Race Marks |
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Riv ![]() Far too distracted from work ![]() Joined: 23 Nov 13 Location: South Devon Online Status: Offline Posts: 338 |
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I need some advice about race marks.
I'm setting courses in a tdal river where the springs can run at 3kts. River is 60ft deep in places at high springs. Despite 3 times the depth of line from anchor to mark often my marks sink. When I have more line often the boats get caught on it. I have Dan Buoys with 6ft telescopic flag poles on top. They sink because of the drag. Does anyone know of a better mark, or have any good ideas for how I can do it better? |
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PeterG ![]() Really should get out more ![]() Joined: 12 Jan 08 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 809 |
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If your marks are being sunk by the current, and are anything like a normal dan buoy then they're probably too small. Most people use things like these - http://www.crew-safe.co.uk/acatalog/Inflatable-Mark-Buoys.html?gclid=CMKenbjq_L8CFc3LtAodFHkA3Q for race marks (at least they do on tidal waters - not so sure what pond sailors use). Unfortunately they're not cheap!
3 times depth isn't a lot in strong currents - some chain near the bottom will help, and if using a big inflatable you will need weight to keep it upright. If you are having trouble with floating ropes fouling rudders etc put 3-4m of chain at the top - it will help keep it upright., and keep the rope away from the surface.
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Peter
Ex Cont 707 Ex Laser 189635 DY 59 |
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Riv ![]() Far too distracted from work ![]() Joined: 23 Nov 13 Location: South Devon Online Status: Offline Posts: 338 |
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Thanks,
we do not have space to store big marks so some sort of Dan buoy will have to do. Over the winter I'll get bigger ones and add chain below the mark. Thanks for the useful reply. |
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PeterG ![]() Really should get out more ![]() Joined: 12 Jan 08 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 809 |
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The big ones deflate, so they don't have to take up a lot of space - but they are a pain to blow up!
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Peter
Ex Cont 707 Ex Laser 189635 DY 59 |
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iGRF ![]() Really should get out more ![]() ![]() Joined: 07 Mar 11 Location: Hythe Online Status: Offline Posts: 6490 |
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We've converted our gear to chain, all the way down, and even that can drift on spring tides if the anchor doesn't hold, we've measured the depths of the outer and inner marks and increased the length appropriately but if the team laying the buoys selects the wrong colour bucket, we'll get a drifting mark. So important to have enough line.
We use small cylindrical yellow uprights on inshore and downwind but large fluro at out to sea & weather marks, we also have used those triangle shaped buoys that do seem to have good visibility but somehow they got shipped to Weymouth and we've not seen them since. |
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Riv ![]() Far too distracted from work ![]() Joined: 23 Nov 13 Location: South Devon Online Status: Offline Posts: 338 |
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It would be good to have a team to lay marks, however it's just me and someone to drive the boat,
so It's got to be light and easy to handle, how do you manage all that chain? The oil rig support vessels have a GPS system that allows them to hover in the same place with an accuracy of a couple of meters even in rough conditions........I have a vision! |
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iGRF ![]() Really should get out more ![]() ![]() Joined: 07 Mar 11 Location: Hythe Online Status: Offline Posts: 6490 |
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That's all we have, two man team individual buckets one set of tackle per bucket, they are a bit heavy, but lifted into the rescue boat one at a time. |
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didlydon ![]() Far too distracted from work ![]() ![]() Joined: 15 Oct 08 Location: Margate England Online Status: Offline Posts: 280 |
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MIND YOUR BACKS!! Seriously.... It's literally a pain sometimes hauling in the ground tackle on some of our marks which consist of inflatable type, old sash weights to hold it upright, rope, then chain down to the anchor... especially when the hook gets wedged in the rocks... It might be worth checking this out http://www.ewetsuits.com/acatalog/racing-marks-buoys-uk.html We've got one of these & its easy to handle. Good luck!
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Vareo 365
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Riv ![]() Far too distracted from work ![]() Joined: 23 Nov 13 Location: South Devon Online Status: Offline Posts: 338 |
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I've got money to buy new marks now, so the Lomo ones look good value. How much weight are you putting under them to keep them upright?
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gordon1277 ![]() Really should get out more ![]() Joined: 24 Mar 10 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 665 |
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We have something similar and use a standard bucket with a post mix in it about 1.5m below the surface.
make a rope or steel loop set into the concrete rather than rely on the bucket handle. |
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Gordon
Lossc |
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