Sailing watches

[Andrew Hannah]

My Casio Sea Pathfinder sailing watch is on the blink. It has given me good service for many years but it is probably obsolete by now.

I am looking for a dual purpose watch that doubles as a daily wristwatch and a sailing countdown. Any suggestions, with possible links please?

Thanks to all,

Andrew.

[a_dowley]

Do you want a sports watch or something a little smarter? Optimum Time have a great range of sailing watches available.

I expect the series 11 watch is similar to the casio - http://www.dinghy-rope.co.uk/chandlery/sailing-watches/

Optimum time also have their series 12 and series 16 if you want something a little smarter - http://www.optimumtime.co.uk/sailing_watch.php

Give me a shout if you want to buy one and we (Dinghy Rope) can source it for you.

Cheers
Andrew

[Kevin Parvin]

I've had a Casio Sea Pathfinder for years as my daily knocking about watch. Not rated it much on the boat as the countdown is difficult to use and adjust and there's no sync function. On the plus side I've only had to replace the battery once and was able to do this via H Samuel high street jewellers. The glass face must be made of something tough as it hasn't got a mark on it.

As for Optimum timers, I've had plenty of these over the years, reasonably priced, easy to set up and use during a race. But every one I've had has steamed up under the face (when using on the water). When it finally runs out of battery (which can be quite quick), getting a replacement is difficult, the above jeweller didn't want to know even after it was sent off to their 'specialist centre'. When I find someone to do the job the price quoted for a new battery isn't worth the expense, so I tend to bin them and get a new one each time.

I'd be interested to hear others experience with Optimum timers, and recommendations for new sailing watches as I also need one this season.

All I want in a sailing watch is an easy to read display, good countdown function and a sync button. Once a race has started I don't look at it much. Paying silly money for a timer that's getting soaked with sea water every week and taking the odd knock doesn't make much sense.

Kevin 1615

[Liam]

I think the Optimum Time watches are the easiest to use and as well as the sync button they have all the buttons on the front so you cannot press them accidentally.

But you have to treat them as a disposable item because they never last more than a few years.

Garmin Quatix are better for an everyday watch that also tells you how fast you have gone and allows you to download a track of your races. Will do lots of illegal things as well if you turn them on. The countdown is slightly over-engineered for Sprint 15 sailing so I usually use a Optimum Time watch for that.

[Bob Carter]

That's as may be but what worries me is













Who had the best cabbage?

[Andrew Hannah]

That's as may be but what worries me is

Who had the best cabbage?

I've made my purchase. Many thanks for everyone's recommendations.

Now Bob, I don't suppose you take the late Nick Dewhirst's favourite read (after his FT). In today's Daily Express, there is an article on curly kale which is the latest delicacy to grace supermarket shelves. Except that kale is said to be a most revolting vegetable. I'm sure your Grub Guru at Grafham won't be asking for it.

I grew ten plants of it this year because I could buy a packet of 400 seeds for just 80 pence. This means I have enough seed for 40 years. What a thought. It's hardly a delicacy: not even the pigeons would touch it. These birds have much finer tastes and will devour any broccoli that happens to be near. I'll probably win a prize if I put it in the horticultural show. Nobody else would grow the wretched stuff.

Some people say "You are what you eat". In that case, I'm a cabbage. No comment!