Sure Path

lpskier

Has anyone set up Sure Path on an 8 ball course? If so, what finally worked?

C5Quest

Not yet. We are exploring that option for next season at our Avon, CT site...better known now as 8Von

lpskier

So it appears that all you need to do is map the outside exit gates, like mapping ZO on an 8 ball course. The program knows it’s an 8 ball due to the distance between exit gates.

C5Quest

Will pass that along. Not sure our timeline for implementation. We talked for next season sometime.

Jtim3032

@lpskier In boat lane tracking mode, Sure-Path only needs to know where the entrance gates are and a bearing to work out the centre line of the course. When the course is mapped, you are effectively marking two start points and a bearing between the two. Thus mapping the outside gates works... a lucky break really. I am pretty sure ZO does the same for an 8 buoy course. You can try for yourselves. In your back garden, map a course just 25' long, then walk up and down (first set the boat threshold speed to 0). It will show your deviation from a centre line quite happily.

jayski

@Jtim3032 so was this tested on boys leaving the pub after a football game for total path deviation on the walk home?

Jtim3032

@jayski haha...definitely a re-ride on many occasions like that!

lpskier

Mapped the exit gates on both ends and Sure Path worked like a charm.

FYI, we borrowed the system from @liquid d And intentionally left the base station set up at his house, five or six miles from LaPoint Ski Park. Still worked like a charm.

jjackkrash

Mine is sitting in a box waiting for spring. I can't wait to play with this.

lpskier

@jjackkrash Send it to me and I’ll break it in for you. I hear they work best after four months of steady use.

Laz

A few questions came up recently about Sure-Path or SkiPath. We are trying to decide if we should get the system for the upcoming season or hold off a bit.

I haven't had a chance to see it in action.

I have heard that a lot of tournament passes were ultimately disqualified because of driving issues and that something like Sure-Path might be the answer. However, it could a lot harder to get used to compare with the switch to ZeroOff.

So,

1) is it coming to tournaments? Is it inevitable?
2) will it mess drivers up (at least at first)?
3) should we start practicing with it (driving and skiing)?
4) Will the course path be called out like ZeroOff timings allowing for an immediate re-ride?
5) Will rules need to change?

jjackkrash

Sure Path doesn't drive the boat (at least not yet), it just measures and reports boat path. So it is not like ZeroOff in that respect.

lpskier

@Laz
1. Yes, it’s coming. It will be required equipment at R tournaments in the reasonably near future.
2. It won’t “mess up drivers.” It will show them exactly what they are doing, right or wrong.
3. It won’t hurt your skiing and it will improve your driving. Better driving facilitates good skiing.
4. Yes.
5. Maybe, maybe not. Rules to implement its use are being written now.

Chad_Scott

@Laz. It is coming to tournaments. There is a current proposal to make mandatory for a Class R event. Either way it is coming. It will not mess drivers up. Will only help drivers to improve. It is a great tool if you are serious about being a good driver. Instant feedback and tons to study and learn from after the event I don’t want to drive practice or ski without it. It answers lots of questions pretty quickly. There are current rule change proposals and yes it will immediately call for a re ride is some instances. I thing Ski Path and Sure Path are awesome. Actually fun to drive with

Laz

Thanks for the replies.

Technical question: I ski on a lake with three shared courses. Can one ground station be setup and then anyone who wants to use it install a receiver and cell phone in their boat?

Chad_Scott

Yes

Horton

@Laz
yes

klindy

@Laz or there may be a base station already close by that you can access and not even need one. The RTK technology really came into play with the proliferation of drones. So there is a whole network of base stations across the country. Some are free some are not.

Horton

@klindy I'm 99% sure that the system only works with a dedicated sure path base station

lpskier

@Laz Yes. You can use one base station for several courses. In fact, your state DOT may have a nearby GPS station. If they do, you might not need to buy a base station. You can tie into DOT and use them as your base. Then you only will need the boat rover and one phone. Get a $10 per month Redbug plan for the phone. Using a wifi hot spot on another phone is cheaper but more frustrating.

lpskier

@horton Incorrect.

klindy

@horton I’m 99% sure it’ll work fine with them. Jerry Jackson has tested them extensively in FL with RTK base stations 10-20 miles away.

The southern region will be forwarding a proposal to use a boat path monitoring system for all class R events starting this calendar year. With highly recommending using it for Class L and lower. The most common system is SurePath but others are acceptable.

Horton

@Jtim3032 can you clarify?

Chad_Scott

Actually @Horton the sure path will work with any RTK base station. Jerry has used one miles from his house. I believe scoke has found one near okeeheelee that will work for them

Horton

Ok. I have been wrong before.

Chad_Scott

In that case you can just purchase the rover if you have access to the base station. Base station Jerry used is like 12 miles from his lake. Pretty cool. I guess the only drawback is that you don’t have any access if it goes down for some reason

paul

Any update on whether there is a no cell service option?

Chad_Scott

Ski path works great where there is no cell service. Been working with them and Jerry. System works well utilizing radio signal from base station to the boat. Shoot me an email and I can get you some info. [email protected]

Laz

Wow. Really interesting. Thanks.

Laz

I found this list of RTK networks:

LEWIS
BRANDT
CANNET
TOPNET
SMARTNET

There is a SMARTNET station about 6km from my lake.

Will that work?

mmosley899

Anyone needing an antenna mount for their Sure Path, I have them available now...