Facebook

Login

Support Sailonline

If you haven't already - join the SAILONLINE YACHT CLUB!

Please also consider making a donation - all amounts are greatly appreciated!

Board » General Discussion » TWA as the angle to the wind?

Having been caught out by changes in the wind direction overnight, prior to a very early morning start time, I would like to suggest a small addition to the options available for course setting.
Is it possible to have a third option, in addition to the CC and TWA, in which an "angle to the wind" can be selected that does not refer to any specific wind direction?
This way, if the wind direction in the Wx changes, during the night, (or while the SOLer is away from his/her computer) the boat will start at a specified angle to the new wind direction, rather than to the compass course TWA to the old wind direction.
If it breaks, it's not strong enough--if it doesn't, it's too heavy.
So, a cc command based on the twd at the time of execution? What the command does at execution is basically, putting the given value in the twa box then selecting cc and then pressing "send command"?

So, you would be happy with the following:
a command: "switch", which switches your boat from twa to cc, or from cc to twa without changing course. That means that your proposed command will look like to following:
12:00:00 twa 45
12:00:15 switch (to cc)

I'd like that.

When we have that, it would be nice to have some other way to trigger the switch command, like "when twa<45, switch (to twa)". And using those triggers for other commands will be very useful too: "when cc=200, tack".

I like that too!

Of course, another trigger would be based on your position: "when on layline, tack", "when at mark, cc=200"

Oh wonderful!

When you're doing that, using waypoints comes into play. And you can think of a lot of new commands based on combinations with waypoints and cc/twa/switch commands that will come in handy.

Many new options!

Question is, do we want all that, when you understand it all, it might make life easier, but many will argue that, instead of making it easier, it is making it more complex, with all the new options.

Maybe a bit too much options...

All in all, things like this will forever change the game and are not to be thought about very lightly.
What I was thinking about was a TWA angle to the wind only at the time it is executed at the START. I note that many boats start in directions that do not make much sense. I have wondered if the cause was that the commands were set long before the actual start and the Wx has changed substantially in the intervening time.
I agree that such a command option, if effective DURING the race, would substantially alter the DC process in ways that we may not desire.
If it breaks, it's not strong enough--if it doesn't, it's too heavy.

Please login to post a reply.

Races

Next Race: 00d 00h 00m


Current Races:

ORCV Melbourne to Hobart 2024


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: Dec 26th 23:00 Registration will open soon
▶ Flash
GO TO RACE

Refeno Rally 2024


Although since 1986 this 300nm course from Recife, Brazil, to Fernando Noronha Island has been run many times IRL, we have only used this route twice in SOL. This time it will be the route of the last race in the ARCH 2024 classification.
Although the winner of the general classification can already be determined, the fight for the next places on the podium should be fierce. There are several contenders and Dofour34 have them at their disposal. Since we are starting in Vida_Maldita's home waters, he will give us a 30-minute handicap. Or maybe we should give it to him? 😊
Race #1865
INFO from brainaid.de
Dufour 34 PARTICULARS
WX Updates:
0430 / 1030 / 1630 / 2230
Ranking:
ARQ4 - ARCH - SUPSOL - SYC
Race starts: Dec 23rd 17:00 Registration Open!
▶ Flash
GO TO RACE

Tristan da Cunha TIMED Race 2024

Originally designed by NZL_Scotsman, we head for the remote outpost of Tristan da Cunha where gales and storms may come and go but the sea is everlasting. This 64nm TIMED race has been raced on several occasions before, and this time we will be doing it in Rustler 36s.
RE-REGISTER HERE to race again after finishing a run
Race #1875
INFO by brainaid.de
Rustler 36 PARTICULARS
WX Updates:
0430 / 1030 / 1630 / 2230
Ranking:
TRQ4 - TRCH - SUPSOL - SYC
REGISTRATION CLOSE: Saturday, 28 December at 22:00 UTC
RACE CLOSE: Saturday, 28 December at 23:00 UTC
Race starts: Dec 15th 12:00 Registration Open!
▶ Flash
GO TO RACE

The Beagle in the Azores 2024


And west the Beagle went one final time to round the Cape of Good Hope on May 31 1836. Ashore, Darwin met up with the Astronomer Royal, Herschel, who just happened to be in South Africa at the same time mapping the southern skies. After sounding out his many ideas on evolution and extinction with Herschel, the Beagle now sailed north, stopping briefly in St Helena, Ascension and Brazil, and the Cape Verdes again, to reach the Azores on September 19, 1836. Fitzroy and Darwin at this stage were in a hurry to get back to Britain, but online in 2024 we will stay a little longer to explore this final remote archipelago in our virtual Tall Ship Class B Beagle, 630nm round and about the islands, minding as always in these waters not to bump into any large cetaceans!
Race #1758
INFOby brainaid.de
Tall Ship Class B PARTICULARS
WX Updates:
0430 / 1030 / 1630 / 2230
Ranking: SVF - SYC
RACE CLOSE: Friday,
December 27 at 2300 UTC.
Race starts: Dec 14th 13:00 Registration Closed
▶ Flash
GO TO RACE

Christmas(W) to Christmas(E) Island 2024

Two waypoints, start and finish, and between them 5827 NM of two oceans. Not much time if we want to sit at the Christmas Eve table. You will need to maintain an average speed of over 10 knots, so prepare your 90ft well and choose the best of the many possible routes. Hands up everyone who knew there were TWO Christmas Islands?! OK, maybe you have sailed this Sailonline course before... but it's time to get ready for the 2024 challenge of a reversed race, starting in the Indian Ocean, racing to the Christmas Island in the Pacific! It also marks the conclusion of our prestigious Ocean Race Championship 2024. Please have fun! Fair winds!
PRIZE: SMPF
Race #1868
INFO by brainaid.de
90ft Monohull PARTICULARS
WX Updates:
0430 / 1030 / 1630 / 2230
Ranking: OCQ4 - OCCH - SUPSOL - SYC
Race starts: Dec 02nd 11:00 Registration Closed
▶ Flash
GO TO RACE

Go to race archive

SYC Ranking

  1. Sailonline Yacht Club Member WRmirekd
  2. Sailonline Yacht Club Member FreyjaUSA
  3. Sailonline Yacht Club Member Vida_Maldita
  4. Sailonline Yacht Club Member CriticalHippo
  5. Sailonline Yacht Club Member rafa
  6. Sailonline Yacht Club Member Kipper1258
  7. Sailonline Yacht Club Member Satori
  8. Sailonline Yacht Club Member Sax747
  9. Sailonline Yacht Club Member BRENTGRAY
  10. Sailonline Yacht Club Member CollegeFund

View full list

Series

Mobile Client

SYC members have the benefit of access to our mobile/lightweight web client!

The mobile client