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wrote:

are there any sailboat racing software programs that one can download
from the net for a trial period ? i have read a few reviews of racing
programs but they so expensive. i am looking for something thta can
easily be run off a laptop and indicates; lay lines, time to laylines,
wind shifts[if hooked to one's instrument package] secondly, what
cable connects from laptop to instrument package]
sincerely, a cruiser who wants to race faster. colin

I can't speak to the racing programs. I would look in a sailing
magazine for ads then go to their websites. Google helps a lot at
looking for things on the web.

Connecting a laptop to the instruments may not be as simple as a cable.
You may need to purchase a module for the computer connection and
that may be quite pricey. Check with the maker of the instruments.

If you want to be a better skipper try sailing with only a compass.
Feel the wind shifts, the changes in boat direction. Watch the other
boats, flags on land, puffs on the water, etc. I am not being a Zen
freak here. It is just that you can learn these things without all the
instruments. Then you can step up to using the instruments. Leaning
these will make you a better cruiser, too.

Tom
of the Swee****er Sea