There is a long history of advancements in the grand prix section of the sport that trickle down to the recreational sailor. Some of these have aided everyone,while others have given the advancement to those with the resources.
We asked 2-time America's Cup winning navigator Peter Isler, who is leading a series of webinars in the use of the tactical and navigation software Expedition, and whether having this advanced technology on board is helping or hurting our sport?I approach from a one design background,and even nowadays most small boat classes execute not permit instruments and other technology to be used while racing. Instead of having target boat speed if - and programs that tell you how much longer you have to travel to the layline - you have to sail by feel to maximize performance.
It takes real skill to look at the sails and the waves ahead of you to stay in the groove, and also peering over your shoulder to accurately call the layline. There's nothing incorrect with sailing this way - and in fact - a lot of broad boat sailors who are surrounded by the latest instruments would benefit from turning everything off and sailing by feel instead."Digitalisis" can be a risky thing.
That said - on the boats where there are electronic instruments allowed - the addition of tactical and navigation software like Expedition can also have either favourable or deleterious effect on performance.
Used optimally, or the information available from the programs can be used to back the sailors make better decisions (still the human being should call the tack to the layline - not the computer). And that's a good thing.
But just like a hoisting a original sail,having original technology on board doesn't mean you will sail any better - you have to learn how to use it. With the plethora (excess, overabundance) of information that becomes available from the software - the real challenge is learning how and when to use it - to filter it so it helps your sailing.
When competing in anger, the last thing you want to be is like the person at the dinner table whose eyes are glued to the screen of their iphone. The best navigators/tacticians/sailors who use strategic software have learned how to filter the information so they can hold their heads "out of the boat" and not glued to the deck screen.
Is the use of onboard computers helping our sport grow? Are instruments better for sailing? Should we be using a sextant to navigate rather than a GPS? The answer is moot - for bigger boats that already use sailing instruments - that 'train left the station' a long time ago. - Read
Source: sailingscuttlebutt.com