New version of Deckman for Windows released

Over the winter, significant development work has been in progress on DfW and version 7 of the software is now available. The new version has major upgrades to the facilities for storage, extraction and analysis of data.

Previously DfW stored a data record for use with the time series plots once every 12 seconds (averaged) to give a maximum of about 12 hours of data. DfW now stores the same records every second in a data store that maintains 168 hours (1 week) of data, and also stores a record (averaged) every minute in a data store that maintains 1 year of continuous data. For most users, this means that it is possible to store detailed performance information for a whole regatta for later analysis; for offshore racing you can look back at your race up to a year later.

In association with the new data stores there is a database for boat information which allows you to keep track of how the boat is being sailed at any particular time. For example, you can record what sail combination you are using, who is helming, or the position of the jib car. Definition of parameters is entirely up to the user and so you can have a system dedicated to the way your boat is sailed. Notes can be added when interesting events occur. In addition you can run speed tests of different sail or boat configurations: data from these tests can then be analysed using the new Speed Test feature, or can be extracted for use in another program such as Microsoft Excel.

In the Speed Test display you make a comparison of pairs of speed tests: DfW will do all the background statistical work and present graphs to help with the interpretation. You can do either straight boat speed analysis, or look at either VMG or VMC, and for each you can alter the wind angle or wind speed at which the analysis is taking place and DfW will adjust the data accordingly.

23rd February 2004