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Above Average GPS Windsurfing Year
by Mike Murphy – October, 2005
September, 2005 concluded 12 consecutive months of windsurfing with a GPS to
quantify an average year. A total of 130 days were logged with 95% (123 days)
supported by GPS data. All logged data is based on a 95L or less board and a
4.2-6.0 sail range. The past year was better than an average windsurfing year
based on frequency and although use of largest sail increased so did distance
and speed. The days sailed and sail usage from March, 2001 through September,
2005 and the past 12 month are shown below.
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past 4.5
years |
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past 12 months |
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Sail |
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Days
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Percent |
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Days
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Percent |
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4.2 |
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11
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2 % |
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1
|
1
% |
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4.7/4.8 |
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120 |
24 %
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20 |
15 %
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5.3/5.4 |
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154 |
31 % |
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40 |
31 % |
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6.0 |
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218 |
43 % |
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69 |
53
% |
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Totals |
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503 |
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130 |
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Use of larger sail is 10% higher during the last 12 months compared to overall
days sailed. To best quantify and establish an annual average for GPS mileage
and peak speed, 123 days sailed with a GPS is the basis for the other
observations summarized below.
A distance of at least 840 miles was sailed each calendar quarter with the
exception of the third quarter (April-June) which was double the mileage at 1640
miles. There were 5 months that logged less than 300 miles and 2 months that
averaged 600 miles each. The total 4280 miles logged equates to an average of
34.8 miles/day. Maximum peak speeds were also logged and show 10% of the time
the peak speed is less than 26 mph and 44% is over 30 mph. July, August,
September and October are the only months that had more than 50% of the days
sailed with peak speeds over 30 mph.
GPS log data quantified previously also represented an average year based on
frequency although it was completed in just 10 months. Including August and
September to compare 10 month (106 day) and 12 month (123 day) averages did
change the results. September was the fourth lowest month for distance (Dec
through Feb were lower) but both these flat water months contributed to an
increase in speed. Average peak speeds over 30 mph increased 3% and speeds less
than 25 mph decreased 1%.
Based on GPS data for 12 months, an average windsurfing year increased frequency
to 36%, the 6.0 sail usage increased to 53%, the average distance of 34.8
miles/day and average peak speed of 29.5 mph a day increased slightly. Calendar
year to date through mid October, 2005 is pushing toward a better than average
year. While October was a big disappointment compared to last year, there is
still hope during the next 60 days especially if it stays warm. Matching the
overall peak year frequency for days sailed will require sailing over 50% of the
remaining days of the year.
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