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 Capt.D.P. ![]() |
|
I am working on promoting SOL on different other virtual sailing sites but I am often told "what sailing with those square sails boats,forget it.
That was before we had this unreasonably sailing with this viking boat. Polars of these boats are really stupid,wander who did them. Sailing strait to the wind with square sails is impossible. Where on earth you should be looking for slower winds to go faster and that is possible with these boats(look at the polars of 3 knts and 6 knts) We IRL sailors can not switch our minds to sail unreasonably. I appreciate the work RC is doing on SOL,but this kind of boats are not what we really want in virtual sailing. Capt. D.P. |
|
Posted by ShamrockPirate ![]() |
|
Variety=Spice
And since a good bit of work went into the polars, I am appreciative of the effort. I suspect if all the races were exactly the same, there would be a lot LESS interest. A lowly Pirate opinion.... SP |
|
Posted by K3 (Bernd) ![]() |
|
They row and I like them (because I don't need to row). And they row faster upwind if the wind is weak…
Keep up with interesting boats like the dragon or the other squared ones. ciao Bernd (K3) |
|
Posted by 76Trombones ![]() |
|
Heh - Guilty as charged. I've also done the other last couple of dozen added to the SOL fleet . This race has been on the books for almost 3 years so no sense blaming RC
![]() For the curious, the polar (med roere) is based directly on the work done by the museum at Roskilde on Havhingsten fra Glendalough, an interpretation/replica of the Skuldev 2 find. "Sea Stallion" has done extensive sea trials and several major cruises, and the museum has put a great collection of teaching resources online. Check out the youtube for how wet and miserable halfway across might be. Skål! 76T |
|
Posted by Capt.D.P. ![]() |
|
You must be joking guys,what are we here virtual sailing or virtual rowing.
On longship Drake we have than mixed polars for sailing and rowing. This is really for big -L O L- If RC and some of you like to sail that way I would propose that those races are not being ranked and at the same time insert normal sailing boat race which is ranked. We shall than see how many will chose one or other race. |
|
Posted by Alan (iomkiwi) ![]() |
|
I'm only a noob here but I'm going to stick my 'oar' in here
![]() As the title of the event says it is a virtual 'raid' - shouldn't we be using the same abilities of the craft in the event we are virtually recreating? As to the polars, aren't they there so that we can see what the boat is cabable of doing in all aspects of performance, and so help us to learn how to sail a variety of boats to their potential? As to the popularity of the event maybe we should compare the number of entries in the 'Raid' to those entered in other recent weekend or weekly ranking events, like the Black Sea races, the Texel races, and the current Haida Gwaii. I say let the variety continue, look at the event then decide whether you want to enter or not, no event is compulsory and missing the occasional event isn't going to harm your ranking that much. Alan |
|
Posted by Rod |
|
76----My only question about the Longship polar performance is with regards to the upwind performance of a single square sail on a central mast. The sail would most likely have been made of wool, and would have stretched horribly under pressure.
Therefore, I wonder if the polar showing almost similar upwind angles and performance to a modern Bermuda style rig is entirely realistic? I realize that it was the Museum that provided the polar info, but.....? As a sidelight on this argument about using historical ships in our races, I would point out that while we (SOL) are unlikely to attract those of the "zoom-zoom, smash 'em-bash 'em" crowd of virtual racers, we are highly likely to attract those who are interested in historical marine activities and the sailing performance of the old sailing vessels, such as the Tea Clippers, and Nelson's "Victory". (Now if we could just add 'wave action', ocean currents, tide and 'sail durability' to our repertoire, including sail blow-outs and sail choice...?) If it breaks, it's not strong enough--if it doesn't, it's too heavy. |
|
Posted by 76Trombones ![]() |
|
A single square sail on a long skinny hull isn't a problem, though the windward performance here isn't spectacular. This is a 30m boat that is making <10m speeds. To be fair, Skuldev 2 is thought to be biased toward rowing performance.
Woven wool sails have been shown to perform similarly to hemp and flax. The sheep would have been hair breeds, the sails at least partly fulled, and subjected to smörring to seal and waterproof the surface. Definitely not a fluffy merino sweater. |
|
Posted by NZL_PaulR ![]() |
|
Having a variety of polars IMHO is really great. The rowing aspect adds another dimension of possibilities to consider.
If we only raced sloops, with good windward pointing and speed and even thereafter, all races will soon become boring. The challange of sailing in different boats in different parts of the world is one major factor that makes SoL such an interesting event. The historical aspects of the longships and the youtube 4 part Viking Voyages was very interesting and enjoyable. In the past, racing against the tall ships was equally fascinating, especially with live vidcams of the harbour(s) and starts. So a BIG THANKS to all who add aspects to the SoL experience. If it breaks, it's not strong enough! |
|
Posted by AGage ![]() |
|
I cant quite understand why a SINGLE race in the history of Sailonline.org, that used an historic polar including the fact that these boats included rowers is being ragged on...
a) Don't sail it... Nothing states we must participate in all races, ergo the SYC ranking being best 10 of last 30 b) +1 to SP's comment, & PaulR's c) Perhaps actually having to examine the polar in a different way is not such a bad thing to begin with... Kind of like how sailing completely different classes IRL makes you a better sailor overall. (Well it has had that effect on my own sailing for sure) Really all SOL did was have a race that took us back in history, and that is the sort of thing that makes virtual sailing so special - that we can actually do that sort of thing... Personally I am pissed I had to miss it due to internet problems, I think its a great idea... Also - I think the place for such comments is in the Race Calendar thread - and BEFORE the race starts. --- Last Edited by Aaron Gage at 2012-06-20 09:58:25 --- I help develop the client interface for the best online ocean racing sim there is... __/)/)_/)__ |
Races
Next Race: 00d 00h 00m
Current Races:
Garagiste's Test Lab

Race #1928
INFOby brainaid.de
PARTICULARS
WX Updates:
0430 / 1030 / 1630 / 2230
Ranking:
TRQ2 - TRCH - SUPSOL - SYC
RACE CLOSE: Saturday,
26 July at 23:00 UTC
Race starts: Jul 13th 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!