Overview

On this page we overview the basic use of the program, sticking to the basics so you can see the flow from configuration, to race management anbd

 

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The Config Tab

The setup process involves the steps below and is normally only needed once. After that occasional edits may be necessary but they will be infrequent.

  • Number of starts: Select one or two. One start is generally for one class regattas. Two starts is generally for small boats first and large boats second separated by the 'Start Interval'.
  • Interval: The time in minutes between starts and the time to the first start.
  • Ollie Box: Provides choice between 'off', 'audio' and 'ble'.
  • Connect Horn: If using 'ble' then use this button to connect the app to the horn box.
  • Results format: The format of the results attached to the email. Defaults to CSV but JSON is also available.
  • Mail to: The email address to which the results will be sent.
  • Edit Races: A dropdown that allows you to delete races you no longer need stored by the app.
  • Edit Skippers: A dropdown that allows you to delete skippers whose name may be misspelt or are no longer members of the club.
  • Backup: Create files that permanently store the skippers and sanctioned fleets. (See this for more detail.)
  • Restore: Restore from backup skippers and sanctioned fleets.
  • Clear Boats: Delete all the boats (entrants) entered on the Race tab. (Use with care, cannot be undone)
  • About: Application rev level plus an address for app support.
  • Drift Detector: Uses GPS to measure the current position relative to an initial reference.
  • Sanctioned Fleets: The fleets supported by the club - see below.

Sanctioned Fleets

SRA contains a relational database that stores the Portsmouth handicap data for the various types of boat. This database is preloaded with about 1700 boats as defined in this document from US Sailing. (As an aside, you can add, subtract and edit these classes with the SRA Editor program that runs on Windows/MacOS).

To compose your club's sanctioned fleets (ie the boats you plan on racing) add a new fleet by typing the first few letters of the fleet name in the text box and then choose the wanted fleet from the dropdown. Before pressing the 'Add" button be sure to define which start that class belongs to in your club. For example a Sunfish, Laser type boat is typically assigned start 1, whereas a Flying Scot, Ensign would be start 2. The definition of the 'sanctioned fleets' serves two purposes:

  • To capture how your club assigns boats to the division 1 or division 2 starts.
  • To present a manageable list of boats types to skippers when they sign in to a race.
Notice how the fleets in division 1 are colored blue, and those in division 2 are colored yellow. If you should assign a fleet to wrong division in error, simply delete it using the red trash can and then re-enter.


Preparing for a race

The race screen with a few boats added is shown below. You can have as many boats as you like in a race, the screen will scroll vertically to allow access to all of them. Here is a review of the elements of the screen:

Start of Race Screen

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Elements of the race screen
  • Capt, Asst: Add the names of the race captain and assistant. First or first and last may be used. This is reported on the results
  • Wind: Enter the wind speed for the race. If wind changes during the race then add as many new measurements as needed. The app will compute the time weighted average wind speed in the calculation of the race result. The speed and the units (MPH, KPH, Knots) are both dropdowns.
  • Main control button: The button's text details what action will be taken if its pressed. The text and the color will both change as the race progresses. Currently it is green and showing "Start Race".
  • Status display: Next to the main control button is the Status Display. This details where in the race the app is.
  • Timer: This is displays the time into the race and is updated every second.
  • Add Boat: Pops up the "Add Boat" dialog that you can see on the right.
  • Horn: Generates a 'long blast' on the horn ( only if the 'audio' or 'ble' option has been selected for the OllieBox).

Add Boat Dialog

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Running a race

When using the app it is recommended that one person is seated with the app and the other is positioned looking along the finish line and calls out sail numbers in the usual way. The running of a race is best experienced watching a video. Things to note in the video:

  • Flow of the race: Watch how the text on the control button changes and gives you ways to interrupt the progress of the race if necessary
  • Sort Order:
    • Prior to 'All Boats Away' boats are sorted based upon their division.
    • After this point boats are sorted by their Portsmouth Yardstick so that the fastest boats are at the top of the list. This also has the side effect of grouping by class
  • Boats retiring: If a boat needs to retire or is for some reason disqualified watch how using that red button on each boat enables you to do that.
  • Finish button: Just tap the finish button as boats cross the finish line. If you make a mistake there is always the 'Undo' button..
  • General Recall: Although relatively rare a general recall is handled smoothly by the app and this includes the resetting and re-triggering of the Ollie Box. Its different depending on whether you have a one start race or a two start race. The video overviews both scenarios.

End of Race Screen

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