The Tacktick’ical revolution continues

by Al Constable on 3 Mar 2006 The Tacktick Micronet system has proved to be a huge winner with Australian and Asia Pacific pleasure boat owners and racing sailors.

The combination of wireless technology and the increasing use of solar power which started as a racing dinghy tool, now translates into the easiest and most economical installation, minimal maintenance and outstanding reliability for all kinds of boats including cruising yachts and powerboats of all sizes.

The Tacktick Micronet has become a marine instrument revolution. It started out with what was called a micro-compass, a digital compass in an enclosure, solar powered specifically as a tactical compass for dinghy sailing. There are still not legal under class rules in one hundred percent of all dinghy classes but slowly it is being allowed under more and more classes. It legal for the 49ers the 16 foot skiffs, the 470’s as of about 18 months ago. Pretty well all the major classes, Lasers haven’t adopted it yet nor the Optimists, but it will probably happen one day.

The Tacktick units weigh about half a kilo. Generally you put them on the mast, on a bracket or on Velcro. You use them to calculate your tacking angles and also lifts and knocks. On a serious racing dinghy they are a mandatory piece of equipment, replacing the fluid compasses that used to be there.

A year after their compasses hit the market Tacktick produced a bigger version of the same thing, with bigger displays because the bigger the boat, the better eyes you’ve got to have to see a small little display at the front of it. Next came some extra features in terms of predicting shifts, and a timer and one or two extra bits and pieces. Then they speed and depth to go with and this has now become a serious package for boats of all sizes.

Robin Kydd, Managing Director of Oceantalk, the Australian distributor of Tacktick technology, explains ‘Tacktick’s solar power is a complete break on the market. It’s a technology break, it’s a combination of a couple of things, and key amongst those is the engineering of the circuits to minimise power consumption.

‘Tacktick has been staying up to date with the latest in solar panels to get the most out of the batteries. They started in the dinghy style market and in the last two or so years, and this is where we have started to get involved, they have moved into the general yachting market and suddenly they can put instruments all over a yacht with no wires.

‘There is all sort of wireless technology on the general market, Bluetooth is probably the best know example, but they all use a lot of power.

The Tacktick system has three components which are pretty unique, solar power and wireless, engineering for the smallest possible power usage. The combination together makes a pretty unique product.

Already it is changing the way tacticians do things, you can have a digital display from the Micronet system on the rail with you, in your pocket.’

Now all of sudden the Tacktick system had a whole new virtue for powerboat owners and cruising keelboat sailors. No power and cabling issues to deal with and greater security. Boats left, on moorings or for extended periods in marina half way around the world are juicy pickings for thieves. Now cruising sailors could now lock away the instruments.

Now, the system is destined to become even more popular with this latest addition to the range: a three-in-one transducer with speed, depth and temperature functions.

The Triducer requires only one through-hull hole instead of the normal two. As a wireless system there are no cables to contend with (and racing sailors will appreciate that means none of the additional weight associated with cables too). Also, the Triducer can be supplied not only as a standard or flushing fitting unit but in bronze for those with a wooden vessel.

Just like the Micronet wind transmitter or GPS interface, Triducer data is sent to a Micronet display which, by virtue of being wireless, can be located anywhere on board.

If you go back to the sports boat we were talking about before it [the tri-ducer] puts speed and depth on that you’ve got to drill two holes.

The keen racing sailor says “oh, I’ve spent all weekend polishing the hull of my boat to go faster and now I’ve got to put holes in it” that is not very good. The tri-ducer is combination of the speed and depth and seawater temperature all in one and so there is only one hole in the hull, which means there is less drag, easier to fit and cheaper installation.

Kydd believes the Triducer is perfect for the local market: “Australians are known for their willingness to embrace new technology so it is not surprising that Tacktick’s wireless and solar powered equipment has found such a following here.

This new addition is so functional, affordable and fits so well into the Micronet system it is bound to be a great success. In fact, I think it will drive more people to make Micronet their system of choice.”

At just $352 inclusive of GST it really is a drop in the ocean for a very smart and robust piece of technology.

Oceantalk have a long history of marketing hi-tech marine electronics and their reputation for product knowledge and customer service is second to none. If you are looking for top technology for your boat, call Oceantalk on 02 9981 9500, fax 02 9981 9555, email sales@oceantalk.com or visit www.oceantalk.com