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Board » General Discussion » Realism

I attach a number of images from a sailing program called VirtualSailor7 which is entirely contained within my own computer. It includes a chart of the land and the Aegean Sea, with tracks etc of other boats.May I suggest that this concept be explored for use in the SailonLine program, to add to the realism of the sailing program. While VS7 has limitations to 24 boats only and cannot be used for a many boat racing experience as extensive as SOL, it shows what can be done to make SOL a more versatile racing program.
If it breaks, it's not strong enough--if it doesn't, it's too heavy.
My attachments didn't attach--- but here now. Is there something that blocks attachments when you start a new thread?
If it breaks, it's not strong enough--if it doesn't, it's too heavy.
Attachments
Im not sure that is really the point of SOL (VSK has similar graphical POV), but I did recently have the idea of creating a 3D boat model and animating its sails etc (maybe even some waves?) based on current SOL data, and allowing user to pan and zoom etc, to provide a life like view of your boat in SOL.

Thing is nothing that you mention adds any realism in terms of the simulation - only graphically...
I help develop the client interface for the best online ocean racing sim there is... __/)/)_/)__
VS7 has vastly more versatility. I can fly like an aircraft, wander around among the buildings of the town of Rhodes or Piraeus, stand on the railing of a light house, submerge beneath the seas in a submarine, drop the sails and anchor in many different harbours, stand on the bridge of a freighter, examine my surroundings by radar, the depth with a depth sounder, take sun and star sights to calculate my position.... and race with 23 other sailboats over a course with mark boats and way points. The ports and the topography are a bit 'generic', but correspond largely with reality.
All of this is downloaded once, but I can alter all the waves and weather at will. (you want snow, thunder and lightning, rain, fog, sunshine? You got it)
The point is that it CAN be done, and the realism of sailboat racing can be extended well beyond just the calculation of navigational commands.
Because all of this is a downloaded program, it allows the server to update only the boat positions and all the weather and currents. This will greatly reduce server load, probably to about what it is now.
If it breaks, it's not strong enough--if it doesn't, it's too heavy.
but the steering wheel is drawed as a polygon only…

;) Bernd
True, but I can take it off auto-pilot and turn the wheel by the mouse pointer, as I can the main and jib sheet winches. I can adjust the sheet winches separately to change weather helm, and hold course entirely manually. I can partly lower the sails to 'reef' in heavy winds, I can sail wing-on-wing or raise the spinnacker. I can even have water over the deck or in the cockpit. And it addition, there is a chart of boat positions and tracks. It can be done, which is my main point, not using VS5, but extending SOL to the same capabilities.
If it breaks, it's not strong enough--if it doesn't, it's too heavy.
VS7 has vastly more versatility.
I want comparing the 2 programs other than the graphical 1st and 3rd person POVs...

This will greatly reduce server load, probably to about what it is now.

So what is server load being reduced from exactly if it will be reduced to current levels?

What you are proposing would have absolutely no effect on server load anyway, as it is all client side graphical detail. Which would likely detract from the routing/tactical nature of the game.

Anyway, it you can do all that in VS7 (why would you want to fly in a sailing game?) why do you also want it in SOL?

And how much did you pay for VS7?

Actually it is entirely possible to create a new client without any support from sailonline.org (all the data and commands are via public http), so go ahead and write one...
I help develop the client interface for the best online ocean racing sim there is... __/)/)_/)__
Ah musta kicked yo' daw'ig.
If it breaks, it's not strong enough--if it doesn't, it's too heavy.

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Garagiste's Test Lab

From space Qeshm Island in the Persian Gulf resembles a dolphin. The Question of Qeshm is do we helm our First 27 solo north or south of the island in this 79 nm race. This is a TIMEDrace so you may RE-REGISTER HEREto try again after finishing a run. You will have 13 days and 11 hours to test your skill and decision making after the race opens.
Race #2029
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Isla San Lorenzo RTI 2025


SOL’s SRC (Sailonline Race Committee) has taken us to some unusual places in the past, and San Lorenzo Island off Lima’s Callao peninsula is definitely another one. Housing a naval base and a penal institution, no vessel is allowed within 300m of its shores. Also, with no sources of potable water, it is a matter of debate whether it is an island at all, and not just a large rock. So, whatever you do, don’t be tempted to BBQ; you’ll be arrested and go thirsty! We return for the first time since 2018 to race thirteen potentially unlucky miles in J-30s; have fun!!
Race 1966
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Patricks Test


The Three Kings Race returns with a demanding 468 nautical mile challenge from Auckland up to the remote Three Kings Islands and back again. This rugged and spectacular course tests both endurance and strategy as our SOLers navigate open ocean and ever-changing conditions. Racing the powerful Riptide 50, our SOLers will need precision, timing, and smart routing to master this iconic out-and-back course and secure a strong result!
Race #2028
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Joanne's Test Race Zone

In 1947, Hugh McLean & Sons of Gourock, Scotland built a radical racing yacht for John Illingworth, soon-to-be Commodore of the RORC, to a design by Laurent Giles. With a masthead rig, giving her ‘free’ sail area per the rules of the time, and short overhangs reducing pitching, Myth of Malham went on to win The Fastnet that year and again in 1949, and to compete in numerous Admiral's Cups. In 1958, in honour of the yacht, the Myth of Malham race was conceived - a mini-Fastnet to the first lighthouse on a rock west of Cowes, Eddystone, rather than the second, to be held in non-Fastnet years. IRL this year it has been raced already, but this stops us not from “Red Eye” racing its online 230nm in Fareast 31Rs, leaving how to deal with the Isle of Wight open to your own discretion.
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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Puil's Practice Palaver

The Guess about Gotland is do we helm our First 27 solo east or west of the island in this 140 nm race. This is a TIMEDrace so you may RE-REGISTER HEREto try again after finishing a run. You will have 13 days and 11 hours to test your skill and decision making after the race opens.
Race #2030
INFOby brainaid.de
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Gulf of St Lawrence - test - Mirek
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Race starts: Apr 21st 17:00 Registration Open!

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Stefan's Duck Pond

Welcome to yet another all-new route. This next race is part of our Ocean Championship as well as the ROW series. Falklands to Tasmania, is like last year's island to island. It’s one of the longer ones 6400nm, more than half way around the world (and the Antarctica). It starts the 2026 OCQ2, and will be sailed in our Steinlager 2, contrary to prior notice.
Race #2021
INFO by brainaid.de
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Trapped Camel
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Race starts: Aug 21st 15:03 Registration Open!

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Caravanserai
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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 Registration Closed

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Antarctica 1 of 3
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Race starts: Jan 27th 21:57 Registration Open!

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Flinders Island TIMED Race 2024

In the southern reaches of the Bass Strait between mainland Australia and Tasmania, you will find the Furneaux Group of islands, largest of which is Flinders, both named after famed British navigators. Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to race your Ocean 50 catamaran a course of c 106nm around Flinders in the fastest time. This is a TIMED race, so you may RE-REGISTER HERE to try again, after finishing a run. This course will self-destruct in 13 days and 11 hours after opening for entrants.
Race #1776
INFO by brainaid.de
Ocean 50 PARTICULARS
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Race starts: Jan 14th 12:00 Registration Open!
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Tasman Double 2023 - Hobart to Sydney
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Race starts: Jan 02nd 02:00 Registration Open!

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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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Race starts: Aug 05th 12:00 Registration Closed

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ZONA DE PRUEBA DE MANUEL

Welcome to the Shorthanded Sailing Association of New Zealand's 2022 Evolution Sails Northern Triangle series, which, unfortunately, to comply with latest NZ government COVID restrictions, has been reduced to a duo, commencing with this short prologue of approximately 35nm on the waters of Auckland's Hauraki Gulf. As so often with SSANZ events in the past, online we will be racing the event in ever-young Young 88 one-designs. Have fun!
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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Race starts: Mar 05th 17:00 Registration Open!

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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.
RE-REGISTER HERE to race again after finishing a run.
Race #1444
INFO by brainaid.de
Club Swan 50 Particulars
WX Updates:
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RANKING:
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RACE CLOSE: Sunday, 28 February at 23:00 UTC
Race starts: Feb 15th 12:00 Registration Closed

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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
X-362 PARTICULARS
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ALT. CLIENT:Classic

Race starts: Dec 21st 16:00 Registration Open!

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Antarctica 3 of 3
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Race starts: Sep 16th 11:13 Registration Closed

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BLANK POLAR
Race starts: Feb 16th 00:00 Registration Open!

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