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Profile for JimGodders



Name JimGodders
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  • Re: VMC
    Board » General Discussion
    Thanks very much Bimmer. I had seen that article already, and others on the same blog and this is what is leading to my confusion!

    Let's take this article. Outlaw has chosen to VMC to a bearing of 280*. For the given wind conditions, sailing a course over the ground of 307* gets Outlaw furthest down a line drawn from his/her current position on a bearing of 280*, though they will be to starboard of a point on a direct 280* bearing from their current position. Nevertheless, sailing a course of 307* gets them farthest up the 280* bearing.

    Now, I understand that 280* was chosen as this is the TWD that Outlaw will tack at. But this is what I can't quite get my head around. A TWD of 280* seems incorrect - that could happen anywhere along the leg, and not necessarily in the best tacking position. Does he mean he'll tack when the bearing to the mark is 280*? I often see mentioned that a tack/gybe should be done when VMC = VMG. Why is this not a consideration here?

    I feel like this is a missing piece of the puzzle for me, so I'd love to try and understand it better!
  • VMC
    Board » General Discussion
    Hi all,

    I've been reading about a little as I'm looking to improve, and have zeroed in on VMC as an interesting concept. But, for the life of me, I can't seem to get my head round it properly and I have a few questions that I'm sure you fine folks will be able to answer for me.

    As I understand it, sailing to VMC maximises the boat's speed over the ground in the defined direction. Considering 2 boats, starting at the same point at the same time with both wanting to get as far north as they can, if 1 is sails to VMC, they will be further north than the other sailing due north, though the boat sailing to VMC will also be off to the left or right.

    What I'm struggling to understand is how this is useful in racing. I know there's little point in sailing VMC direct to a mark if the wind ins't expected to shift as you'll lose whatever time you've gained on the leg trying to get back to the mark.

    I've seen some suggest that in shifting wind, a reasonable VMC target is to sail to half the shift. I don't understand what this means though. I've tried google but to no avail - this doesn't seem to be a topic that is easily accessable. Could someone please explain what the VMC target would be if trying to get a mark due north, with a wind veering from NW to W over the course of the leg please?
  • Weather Routing
    Board » General Discussion
    Hi all,
    I've joined SOL so I can learn to compete in long ocean races manually rather than use an automated weather router. Problem is, I don't have the foggiest ideaon where to start! I've had a look around the internet, but haven't been able to find anything for beginners to this, other than some blogs such as SOL's 76trombones.

    I appreciate the concepts of VMG and VMC in getting to a point, but at tbr moment I have no idea on where that point should be based on other things such as the weather. A couple of questions I have are:

    - Do you work forwards, i.e. look at where you can be in 6, 12 hours etc, or work backwards and look at where you want to be in 2-3 days and route based on that?
    - Is there some sort of rule about straying to far from the GC? I can't imagine its wise to add an extra 100 miles to the route for an extra half knot of wind.

    I really want to try and get better at this, so any info you have for a begginer would be much appreciated. Also, if anyone is aware of any other media (books or websites etc), that would also be bery helpful!

    Thanks in advance!!

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Cape Town to Auckland 2024


Welcome to the second leg of this Round The World series 2024. It's also the April edition of this year's ocean race championship. The course is the same as the one sailed in 2023, but this year we sail the iconic Swan 65, as suggested in the concluding RTW race last year.
Prepare yourselves for an epic 30-day journey, navigating through the unpredictable waters of the South Seas. It's essential to take care of provisioning to ensure a smooth and enjoyable race experience. With the longer duration, we anticipate plenty of opportunities for camaraderie, competition, and unforgettable memories.
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Race# 1789
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Race starts: Apr 01st 11:00 Registration Open!
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Gladstone Ports Corporation Brisbane to Gladstone Yacht Race 2024

Welcome everyone to the 76th anniversary of the GPC Brisbane to Gladstone Yacht Race , Australia's other classic ocean race. Once again, Sailonline is delighted to offer you the opportunity of virtually racing its TP52 over this challenging 308nm course.
Race #1787
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Race starts: Mar 29th 01:00 Registration Open!
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Vuelta Isla de Chiloé 2024
Designed by SOLer Hotu Matua in 2010 but barely raced since, this is a 263nm race battling the extreme sea, wind and current conditions around the fabulous landscapes of Chile’s Chiloé archipelago. Previously sailed in our somewhat unsuitable Seacart 30, we’ll venture forth in our slightly more modern, water-ballasted Sun Fast 3300 this time. Keep the hatch closed!
Race #1795
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Race starts: Mar 28th 05:00 Registration Open!

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Tyrrhenian Tour 2024

For only the second time in SOL's history we will race 800 nautical miles around the small islands of the Tyrrhenian Sea. Fourteen years ago, as many as 383 yachts took part in the competition, will we match the number of participants this time? So, jump into your Judel Vrolijk 62 and lets get ready to race.
Race #1793
INFO by brainaid.de
JV 62 PARTICULARS
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Ranking:
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RACE CLOSE: Wednesday,
April 3 at 2300 UTC.
Race starts: Mar 25th 17:00 Registration Open!
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San Juan Islands TIMED Race 2024

Welcome to the beautiful Pacific Northwest and the San Juan Islands. The Salish Sea is home to five different types of whales including Orcas, making this archipelago one of the best places in the world to see whales in the wild. The Cape 31 is a one-design yacht originally created for racing in South Africa, which has rapidly expanded with fleets around the world. This is a TIMED race, so you may RE-REGISTER HERE to try again, after finishing a run. You will have 13 days and 11 hours to show your skill and decision making after the race opens.
Race #1792
INFO by brainaid.de
Cape 31 PARTICULARS
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RACE CLOSE: Saturday,
30 March at 23:00 UTC
Race starts: Mar 17th 12:00 Registration Open!
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Casey Station to Neumayer Station 2024

It’s late summer now in Antarctica, the sun will still not set, but the Emperor chicks are hatched. Let’s yacht on from Australia’s Casey Station, destination Germany’s Neumayer Station! Our route takes us past Molodezhnaya Stancija, Russia’s self-styled capital of Antarctica, as well as Mirney (RUS), Davis (AUS), Mawson (AUS), Syowa (JAP) and Maitri (IND) down the full length of the continent’s east coast. It’s not much more than 2600nm, so let’s take Brazil’s Amyr Klink’s more stately and very comfortable 29m LOA Paratii 2 for this second leg of our six-leg high latitude adventure!
Race #1765
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Paratii 2 PARTICULARS
WX Updates:
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Ranking: HILAT - SYC
RACE CLOSE: Tuesday,
April 2 at 2300 UTC.
Race starts: Mar 14th 19:00 Registration Closed
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