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 » New Blog Site for SOLers

Posted by
javakeda


Users avatar

Posts
73
Registered at
2013-03-01 03:18:22
2014-08-27 00:48:02 - New Blog Site for SOLers


Announcing the opening of solfans.org -- a new blog site by and for SOL fans.
The site will offer in-depth looks at SOL-related subjects including:
-- routers and routing
-- race strategy
-- weather impact
-- VMG/VMC tactics
-- PERF calculations
-- and more....
The site administrators are kroppyer and javakeda.

SOLers who blog, or would like to blog, are invited to become contributors. The solfans crew can help you with the mechanics of getting that first post published.

All SOLers are invited to check out the articles at
solfans.org
Posted by
javakeda


Users avatar

Posts
73
Registered at
2013-03-01 03:18:22
2014-09-04 23:19:31 - Re: New Blog Site for SOLers
Two new blog posts went up today.

Kroppyer posted a guide to his SailOnLine Performance Calculator. The calculator helps skippers determine the PERF cost of a tack or gybe.

My post shows how WINSTON saved time at the end of The Vineyard race by using a VMC heading. Easy to do if you know how.

Check them both out at solfans.org.
Posted by
kroppyer


Users avatar

Posts
347
Registered at
2010-02-05 15:25:55
2014-12-04 10:37:17 - Re: New Blog Site for SOLers
In case you haven't noticed, new posts have been published. outlaw started a series, SOL Sailing School, which you should surely check out.

solfans.org

--- Last Edited by kroppyer at 2014-12-04 10:38:32 ---
Posted by
iod


Users avatar

Posts
5
Registered at
2009-02-27 23:33:43
2014-12-06 12:45:10 - Re: New Blog Site for SOLers
Excellent ! Thanks for the heads up, and of course thanks to outlaw for sharing a bit of his knowledge to people like me (ever rookie solers)
Posted by
kroppyer


Users avatar

Posts
347
Registered at
2010-02-05 15:25:55
2014-12-26 23:54:31 - Re: New Blog Site for SOLers
Another heads up: If you haven't already, check out the new posts on solfans.org. Two amazing, technical race reports from a SOTP view, and outlaw explains more about using VMC, methods that are (in my mind) essential to fully understand small- and midscale racing.

If you have any questions about the posts, don't hesitate to ask, here or on solfans, in the chat or any other way.
Posted by
DFL1010


Users avatar

Posts
6
Registered at
2013-10-25 19:11:16
2014-12-27 20:44:14 - Re: New Blog Site for SOLers
More very useful posts as ever: thanks for running this, chaps.

Is this the place to post requests for future articles? (If not, then ignore the rest of this...)

In the excellent intro to qtvlm, the 'final word' section refers to the need for interpretation of the routing created. I was wondering if there could be a follow-up to this guide, showing what is meant by this, what to be looking for, what potential traps blindly following a routing may lead one into, etc.


Many thanks!
Posted by
kroppyer


Users avatar

Posts
347
Registered at
2010-02-05 15:25:55
2014-12-28 00:06:37 - Re: New Blog Site for SOLers
Excellent point :) I was (and still am) planning to write more about using QtVLM.

Interpreting the routing results (in combination with other data/forecasts/pilots) is something I don't fully master. I'd be winning more if I did. But I will try and expand on the 'defects' routers have, and what information you can get out of a routing other than the supposed fastest route.
Posted by
iod


Users avatar

Posts
5
Registered at
2009-02-27 23:33:43
2014-12-28 20:26:32 - Re: New Blog Site for SOLers
These were really great reads, thank you
Posted by
kroppyer


Users avatar

Posts
347
Registered at
2010-02-05 15:25:55
2015-01-23 00:02:17 - Re: New Blog Site for SOLers
outlaw gives some insight in interpreting and understanding router output, here. In this case it's BWR's output, but it'll help you with QtVLM too.

I still hope I find the time to write a follow up on using QtVLM (as I said above), but at least you now have outlaws post to help you with the isochrones :)

--- Last Edited by kroppyer at 2015-01-23 00:02:51 ---

Please login to post a reply.

Races

Next Race: 00d 00h 00m

Current Races:

SSANZ Triple Series 2026 - Race 3

Welcome to the grand finale of this year's SSANZ Triple Series! The stage is set for the Lewmar 50, a thrilling 40nm challenge tracing the southern shores of the stunning Waiheke Island, pushing out to Tarahiki before the sprint back to Islington Bay. Expect fast legs, tactical battles, and no shortage of drama as our SOLers take on the waters in their Young 88s, lining up once again against the talented IRL members of the Young 88 Association. With the series on the line and everything still to fight for, it all comes down to this final race!
Race #2053
INFO by brainaid.de
Young 88 PARTICULARS
WX Updates:
0430 / 1030 / 1630 / 2230
Ranking: SPQ3 - SPCH
SSANZ - SUPBUD - SYC
Race starts: Sep 05th 21:15 Registration Open!
▶ Flash
GO TO RACE

The Vineyard Race 2026


For the 16th consecutive year, our SOLers are invited to tackle this iconic 250nm overnighter. The classic route charges out through the sound, leaves Buzzards Bay Light to starboard, rounds Block Island to starboard, and heads home.

This year's weapon of choice is the Beneteau First 47.7. A proven performer since its 2012 SOL debut, this Farr-designed cruiser/racer excels at leading real and virtual handicap fleets. Success will demand sharp tactical navigation, so watch the polars closely to conquer the sound's shifting winds!
Race #2056
INFO by brainaid.de
First 47.7 PARTICULARS
WX Updates:
0430 / 1030 / 1630 / 2230
Ranking: SUPBUD - SYC
Race starts: Sep 04th 17:05 Registration Open!
▶ Flash
GO TO RACE

Shearwater - Rio de la Plata to Irish Sea 2026

Welcome to the fourth leg of our MIG series. This time we're racing the Sooty Shearwater on their migration from the breeding grounds in South America to the northern Atlantic. This is also part of our Ocean Championship, and as such the third race of OCQ3 2026. This race will be sailed in our Gunboat 90. Race #2055
INFO by brainaid.de
GunBoat 90 PARTICULARS
WX Updates:
0430 / 1030 / 1630 / 2230
Ranking:
OCQ3 - OCCH - SYC - MIG
Race starts: Sep 02nd 11:00 Registration Open!
▶ Flash
GO TO RACE

New Ice Age 2026 - Scott Base to Neumayer Station


To complete our DN circumnavigation of Antarctica and our 4-race ice-boat marathon series, we continue clockwise, now departing from Scott Base back to Neumayer Station. It’s about 3500nm back as well, which, as said if there’s wind at all, should, well-wrapped in your DN-cockpits, not take you much more than five days. And remember: charts down here are unreliable – what is land and what is ice?!
Race #1971
INFOby brainaid.de
DN PARTICULARS
WX Updates:
0430 / 1030 / 1630 / 2230
Ranking: NIA - SYC
Race starts: Aug 27th 07:00 Registration Closed
▶ Flash
GO TO RACE

Cross the Convergence 2026 - Tenerife to Fernando de Noronha


The sixth race of our series of ocean voyages across the World’s convergence zones takes us back up the Atlantic to Tenerife, from whence we will depart on a classic transatlantic passage to Brazil’s Fernando de Noronha. It’s 2150nm as the albatross flies, but you will undoubtedly have to take some and sometimes sudden detours to get your Volvo 70v4 through the doldrums stretching across your path from the Amazon to the Niger.
Race #1986
INFOby brainaid.de
Volvo 70v4PARTICULARS
WX Updates:
0430 / 1030 / 1630 / 2230
Ranking: CCZ - SYC
RACE CLOSE: Saturday,
September 5 at 2300 UTC.
Race starts: Aug 23rd 18:00 Registration Closed
▶ Flash
GO TO RACE

Go to race archive

SYC Ranking

  1. Sailonline Yacht Club Member KaSToR
  2. Sailonline Yacht Club Member CriticalHippo
  3. Sailonline Yacht Club Member WRmirekd
  4. Sailonline Yacht Club Member rafa
  5. Sailonline Yacht Club Member Panpyc
  6. Sailonline Yacht Club Member cdhinman
  7. Sailonline Yacht Club Member rthinman
  8. Sailonline Yacht Club Member Sax747
  9. Sailonline Yacht Club Member BRENTGRAY
  10. Sailonline Yacht Club Member ita10267

View full list

Series

Mobile Client

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

The mobile client