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Posted by glynnwi ![]() |
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this is what its about for me.well said phillip
Why? Well, to gain an advantage by automation, of course. Basically the exact opposite of what Eddie was doing. Yet not a single post of how unfair that would be. And I am not so sure there aren't already people doing precisely that. its game as far as i'm concerned. i've learn't more following the likes of brainaid winston rafa than in two years of reading books on weather pattern plans. in fact all the leaders, to try to understand why that move worked. i could not care less if they have the knowledge to build a program that works for them,as someone else said brainaid should not feel he has to put his system out for everyone to use. you should all get a life, life is just a game, and this game is the one i choose to use at the moment. |
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Posted by glynnwi ![]() |
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didn't too far back nick says it all here
Well each to his / her own, and I mean that sincerely. A couple of months ago I made the decision to not use any software outside of SOL- though I wasn't above a bit of advice (thanks Pete!)For me, it is simply more fun than using a router. This means in the current environment I have almost no chance of making a top 50 finish and have to be extremely on my game to make a top 100. But you know what? that's fine with me. It seems like I'm competing in a different "cruising" class and if I can catch a few hotshots- so much the better. Sol is one of the coolest, BEST MANNERED, environments on the net and I would caution about fragmenting it with different and ultimately unenforcable divisions. Yes, it's a competetive world out there (and in here) but I think we can all choose how we compete. For me it's personal best using the rules I generated for myself. My 2 bits worth. Nick Thornton Blue Magic |
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Posted by jakob ![]() |
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wow ...one of the guys behind the game... |
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Posted by BER_Baggus ![]() |
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Only just spotted this thread - like my sailing, I'm so far beinnd.....
I have been quite vocal about the use of "exterior" software, I believe this game should be all about one's own brain power, and nothing else. I think what does it for me is that when Brain is sailing, every dog and it's mother follow him, because you know that even though you won't beat him, you'll pretty much be going the right direction. Take the recent races where he hasn't entered, the fleet is spread out like marmite on toast. For me, that makes it so much more fascinating. Take the current Tripoli race - I've gone out on a limb as I believe that's the correct tactic. Had Brain entered and gone in the other direction, that's where I would have gone, but without knowing why. That said......I'll be doing the Newport Bermuda race again this year, but this time I'll be so much more aware of navigation as opposed to trimming. So....Eddie - got any plans for next June? |
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Posted by Flaxie ![]() |
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Time to add a few comments of my own too...
I agree with Baggus about it being a game and testing one's own brain power. I came to SOL with a long background of mountain navigation which has at times to be quite critical; now the sailing on here is critical to wind (and of course the finish!) and I have thoroughly enjoyed the intellectual challenge. I've been pleased with the results and circumstances allowing will race more in the future but always without any additional tools. So that is the intellectual challenge dealt with, what about the competitive. Well I revel in that too (having just pipped Salmon by 8 seconds within the last 15mins of the Miami - Kingstown race). However, I really think we need to find a way of competing in different classes such as for those using additional software and those just using their brains and I know I write on behalf of a good number of other SOLers. So did I finish 59th or 20something on brain power alone? Its a great game and keep improving the racing without bringing in anymore the tools. In fact a race without the 6h projection would also be interesting! Thanks SOL Steve |
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Posted by Eddie C. Dost ![]() |
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<end of quote>(Note to webmaster: Quotes should be destinguishable from reply text better...)
No yet, hehe. Sounds very interesting. --- Last Edited by Eddie C. Dost at 2009-12-07 11:21:21 --- _/)_/)_/)
The sea is lovely, dark, and deep, But I have promises to keep, And miles to sail before I sleep, And miles to sail before I sleep. |
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Posted by Schakel ![]() |
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While I understand and agree with that thought, I foresee several problems with a class system based on what you call "additional software". First, you have to define exactly what "additional software" is. Obviously, a commercial product like Sailplanner would fall into that category, but why shouldn't Excel or any homegrown VMC calculator be considered "additional software" as well? Second, such a class system would heavily rely on the players' honesty and with exceptional performances there would always be room for doubt. Third, non-router classed players could monitor and follow known users of routing software, so it is no real solution to the problem.
I think the solution is several classes based on users' past performances with different polars for each class. Similar to the Le Mans car race, several classes (LMP1, LMP2, GT1, GT2) competing in a single race with winners in each class and an overall winner. Basically, give the best ranked players really fast (or really slow boats) and let them fight it out amongst themselves. There would be rankings for each class with rules for promotion/relegation to a different class. There could be extra races for single classes so bonus points could be earned. And perhaps I'm oversimplifying, but the SOL engine has the capability to handle separate polars, but the website needs to be overhauled to reflect rankings for each class and to assign the appropriate polars to each member of each class. Another suggestion: stealth starts. No tracks or other boats until, say, six hours into the race. My final 2c. Philip |
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Posted by Flaxie ![]() |
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I never said it was going to be easy to work classes and I think most problems have been mentioned in chat previously. However, yours is an interesting concept with different boats / polars for classes based on performance. 76T and I were chatting about pursuit races the other day where the fast boats on performance sail from behind on archived weather and theoretically all boats cross the finish line together!
Better still in standard races it would be to only see 'line of sight' boats in the immediate circle around you. Still might need a stealth start for the first 6h though! Having said that, it would not help you learn to navigate better and at present looking at the fleet really helps you learn why you are not so good, other boats are worse and yet others better. |
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Posted by Antonio (Tuze1) ![]() |
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A few observations on my first anniversary of SOL.
I’ve made good online friends here. (Thanks to the Chat Room) – Great feature. I’ve learned a great deal of sailing navigation and geography. The reason for me learning so much is in first place the design of the game, the polars, the wind arrows and the weather slide. But also the ability to see every other boat and their tracks. To me SOL is not a game but a learning tool, a sailing simulation. I bet we are all winners here. I have a feeling that anyone who dedicates time to SOL will became better tacticians in real life. I have no problem in seeing people using router software to get there faster. I certainly would if I had the time and the skills to write software. At the moment I learn by observation. Please, do not hide the tracks and the other boats. Hide the boats and tracks would diminish the learning tool aspect of SOL. I’ve been thinking about the software use or not use for the past months and my conclusion is to stagger very short races with long races. I don’t think outside router software is effective in short races specially the ones with lots of islands and SLI. (Don’t you like those? ![]() So, having a mix of short and long races we are going to satisfy both camps, software users and non-users, if that is at all possible. Either way, please do not let SOL turn into another video game where luck is a bigger factor. Thanks, Antonio Ferrer (Tuze1) |
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Posted by jakob ![]() |
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Wow ![]() ![]() ...one of the guys behind the game... |
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Garagiste's Test Lab

Race #1939
INFOby brainaid.de
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Patricks Test

Race #1932
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Joanne's Test Race Zone
Race #1847
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Marstrand to Cowes 2025

We invite you to another race, which will kick off the third quarter of our ARCH series. We'll set off from Marstrand, Sweden, which, along with Skagen, Denmark, marks the line commonly recognised as the border separating the Baltic Sea from the North Sea. The 650nm route will take our Ripitide 50 across the North Sea and the English Channel to Cowes, England. Watch out for the fast ferries crossing the Channel from Calais to Dover 😊.
Race #1935
INFO from brainaid.de
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Nantucket Sprint 2025

Welcome to Nantucket, from whence Herman Melville’s Cap’n Ahab sailed round The Horn into the northern Pacific Ocean to hunt the gray whale - whose migrations are celebrated elsewhere in SOL’s Q4 schedule - he never to return. And whaling too, as the 19th C progressed, like Ahab disappeared from Nantucket as the harbour silted up and mainland Massachusetts whaling stations benefited from rail connections. But beach life, yachting and nostalgia has rescued the island from oblivion, so to celebrate leisure, SOL gives you the Nantucket Sprint - 25nm in 29er_XX’s from east of Tuckernuck Island across the sound to a finish just inside the mouth of the harbour. Enjoy!
Race 1936
INFO by brainaid.de
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Puil's Practice Palaver
Nearly there; only 2500nm to go, round the Horn and up the Red Sea to Suez into what will more than likely be more headwinds for this sixth leg of our African circumnavigation, to be followed in September by a final sneaky dash up the canal back to where we started all those months ago. We’ll be sailing a not entirely appropriate-for-upwind-work 60ft Trimaran!
Race #1859
INFOby brainaid.de
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Gulf of St Lawrence - test - Mirek
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Race starts: Apr 21st 17:00
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Stefan's Duck Pond

PRIZE: SMPF
Race #1900
INFO by brainaid.de
Orange 125 PARTICULARS
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Trapped Camel
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Race starts: Aug 21st 15:03
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Caravanserai
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Race starts: Aug 08th 17:00
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Patrick's Playpen

Welcome to the legendary "Westcoaster," a race that has tested sailors for over 50 years. Spanning 435 nautical miles, this iconic journey takes racers from Melbourne, across the formidable Bass Strait, and around Tasmania's rugged west coast to the finish line in Hobart. Organized by the Ocean Racing Club of Victoria, the Westcoaster is renowned for its challenging conditions and adventurous spirit. This year, our SOLers will tackle the course in the swift and capable First 47.7, a yacht launched by Beneteau in 2000, built for speed and endurance in long ocean races. Get ready for an exhilarating ride in one of Australia’s most celebrated yacht races!
Race #1841
INFO by brainaid.de
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Mirek's Mess & Canteen
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Race starts: Apr 26th 18:00
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Antarctica 1 of 3
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Race starts: Jan 27th 21:57
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Flinders Island TIMED Race 2024

Race #1776
INFO by brainaid.de
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Tasman Double 2023 - Hobart to Sydney
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Race starts: Jan 02nd 02:00
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John's Test Zone
It's time to test your ocean racing skills in a variety of weathers as we head the 6400 NM between Hong Kong and Auckland in a fast Super Maxi 100. We'll be heading from a northern summer to a southern winter so keep plenty of cold weather gear and warm rum on board!
PRIZE: SMPF
Race #1597
INFOby brainaid.de
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calm's Practice Race
Last raced in 2021, we return to Boston for another race to Newport. And just like in 2021, the chosen boat is once again the speedy R/P 66. This is a TIMED race so pick your winds wisely and see how quickly you can complete this 132nm run! For reference, the winning time in 2021 was 6:12:28.
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Race #1700
INFO by brainaid.de
R/P 66 PARTICULARS
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ZONA DE PRUEBA DE MANUEL

Please note the displayed course is provisional; the actual course will be set after the IRL course is announced at the skipper's briefing 48 hours before the start, and no later than 24 hours before the start.
Race #1561
INFOby brainaid.de
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San Sebastian to La Rochelle 2021
Once again, our SOL race will be shared with a group of Polish sailors, representing one of the stages of their Virtual Training Cruise around Europe. 171 nm in Delphia 47s across the not always calm Bay of Biscay from San Sebastian to La Rochelle will undoubtedly be one to test their skills. Welcome/Witajcie and we wish you all fair winds.
Race #1441
INFOby brainaid.de
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Aland Sea TIMED Race
Norrtalje Segelsallskap, 70km NE of Stockholm was founded in 1920, and time was when the society’s season opened with a challenging offshore race from the club line off Flaten island at the mouth of the long and narrow Norrtaljeviken, out onto a triangular course around the Aland Sea, to finish at Simpnas slightly to the north on Bjorko island - some 78nm in total. A fine race that SOL, being from these parts, ran annually up until 2013. Last run in autumn 2018, we return here to race the course again in the form a TIMED RUN in spanking new Club Swan 50s.
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Race #1444
INFO by brainaid.de
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Bimmer's Test Zone
What about a speedy X-362 380nm race in the waters off S America, just to blow cobwebs away!!
Race #1415
INFOby brainaid.de
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Antarctica 3 of 3
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Race starts: Sep 16th 11:13
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BLANK POLAR
Race starts: Feb 16th 00:00
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