q. My Speed reads low or reads Zero?
First remove the paddle-wheel and fit the bung. Check for weed and clean if required. If the reading is still low, refer to the calibration section (in the user guide) and follow the procedure for speed calibration.

Q. My unit rattles or sounds as if it has water inside it?
The fluxgate compass fitted to the Race Master and Sail Master is filled with oil and makes this noise.

Q. Can my Tacktick be used in the southern hemisphere?
Yes, there is no set up required.

Q. Is my Tacktick waterproof ?
Yes, all Tacktick products are waterproof. Submersible to 10 Metres.

Q. What happens if my Tacktick won't turn on?
Your Instrument probably needs charging, place the instrument in bright sunlight on a window sill.
Bright Sun 2 Days
Cloudy Days 5 Days
Dull Days 10 Days
It is not possible to recharge batteries with electric lighting – sunlight must be used

Q. What do I do if my Tacktick is broken?
If you have either returned the warranty slip or have proof of purchase the units are guaranteed for two years. Return the unit to your nearest stockist or directly to Tacktick in the UK.
Outside of the warranty period a charge will be made for service which varies depending on the age of the unit. As all Tacktick products are sealed they are not repaired but are replaced with new. Benefits to the end user of using this system is that all failures are dealt with quickly and that customers receive up to date instruments with a new warranty.

Q. Where do I mount my transducers?
We do not recommend locations or methods for installations however most boats find that in front of the keel by at least 400mm and as close to the centre line works well. The depth transducer can be mounted in hull or through hull but you will find for best performance through hull is required. Do not mount the depth transducer directly behind the speed transducer as turbulence caused by the paddle wheel may effect depth performance.

Q. Where can I buy my Tacktick Products?
Tacktick has distributors around the world so most good Chandlers / Retailers should hold stock. Please take a look at our web site Where to Buy section to see who is our distributor and dealers in your country.

Q. Which oil do I use in my in hull depth transducer?
Castor oil which can be found at most chemists is appropriate and is probably the cleanest and least smelly option.