RACING ELITEMarine racing compass 103RE, 103PE and

103PE Tornado

1 Introduction

Thank you for choosing a Racing Elite compass. Racing Elite is a seriesof high quality compasses for sail racing including the unique offsetracing scale. Also cruisers who want to read the course from the rail willenjoy these compasses with their very clear scale, stable card andsimplicity of use.

The compass card has 3 scales with 3 lubberlines:1. Top scale 360°, read against the back central lubber line on

downwind.2. Starbord green 360° edge scale, offset 40° anti clockwise from top

scale, read against starbord lubber line on starboard tack.3. Port red 360° edge scale, which is offset 40° clockwise from top

scale, read against port lubber line or port tack.

The two front lubber lines are also offset 40°, from the central lubber line.

The offset edge scales and front lubberlines, allows the helmsman to read thecourse from the normal position in the boat,on the rail usually slightly aft and to thewindward side of the compass.

This makes it possible to read the coursefrom 3 positions in the boat!

Memory arrows:The green starboard arrow and red port arrow on the compass housing,are to remind you to tack from starboard bow if the course

decreases, and tack from port bow if the course increases.

The Olympic race course

This is how the Olympic course is usually sailed:

RACING ELITE gives you that winning advantage to usethe wind shifts to your best advantage!

2 How to sail in wind shifts with RACING ELITE

The most important use of the racing compass is for finding the righttimes to tack in the wind shifts on the windward legs of the race. Thetypical wind shift situations are described here. To become a successfulracing sailor, you should be thoroughly acquainted with these principles.

2.1 Oscillating shifts

The wind direction sometimes oscillates about an approximate meanvalue. While sailing upwind, these shifts seem to occur more frequentlyto a fast boat. When sailing in such oscillating shifts, you should alwaystack in order to be on the lifting tack. This will give you the straightestpossible course towards the windward mark.If the wind veers, tack to starboard to let the wind come in from that side.If the wind backs (swings to the left), you should let it come in from theleft by tacking to port.

Wind directiondegrees Starboard Port

000° 45°

345° 30°

000° 315° 45°

015° 330°

000° 315° 45°

345° 30°

000° 315°

In figure 3, the boat in the example has a tacking angle of 90° and theaverage wind direction is supposed to be 000°. The boat starts bybeating on port tack and is gradually lifted by the backing wind. But thenthe wind starts to veer and eventually passes the average wind direction.Believing that the wind will continue to veer, the helmsman tacks tostarboard as the average wind direction is passed. He then is lifted up to15° by the veering wind. Here the wind starts to back again. Whenpassing the average wind direction, the helmsman tacks to port. He isthen lifted on port tack until he reads 30°, he is then lifted 15°. Then thewind starts to veer again.

If the wind oscillates between 200 and 230 degrees, tack as the windgoes past 215 degrees. The corresponding reading on the scale is 180°on starboard and 230° on port tack. If you tack as soon as the windstarts to swing back from the extremes, you will find yourself headed onthe first part of the new tack. So small shifts that do not pass the meanvalue shouldn’t be tacked on. It is the average wind direction for thewhole leg that counts.

Rule of thumb: As reading goes above mean: Tack to port.

As it goes below mean: Tack to starboard.

However, small shifts that dopass the mean wind directionshouldn’t be neglectedalthough they might bedifficult to see. The differencebetween being headed orlifted while beating is almostone metre per degree windshift, per knot and minutesailed. This means that goingthe wrong way in a fivedegree shift while sailing at 5knots for one minute wouldbring you almost 20 metresbehind a boat that went theright way. It isn’t easy tomake up for such lossesby trying to sail faster.

190° 200° 210° 220° 230° 240°

215°

Tack:

Port

FINISH

Starborad

Wind

B

S

B

45°°

Windward mark°

45°

Start

tacking

reach

reach

Run

4

tackingtacking

reach

Figure 4

reach

Finishbeat

Wind direction

Boat A tacks right, boatB tacks wrong!

Windward leg

Wind direction

Starboard reach

Reachingmark

Port reach°

90°°

Leeward mark°

START°

1 2

Finish

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

B

A

230°

200°

215°

200°

215°

230°

Figure 5

3

103RE

Port

2.2 Permanent shifts

The wind sometimes shifts without returning to its original direction, atleast not for the remainder of the windward leg.

In this example, the wind isfirst oscillating at about 200degrees. A permanent shiftmakes it veer to 240 degreesand here the oscillationscontinue. Tactically, theoscillations could beneglected in a case like this.Changing tacks should onlybe considered when the winddirection goes past its meanvalue for the whole windwardleg.

It is often difficult to predictpermanent shifts. Sometimes they are caused by ”wind bends” over thecoast line or by channelling between islands. They could also be causedby clouds, the sea breeze coming in or appear for other, totallyunpredictable reasons. Shifts caused by topography should be sortedout from those within the wind so that you can anticipate what willhappen on the next windward leg.

Sail into the new wind when there is apermanent shift. If the wind veers, tack toport. You will be more and more headed.Then tack slightly before arriving at the layline. Now the veering wind will lift you up tothe mark (Boat A). Tacking the oppositeway does not pay off since you would loosemore while being headed on the secondtack than you could win by being lifted onthe first (Boat B).

Charts of wind shifts made by sailing meteorologists during races showthat the wind directions often change in very complex patterns.Oscillations are added to shifts caused by the coast line, clouds or thetendency of the sea breeze to veer with the sun during the day.

Other racing compasses have to be adjusted before the start to set theestimated mean wind direction. This can be difficult and as soon as thisdirection changes any substantial amount the compass needsreadjustment. It is an advantage if the variations of the wind directioncan be followed directly and conveniently while sailing. This gives abetter idea of how the wind is shifting and permits continuosreappraisal of the mean wind direction.

3 Mounting

All models are supplied with screws, mounting mouldings and templatesfor mounting where needed.

103RE (Art. No. 36303-0801): For horizontal mounting. Designed formount on dinghies like the Laser below the mast, and therefore has ahole for the cunningham or downhauls.

103PE (Art. No. 36305-0801): For vertical mounting on bulkhead or onmast.

103PE Tornado (Art. No. 36355-0801): To be mounted vertically andperpendicular to the boat to be read on both sides of the capsule. Onlytwo lubber lines. Supplied with two fronts.

4 Accessories

All above models have optional mounting brackets. These are helpful ifyou do not want to drill holes in your boat. Further with the brackets youcan more easily demount to avoid theft.

Art. No. Description69996 Mast bracket MC in aluminium for 103PE69993 Mast bracket Tornado for 103PE Tornado32535 Mounting mouldings for 103RE34482 Illumination 12V with visor for 103PE34479 Illumination 12V ”stick on” for all models34472 Compensator for all above models

5 Compensation

If the deviation is more than 5°, compensation is recommended. For thecompensation procedure, see the instructions supplied with the optionalcompensator.

Since magnetic conditions in a boat are liable to change, we recommendchecking the compass once a year, and always after installation ofequipment which might affect the compass.

6 Specifications

Capsule dimension: 100 mm (4”)Outer Dimensions: See drawing of each modelWeight: 103PE 600 g (21.2 oz)

103RE 730 g (25.7 oz)103PE Tornado 620 g (21.9 oz)

Graduation: Top scale every 5 ° markedEdge scales every 10° marked.

Heeling angle: Max. 30°Temperature range: Operation: -10° to 70° C (14° to 158° F)

Storage: -30° to 80° C (-22° to 176° F)

7 Maintenance

To clean the compass use mild soap solution only and a soft cloth.Do not use strong solvents, which may damage the plastic.When not in use we recommend that you demount the compass andstore it in room temperature.

8 Warranty

GENERALAll our products are designed and built to comply to the highest class industry standards. If theproducts are correctly installed, maintained and operated, as described in the installation andoperation manual, they will provide long and reliable service. Our international Network ofdistributors can provide you with the information and assistance you may require virtuallyanywhere in the world.

LIMITED WARRANTYThe warranty covers repair of defective parts due to faulty Manufacturing and includes labourwhen repaired in the country of purchase. The warranty period is 5 years, and commences fromthe date of purchase. The above warranty is the Manufacturer’s only warranty and no otherterms, expressed or implied, will apply. The Manufacturer specifically excludes the impliedwarranty of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose.

CONDITIONS• The receipt with proof of purchase date, must be shown to validate any warranty claim.

Claims are to be made in accordance with the claims procedure outlined below.• The warranty is non-transferrable and extends only to the original purchaser.• The warranty does not apply faulty installation or to conditions resulting from improper use,

external causes, including service or modifications not performed by the Manufacturer or byits national distributors, or operation outside the environmental parameters specified for theProduct.

• The Manufacturer will not compensate for consequential damage caused directly orindirectly by the malfunction of its equipment. The Manufacturer is not liable for anypersonal damage caused as a consequence of using its equipment.

• The Manufacturer, its national distributors or dealers are not liable for charges arising fromsea trials, installation surveys or visits to the boat to attend to the equipment, whetherunder warranty or not. The right is reserved to charge for such services at an appropriaterate.

• The Manufacturer reserves the right to replace any products returned for repair, within thewarranty period, with the nearest equivalent, if repair within a reasonable time period shouldnot be possible.

• The terms and conditions of the warranty as described do not affect your statutory rights.

CLAIMS PROCEDUREEquipment should be returned to the national distributor, or one of its appointed dealers, in thecountry where it was originally purchased. Valid claims will then be serviced and returned to thesender free of charge.

Alternatively, if the equipment is being used away from the country of purchase, it may bereturned to the national distributor, or one of its appointed dealers, in the country where it is beingused. In this case valid claims will cover parts only. Labour and return postage will be invoiced tothe sender at an appropriate rate.

DISCLAIMERCommon sense must be used at all times when navigating and the Manufacturer’s navigationequipment should only be considered as aids to navigation.The Manufacturers policy of continuous improvement may result in changes to productspecification without prior notice.

Copyright © and Manufucturer:Silva Sweden AB

Kuskvägen 4, 191 62 Sollentuna, SwedenTel: +46-(0)8 623 43 00. Fax+46-(0)8 92 76 01

www.silva.se

Edition: September 1998

115

100

128

1329340

150

7

190° 200° 210° 220° 230° 240°

PortStarboard

90° 100° 110° 120° 130° 140°

Sea breeze coming

Clouds

Clouds

0900

0930

1000

1030

1100

5 6

103PE Tornado

Mean value

Wind direction

Figure 6

200°

240°

A

B

Figure 7

103PE

Figure 8

Wind direction

8