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 » Sailors with routers

Page: Previous 1 2 3 4 5 Next

Kroppyer
Thanks for your thought's, but we don't have to make it so difficult.
We can do it as we allways done it, race to the finnish.
But we can have two classes, R for Routers, L for Livesailors.
The rules for the definitions between L &R can be discussed, the final decision should bee taken by the board.
We can race to the finnish together but with the differnce that R & L are presented in two different podiums, one in R & one in L.
We don't need too make it so difficult, we all like to sail and race.
//Husse
Husse
I think it would be interesting if an expert in SOTP sailing could explain in detail the techniques used in both long term and short term course planning, and then we could all understand a little more what the value of those podium positions for SOTPers would involve. I haven't seen much discussion of it yet. :)


It is also worth noting that there cost is no impediment to acquiring a router. There are more free routers available than there are commercial ones, and a few of the free ones do a very good job. Most only take an hour or two to understand their use. It takes a few more hours to also understand when not to use them. ;)

Please also understand I take nothing away from those who sail for fun or indeed the mental challenge of SOTP course reckoning. I'm just not seeing the value in a class for that activity.

On the other I do admire all those who are not particularly IT gifted who have taken on the challenge of learning how to use a router, or how to access and understand pilot charts, or who have been reading about long range weather forecasting in an effort to increase their pleasure and performance in SOL. Whilst they might not be on the podium much or even at all, they've learnt a lot and have moved from positions in the top 100-200 into positions in the top twenties and thirties. I think that is to be admired, even if it isn't rewarded with a podium medal or certificate.

--- Last Edited by Dingo at 2014-11-07 08:40:05 ---

--- Last Edited by Dingo at 2014-11-07 08:44:27 ---

--- Last Edited by Dingo at 2014-11-07 10:40:02 ---
I think Husse pointed out some valid points but it does seem a little bit artificial to me.

Like some pointed out a router is a tool to speed up calculations that could be done in, lets say Excel, or pen and paper.

Should there then also be different results for people who spend 2 hours or more on SOL per day, and those who spend less energy?

We could also have a separate class for those that do not even use the WX slider, except to see the pretty animation of the wind changes over time. A PSS (Point and Shoot Sailor) podium. Sarcasm here.

We only have a few hundred active sailors. Most of the shorter races are raced without routers anyway. This should only be considered for Ocean races. In my opinion not even there.
In theory you can do everything with spreadsheets that a router can. Are all spreadsheets allowed in the 'L' group? Or only those with some restrictions?

Let's forget about enforcing the rules for a moment. We're racing here, we are competitive. Part of that is finding the best approach within the rules. You can't do that when the rules are not clear.

A rule "You may only use this list of software <list>" is clear. "You may not route" is not clear.

_____
What I find most important to get you to understand about my previous proposal:
It leaves sol as is. Nothing changes. But, it adds an option for anyone to start groups, each with it's own ranking, and own set of rules. If you think "You may not route" is clear enough, get a group of solers together that agree to stick to that rule, and you have a group. You can also start a group only for friends.

How does that sound? Hopefully a bit less complicated and for some a bit more familiar.
I think you all have great idea's and good points.
But i think you all are missing my point, i maybe wasn't clear enough about that.
I want to attract new SOL'ers, or at least don't loose more SOL'ers.
I don't have anything against routers, excel-sheets or whatever anyone uses to find the best way to the endpoint.
The point is that we are getting fewer and fewer.
We need to do some Changes to attract new SOL'ers, everything has to change sometime to develope.
I think new SOL'ers quit when they don't have a chance against the "elite" who all probably uses routers.
Maybe it should be in the manual, as Dingo so wisely says, nobody has explained how to use a router. Maybe even SOL should have their own downloadable router to SOL'ers to use, with a manual to it.
This problem isn't new to SOL, during 2012 people stoped using SOL, as it is probably today.

starting to get over it
It's not about router or no router, it's about making SOL attractive and attracting new members who like too sail in the virtual live as well as i irl.
__________
edited to make a link out of a url to prevent column overlap

--- Last Edited by RainbowChaser at 2014-12-22 22:30:00 ---
Husse
We all can make SOL better, if we put some effort into it.
Husse
The line between to calculate future changes, or just looking at predictor, wind arrows or present isochrones should divide the SOLers so easily that it should not be hard to define two classes. ???
I don't think we (you) want two classes, I think you want a non-router sub class. So, adding a non-router ranking (in which only people are ranked who agree not to use a router) would be sufficient?

Step 2 is clearly defining what is routing and what is not. I might be the only one with problems here.

Hypothetically, if your predictor line would take into account your DCs. So not a twa/cc predictor line, but one that follows your DCs. And let's say that line doesn't extend for 6h, but for 6 days. Let's say it draws small parts of the polar every 15 minutes (so that it starts to look like isochrones). Then we add an option so that you can simulate a list of DCs without actually entering them as actual DCs yet. And to make it a bit more userfriendly it can show multiple of those simulated predictor lines at once, given different sets of DCs. As a handy tool we can automatically flag the the predictor lines/sets of DCs/routes that are "behind" (slower than) other predictor lines. If needed, we can remove all flagged (slow) routes, leaving only the faster ones. Let's add an option to create about 10 routes from an existing route, those 10 routes follow the existing route and diverge 15 minutes after the last DC in 10 slightly different headings. And finally, let's add an option to automatically do such "route splitting" for every existing route, followed by flagging and removing slow routes until we reach the end of our Wx.

At what point did this predictor line become a router?

That's why I would advise to use a list of allowed software rather than "Don't use a router".

___
In the end, you don't care about what should be called routing and what not, you just want a group of people that use similar tools as you do, and have a little competition within that group. At least, that's what I want.

--- Last Edited by kroppyer at 2014-11-07 22:04:48 ---
Kroppyer: Very good, thank you! I have to read your comment some more times to understand it fully. But I like your approach to the subject, and your brilliant thinking about this eternal problem.
From a few comments I have seen in chat, SOL used to have races where you could choose different classes of yacht for the same race?
If the server is still set up to handle this can the system just be modified so you pick your category as you register?
Maybe put in other categories for team boats etc as well if possible? can each category just be assigned a different boat colour?

Page: Previous 1 2 3 4 5 Next

Please login to post a reply.

Races

Next Race: 00d 00h 00m


Current Races:

Sinbad by Balloon 2025 - Carnarvon to Dondra


From here, our home in Bharatavarṣa is now north west of us – said Sinbad to his fellow balloonists. Perhaps we can ride the wind first further north, and then catch the winds that every year bring the rain, perhaps not. It’s 2600nm and we could be aloft awhile, so, Master el-Quarters, victuals only, no sandbags, provisioning the giant hamper. It will be not a picnic!
Race #1886
INFOby brainaid.de
SOL Balloon PARTICULARS
WX Updates:
0430 / 1030 / 1630 / 2230
Ranking: SYC - SBB
Race starts: Oct 15th 11:00 Registration Open!
▶ Flash
GO TO RACE

Alicante TIMED Race 2025

Welcome to beautiful Alicante on Spain’s Costa Blanca. Dine on some local tapas and paella before racing your America’s Cup foiling winged-sail AC72 catamaran on this 208nm race out to and around Isla de Formentera returning to Alicante after rounding the mark at Cap de la Nau. There should be some very fast times! This is a TIMEDrace so you may RE-REGISTER HEREto try again after finishing a run. You will have 13 days and 11 hours to test your skill and decision making after the race opens.
Race #1958
INFOby brainaid.de
AC72v2 Particulars
WX Updates:
0430 / 1030 / 1630 / 2230
Ranking:
TRQ4 - TRCH - SUPSOL - SYC
RACE CLOSE: Saturday,
25 October at 23:00 UTC
Race starts: Oct 12th 12:00 Registration Open!
▶ Flash
GO TO RACE

Marion Island to Fernando de Noronha 2025

The adventure continues as we launch the next to last leg of the RWW series. This leg takes us from Marion Island to Fernando de Noronha, an island in the world heritage archipelago with the same name, 220 nm off the coast of Brazil. This race doubles up as #7 of RWW and #10 of OCCH. A 4400 nm journey of endurance, strategy and pure adrenaline. The RWW series is as whole, part of the 2025 ocean championship. Get ready for this exhilarating challenge as we set sail on the third to last leg of the 2025 Ocean Championship Series! This leg will be raced aboard the Judel Vrolijk 62, pushing sailors to their limits as they navigate the open ocean. Do you have what it takes to conquer the Southern Atlantic? Join us and put your skills to the ultimate test!
PRIZE: SMPF
Race #1955
INFO by brainaid.de
JV 62 PARTICULARS    
WX Updates:
0430 / 1030 / 1630 / 2230    
Ranking: OCQ4 - RWW - OCCH - SUPSOL - SYC
Race starts: Oct 06th 11:00 Registration Closed
▶ Flash
GO TO RACE

Camel or Balloon 2025 - Khartoum to N'Djamena


As there is a lull in the calendar, your PRO has decided to risk an experiment – a balloon race over land, using a workaround to eliminate the recognition of water/land transitions. If it fails, the server may crash, and we abandon PDQ, hopefully after leg 7 of the ABS race to Suez has been decided, and before the start of the 1st OCC of Q4. Camel or Balloon – c 1000 nm from a field on the north bank of the Blue Nile at Khartoum to a field on the north bank of the Chari River at N'Djamena!
Race #1956
INFOby brainaid.de
SOL Balloon PARTICULARS
WX Updates:
0430 / 1030 / 1630 / 2230
Ranking: none
RACE CLOSE: Sunday,
October 26 at 2300 UTC.
Race starts: Sep 28th 09:00 Registration Closed
▶ Flash
GO TO RACE

Go to race archive

SYC Ranking

  1. Sailonline Yacht Club Member vida
  2. Sailonline Yacht Club Member WRmirekd
  3. Sailonline Yacht Club Member KaSToR
  4. Sailonline Yacht Club Member CriticalHippo
  5. Sailonline Yacht Club Member rafa
  6. Sailonline Yacht Club Member Kipper1258
  7. Sailonline Yacht Club Member CollegeFund
  8. Sailonline Yacht Club Member BRENTGRAY
  9. Sailonline Yacht Club Member Sax747
  10. Sailonline Yacht Club Member Panpyc

View full list

Series

Mobile Client

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

The mobile client