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Image credit - Vakaros

The term ‘sailing instrument’ is broadly applicable to just about any onboard system with a sensor and a readout. While wired instrument systems are common, in this blog we discuss portable GPS sailing instruments from Velocitek, Sailmon and Vakaros. Aimed at dinghies and small keelboats without a wired instrument package, these portable race computers have transformed the level of data available to sailors while training, sail racing and during post race analysis ashore. 
 

Image source - Stock images

A block and tackle or ‘purchase’ system is a form of mechanical advantage, where the input force is multiplied through a series of pulleys or blocks to create a much larger output force. Trying to understand how to achieve different purchase ratios might seem daunting to the uninitiated, but it’s quite straightforward once you know some basic principles. In this blog we will guide you through different purchase systems used on modern sailboats.