It is easy enough to record finish times automatically. The problem is recording which boat is which as they finish (i.e. sail numbers). I've tried doing this using a keypad, but in a busy finish I found it impossible to keep up. Using something like Apple Pencil might work better, but I don't have one to try.

Alternatively you can have a list of boats on the screen and tap each one as it finishes, but that only works if you don't have too many boats, and it is still difficult to keep up during a busy finish.

If you still want to go down this route then take a look at the following:

Worth a try.

AIUI there voice to text apps for Samsung phones that are very good.

You'd need some clever editing to cleanse the raw product.

I think it's very dependent on the size of fleets and the experience and class knowledge of the finishing team.

If you've got club fleets of 20 or so, where the finishing recorder is familiar with the boats, then point and click with all sail numbers on one screen will probably work.

For bigger fleets where all the sail numbers won't fit on the screen,or get cramped up, this doesn't work so well.

And very few software packages deal well with transposed, mistaken, or unregistered sail numbers.

That way if three boats came across the line within seconds of each other, you could press the space bar quickly 3 times, then have enough time to copy the finishing times correctly onto paper (you can usually remember the order of boats in your head, but not times).

At some time I will probably write a modern Windows version. 

I wouldn't discount the importance of writing thing down on paper though even if you can do things directly in software, that way you always have a backup copy if something goes wrong (like a sudden power cut, etc). There's nothing more irritating than having completed a race and someone loses or hasn't correctly recorded the times!

choose a channel to boradcast on and set to broadcast every 10 seconds (does require data), anyone can watch that knows the channel via motionx website, if competitors are closer than a few seconds checking back on the individual devices can sort any disputes after the race..  

ive had an idea for while now of using google hangouts, a couple of computers and people on ribs to get an americas cup type broadcast for our trophy races, were lucky the whole river is 3g/4g.

not sure it would be a major success ratings wise but more for an internal broadcast to the projector so that spectators get an idea of whats occurring.  it would be a fun experiment that just needs volunteers.

Have a look at the "RaceManager" system Starcross use. Fully automated. From electronic sign on, through starting the race with automated lights to posting results on their website within seconds of the race finishing. Brilliant.

Their program does ask you to click on a list of competitors but cleverly it works out approx who should be coming over the line next on a handicap basis so the list is ordered as you should roughly see the boats (within reason), rather than just being alphabetical.

They have a practice version on the internet for their OD's to swat up on before their duty here:

http://www.starcrossyc.org.uk/racing/apps/racemanager-demonstration-system" rel="nofollow - http://www.starcrossyc.org.uk/racing/apps/racemanager-demonstration-system

Where can we get one?

Race Manager will probably work best if you are prepared to run races the same way as Starcross, i.e. Have electronic signing on as you walk out of the changing room, race multiple laps and have race teams that are not scared of computers and who have invested the time in learning the system.

Anyone looked at Hoot?

I'm interested to know why you ditched the Starcross system, was it just  too complicated for duty RO's?

I can't find Hoot, There is Autohoot which is a simple start timer.

 

We do have someone who transcribes it all in to Sailwave though.

Ref. Race Manager; we ditched it but in fairness to RM I think that both our sailors and race teams were too set in their ways to adapt.  It works best if boats sign on to populate the database, we launch from two points in the harbour which meant signing on from home.  

We often sail single lap races (a lap can take over an hour) which means you might not have the chance to get the fleet into a running order.

The real driver was the ability to take handicap times, but our RO's struggled with the start up procedure, and recording the results.  We also had an issue with multiple entries of the same boat, different helms different crews ... unique to us because boats count for series not people!

Entering results in Sailwave is not too difficult, what is a pain is propergating the entry list before entering the results.

I resigned, a couple of months ahead of my 'term' after much aggravation which culminated in them voting down the option of a brand new facility with everything a club could wish for and extra boat spaces we badly need, all because of the actions of a few nimbys against the local development that would have facilitated it and a group of more socially oriented 'cheap beach hut on the seafront near to town' social members.  I've yet to rejoin this season and am still considering wether I'll bother at all, it's more tactical fun racing on the lake anyway.