A note about 'Tako' Wind (applicable to Trudeaux)

vs WWC Wind

 

'(This will be familiar at some level to those who have been around

SL sailing a while, but is given here for newer people and as it relates to

what Zephi does, and does not do).

 

'Tako' wind, or Kanker Wind,  refers to a wind system developed back
when the (Second) World was young, by Kanker Greenacre, and made
popular in the Tako dinghy.  It has survived as the 'wind system' in
Trudeau boats, WildWinds, and of course the Tako kit*.

Wind is specified by a prevailing direction and speed.   Eg  NNE, 19 knots. 
In addition, you specify 'shifts & gusts' which determine maxima for the amounts by which the wind direction &

speed will fluctuate momentarily.  (There's also parameter to say how quickly the wind fluctuates).

The fluctuations are calculated by a formula to give a similar feel to real world wind fluctuations (they are neither regular, nor strictly random).

WWC, by Mothgirl , introduced a number of innivations.   As well as waves and currents, the formula for calculating the momentary shifts and gusts was changed.   From what I can gather there was a concern some canny old salts could get a 'feel' for the wind pattern.  So the new formula, although of a similar class of function,  is more complex and takes longer to repeat**.

What does this mean?   Well, over time, two boats with the same set of wind parameters, but one using Tako wind and one using WWC, will have the same average wind speed and direction.   But at any particular instant, the fluctuation away from that average will be different.   In other words, if the wind setting includes 15 degree shifts and 5 knot gusts the difference between the two winds is up to +/- 30 degrees and 10 knots.   Not enough to have two boats on the same course on opposite tacks, but perhaps enough that one can make a mark and the other cant.   (And of course the WWC boat may be helped or hindered by the current, which the Tako boat won't).

Zephi does not replace either WWC or Tako wind calculations.   Rather, its an interface to the wind (etc) module (and a server to create the auto wind params).

* Burt's Tako Bullet has been updated to use WWC wind.  Confused yet?

** I have ommitted other areas of difference in the algorithm in the interest of simplicity.  They are not necessary to substantiate the point I am making.