Login
Support Sailonline
If you haven't already - join the SAILONLINE YACHT CLUB!
Please also consider making a donation - all amounts are greatly appreciated!
Posted by CKHANSEN ![]() |
|
Just a question,just curious...
Will SOL ever try to have a 3D version like SailX.com? Is it possible? I would definitely become a paying member if SOL went 3D. St. Lucie - Jupiter Ocean Racing Association (SJORA) |
|
Poll: Would you like to see SOL in 3D? |
|
Posted by Rod |
|
To CKH: I have been hinting, cajoling, promulgating, asking----you name it----for just such a development in SOL. I have been using as an example of what can be done, the free downloadable program "Virtual Sailor" by Ilan Papini. While his program is not suitable for a large number of racers, and it pretty much confined to part of the Aegean Sea, it does have good visuals, with waves and weather, land scenery and ports,manual as well as autopilot steering, as well as manual and auto sail adjustment. The weather and wind, however are exactly the same across the entire map (adjustable by user), and are not linked to NOAA.
I have been using it in 20 boat races, with the other 19 controlled by the computer.(Unfortunately I can always win because [as we all know] computers are not very imaginative.) However it does show what can be done, if we want. I think it is clear that if a more visual and realistic racing program was to be developed, the present SOLers would change over to it 'en masse' I attach a view. p.s. You also get the chart, with boat positions and tracks. --- Last Edited by Rod at 2011-04-15 14:38:54 --- --- Last Edited by Rod at 2011-04-15 17:11:54 --- If it breaks, it's not strong enough--if it doesn't, it's too heavy. |
|
Posted by A2 ![]() |
|
I for one would Not prefer that this idea is adopted wholesale.
Why ? I think it would jeopardize the free aspect of this site and would require significant overhead both on the server & client side. Those of us who have slower internet access and/or less capable computers, would be squeezed out of future participation. I therefore affirm the schematic approach to this elegant presentation None so blind |
|
Posted by Rod |
|
The price for the down-loadable Virtual Sailor 4 is about $35 Canadian, which sis just about the same for the "Sailonline Yacht Club" membership, (which I am not a member of) so the two things are comparable. The VS4 program contains a great number of things which would not be needed for SOL, like freighters, submarines, guided missiles, fish, dolphins, seagulls, etc etc. The cost would be less than VS4, and would be payable only once.
I am not trying to sell VS4 in any way--it has its frustrations and is not at all suitable for what SOLers would need--it just demonstrates what can be done if we want. If it breaks, it's not strong enough--if it doesn't, it's too heavy. |
|
Posted by CKHANSEN ![]() |
|
You wouldn't even have to go as far as virtual sailor. look at SAILX.com.
This is also a free sailing site. You can pay for membership just like here in SOL. take a look... www.sailx.com O wonder if this is possible St. Lucie - Jupiter Ocean Racing Association (SJORA) |
|
Posted by Rod |
|
Took a look at SailX and was not particularly impressed by its degree of realism. Little boat outlines running around at impossibly high speeds, while the controls are "suggestions to the actual skipper"---Are we back to rich men and paid crews?---anyway, to cut a long litany of derogatory comments to one....NO.
The degree of realism is just one step above SOL---you can actually see the boat's wake!!!! p.s. Has anyone actually looked into the """FREE""" Virtual Skipper program to determine just what you actually can get?? --- Last Edited by Rod at 2011-04-16 18:16:07 --- If it breaks, it's not strong enough--if it doesn't, it's too heavy. |
|
Posted by CKHANSEN ![]() |
|
you actually clicked on the 3d button? becasue there is 2d and 3d option. It is a simple 3d, compared to Virtual sailor. I think virtual sailor is great, but too much. I think the sailx 3d is just right, simple and easy, and still free.
The controls in sailx have a slight learning curve, but then again, if you sail in real life there is always that learning curve when controling a boat, that is what makes it so much fun and so challenging. Not that SOL needs that sort of control, but the #D would make it a bit more exciting and REAL. 3D FOR SOL! ![]() St. Lucie - Jupiter Ocean Racing Association (SJORA) |
|
Posted by Rod |
|
Will try 3D and see. When I did before I got only an overhead view of one boat "model" with a mast and a mainsail. I couldn't find the control to shift to a panoramic view, and I couldn't find a plan of the racecourse.
I will persevere, but the list of different controls is so long (2 pages) that I don't know how you memorize. Also, can you slow it down to "real" speeds p.s. I do like your "SLIGHT learning curve" --- Last Edited by Rod at 2011-04-17 14:18:23 --- --- Last Edited by Rod at 2011-04-17 14:20:07 --- If it breaks, it's not strong enough--if it doesn't, it's too heavy. |
|
Posted by ita10267 ![]() |
|
guys,
this is simply not feasible (from a technical point of view), nor desirable. It is not possible to synchronize the operation of such a large number of users (SOL averages 300 to 400 but can go up to 700) in different part of the world, with different connection/bandwidth, computational power etc. I think it would be difficult even on a MultiGBit LAN where everyone is sitting near to his opponents. Virtual Skipper, SailX etc. are arcade games which are good for short races and a very small number of participants. Nice to have fun for a couple of hours hoping that you don't loose sync 100m from the finish line. While we wait for ultra-reliable TeraBit connections I guess we have the choice: 1) good graphics, waves, even wife throwing buckets of iced salt water on our face ->> VSK & co 2) essential graphics, but a large number of simultaneous users (we can still have wife with the iced water bucket during updates) ->> SOL The two worlds cannot mix at the moment. But again, we have the choice a. |
|
Posted by Rod |
|
One small correction---Virtual Skipper is in no sense an "Arcade Game". There is NO GAME. It is just an environment in which you have access to several types of boats, ships and planes, an ocean upon which to sail, land, airports, harbours and towns,----and from there you do what you wish. I use it for racing sailboats, others for torpedoing freighters, some explore the sea bottom and some just sail or motor around from port to port, some even fly aircraft. It is all contained within your own computer, so contact with other users is essentially the same as in SOL and would probably have about the same server load.
p.s. I am in no way suggesting that VS be used as a replacement for SOL, but instead that SOL can add similar features to the SOL programming to provide a more up-to-date and imaginative racing/sailing experience for the SOL user community --- Last Edited by Rod at 2011-04-18 16:40:50 --- If it breaks, it's not strong enough--if it doesn't, it's too heavy. |
Races
Next Race: 00d 00h 00m
Current Races:
Garagiste's Test Lab

Race #1939
INFOby brainaid.de
RC 44 Particulars
WX Updates:
0430 / 1030 / 1630 / 2230
Ranking:
TRQ3 - TRCH - SUPSOL - SYC
RACE CLOSE: Saturday,
23 August at 23:00 UTC
Race starts: Aug 10th 12:00 Registration will open soon
GO TO RACE
Patricks Test

Race #1932
INFO by brainaid.de
Young 88 PARTICULARS
WX Updates:
0430 / 1030 / 1630 / 2230
Ranking:
SSANZ - SYC
Race starts: Aug 03rd 08:00 Registration Open!
GO TO RACE
Joanne's Test Race Zone
Race #1847
INFOby brainaid.de
Fareast 31R PARTICULARS
WX Updates:
0430 / 1030 / 1630 / 2230
Ranking: SYC - RED
Race starts: Jul 25th 12:00 Registration Closed
GO TO RACE
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
Riptide 50 PARTICULARS
WX Updates:
0430 / 1030 / 1630 / 2230
Ranking:
ARQ3 - ARCH - SUPSOL – SYC
Race starts: Jul 21st 17:00 Registration Open!
GO TO RACE
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
29er_XX PARTICULARS
WX Updates:
0430 / 1030 / 1630 / 2230
Ranking:
SPRQ3 - SPRCH - SUPSOL – SYC
Race starts: Jul 19th 15:00 Registration Closed
GO TO RACE
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
60ft Trimaran PARTICULARS
WX Updates:
0430 / 1030 / 1630 / 2230
Ranking: SYC - ABS
Race starts: Jun 03rd 11:30 Registration Open!
GO TO RACE
Gulf of St Lawrence - test - Mirek
-
Race starts: Apr 21st 17:00
Registration Open!
Stefan's Duck Pond

PRIZE: SMPF
Race #1900
INFO by brainaid.de
Orange 125 PARTICULARS
WX Updates:
0430 / 1030 / 1630 / 2230
Ranking: OCQ3 - OCCH - SUPSOL - SYC
Race starts: Feb 06th 00:00 Registration Closed
GO TO RACE
Trapped Camel
-
Race starts: Aug 21st 15:03
Registration Open!
Caravanserai
-
Race starts: Aug 08th 17:00
Registration Open!
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
First 47.7 PARTICULARS
WX Updates:
0430 / 1030 / 1630 / 2230
Ranking: SYC
Race starts: Aug 03rd 08:00 Registration Open!
GO TO RACE
Mirek's Mess & Canteen
music deleted
Race starts: Apr 26th 18:00
Registration Closed
Antarctica 1 of 3
-
Race starts: Jan 27th 21:57
Registration Open!
Flinders Island TIMED Race 2024

Race #1776
INFO by brainaid.de
Ocean 50 PARTICULARS
WX Updates:
0430 / 1030 / 1630 / 2230
Ranking:
TRQ1 - TRCH - SUPSOL - SYC
RACE CLOSE: Saturday,
27 January at 23:00 UTC
Race starts: Jan 14th 12:00 Registration Open!
GO TO RACE
Tasman Double 2023 - Hobart to Sydney
music deleted
Race starts: Jan 02nd 02:00
Registration Open!
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
Super Maxi 100 PARTICULARS
WX Updates:
0430 / 1030 / 1630 / 2230
Ranking:
OCQ3-OCCH-SUPSOL-SYC
Race starts: Sep 01st 04:00
Registration Closed
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.
RE-REGISTER HERE to race again after finishing a run
Race #1700
INFO by brainaid.de
R/P 66 PARTICULARS
NAM_AWIP WX Updates:
0245 / 0845 / 1445 / 2045
Ranking:
TRQ3 - TRCH - SUPSOL - SYC
RACE CLOSE: Sunday, 18 August at 23:00 UTC
Race starts: Aug 05th 12:00
Registration Closed
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
Young 88 PARTICULARS
WX Updates:
0430 / 1030 / 1630 / 2230
Ranking: SYC - NTR
Race starts: Jan 10th 14:00 Registration Closed
GO TO RACE
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
Delphia 47 PARTICULARS
WX Updates:
0430 / 1030 / 1630 / 2230
Ranking: SYC
Race starts: Mar 05th 17:00
Registration Open!
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:
0430 / 1030 / 1630 / 2230
RANKING:
TRQ1 - TRCH - SUPSOL - SYC
RACE CLOSE: Sunday, 28 February at 23:00 UTC
Race starts: Feb 15th 12:00
Registration Closed
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
WX Updates:
0430 / 1030 / 1630 / 2230
Ranking:
SYC
ALT. CLIENT:Classic
Race starts: Dec 21st 16:00
Registration Open!
Antarctica 3 of 3
-
Race starts: Sep 16th 11:13
Registration Closed
BLANK POLAR
Race starts: Feb 16th 00:00
Registration Open!
SYC Ranking
Series
- test
- SYC ranking (series rename test)
- 2016 TRQ4
- 2016 TRQ3
- 2016 TRQ2
- 2016 TRQ1
- 2016 TRCH
- 2016 SUPSOL
- 2016 SRQ4
- 2016 SRQ3
- 2016 SRQ2
- 2016 SRQ1
- 2016 SPRCH
- 2016 OCQ4
- 2016 OCQ3
- 2016 OCQ2
- 2016 OCQ1
- 2016 OCCH
- 2016 Corporate Open Gold
- 2016 A3
- 2015 TRQ4
- 2015 TRQ3
- 2015 TRQ2
- 2015 TRQ1
- 2015 TRCH
- 2015 Tasman Double
- 2015 Tall Ships
- 2015 SYQ4
- 2015 SYQ3
- 2015 SYQ2
- 2015 SYQ1
- 2015 SYCCH
- 2015 SUPSOL
- 2015 SSANZ Triple
- 2015 SRQ4
- 2015 SRQ3
- 2015 SRQ2
- 2015 SRQ1
- 2015 SPRCH
- 2015 OCQ4
- 2015 OCQ3
- 2015 OCQ2
- 2015 OCQ1
- 2015 OCCH
- 2015 Aegean Rally
- 2014 Timed Races Championship
- 2014 Tasman Double
- 2014 Tall Ships
- 2014 SYC Championship
- 2014 SSANZ Trio
- 2014 SSANZ RNI
- 2014 Sprints Championship
- 2014 Scandinavian Tour
- 2014 Round The World Race
- 2014 Ocean Championship
- 2014-2015 Sailonline World Race
- 2013 Tall Ships
- 2013 SYC Championship
- 2013 SSANZ B&G Simrad
- 2013 Capt Anderson
- 2012 W Australia Regatta
- 2012 Tall Ships
- 2012 SSANZ B&G Simrad
- 2012 RNZ Two Handed
- 2012 Global Challenge
- 2012 Ecker Cup
- 2012 Black Sea
- 2012 A3
- 2011 Vancouver Island
- 2011 Tasman Double
- 2011 SSANZ B&G Simrad
- 2011 SOL Global Challenge
- 2011 SJORA Series
- 2011 Scandinavian Tour
- 2011 Round North Island
- 2011 Asian Sprints
- 2011-2012 SOL World Race
- 2010 Tasman Double
- 2010 Ouzo Rally
- 2010 Iberian Tour
- 2010 Auckland Regional
- 2009 French SOLo
- 2009 Bosphore - Bretagne
- 2008 SYCC
- 2008 -2013 SYC Week Race Championship
- 2008 -2013 SYC Week-End Race Championship
- 2008 -2013 SYC Ocean Race Championship
- 2008-2009 Sailonline Ocean Race
Mobile Client
SYC members have the benefit of access to our mobile/lightweight web client!