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 » VOR, Vestas incident & report.

Post annotated by kroppyer-admin :
(Edited to shorten link)
Viva all,

Good morning.

I strongly recommend all to read this:

"VOLVO OCEAN RACE INDEPENDENT REPORT INTO THE STRANDING OF VESTAS WIND".

Link:
www.volvooceanrace.com/...team-vestas-wind-inquiry-report-released-on-9-march-2015.pdf

João/psail
Sail Fair.
Viva Huib,

Thank you for the post "weight loss" cure (this long links really tend to escape the screen's right side).

João/psail
Sail Fair.
I am not ever likely to need the "Guide" to plan an ocean voyage/race....but I would like to make a related comment about SOL.
The Sol program was developed originally as part of a course in yacht design, to allow the students' work to be evaluated. However it has become a "computer game" for many people in which they try to use the mechanics of the game to 'win' bragging rights. For others, it is a way of practicing tactics for sailboat racing.
For many, however, it forms an educational program in reading the weather for the beginning sailor.
For all of these groups, there is a marked deficiency in the "chart" upon which we sail.
Is it not possible to use a more realistic chart that includes most of the hazards to navigation that must be avoided by any "real" sailor, such as the reefs and shallows which are such a major part of any "real" voyage at sea? The Vestas report shows clearly the importance of the "charts" on which we "sail".
Rod
If it breaks, it's not strong enough--if it doesn't, it's too heavy.
Yes Rod, using more realistic nautical charts would hugely improve the educational value of sol wrt navigation. but we have to be careful that sol remains accessible for the masses, not only the ones that are (a) experienced in navigation or (b) willing to invest time in their navigational skills.

I'm sure there's a middle way that solves this problem: nautical charts, but no requirement to understand every element of it to successfully sail a race (by using our own very simple and clear "you can sail in this area, not in this area"-two-colour-map as overlay for example)

While sailing on sailonline, I would really like to have some more detail of the region where I'm sailing. There's lots of reefs, shallows, bridges, etc. etc. that we're missing out on. Problem is, when I'm not online, I really like not having to worry about all these things. I'm not able to spend as much time online during the week as I would be able to spend on deck during and actual IRL sail.

Then of course, there's the technical side: we need a world map where there is a clear divide between "navigable waters" and "running aground" so that the computer can understand. As far as I know, the map we are currently using (GSHHG) is one of the best that is available at reasonable cost (in this case: free). In the best case, the process of changing to another map is a lot of work and needs a lot of testing. We are slowly moving towards a situation where we hope to be a bit more flexible, but its hard work. At some point in the future it may be possible to show some more detail in the map, but there is a lot to do before we get to that situation.

--- Last Edited by kroppyer at 2017-11-05 10:58:50 ---
Dear Rod,

Viva.

Yes, very pertinent comments about this topic.

I quote you: “For others, it is a way of practicing tactics for sailboat racing.
For many, however, it forms an educational program in reading the weather for the beginning sailor.
For all of these groups, there is a marked deficiency in the "chart" upon which we sail.”, (sic).

I can’t agree more with you, long before the released “Vestas” report but, previously to the charts and weather learning & reading there are very basic things we must all learn, understand and comply.

I’m sure you will.
discarding ziggy points or not Forum post

A Big Hug

João/psail


--- Last Edited by RainbowChaser at 2017-11-21 20:22:19 ---
Sail Fair.

Please login to post a reply.

Races

Next Race: 00d 00h 00m


Current Races:

Raja Muda Selangor 2026 - Port Klang to Pangkor

Sailonline is delighted to be able to offer online sailors an opportunity to once again compete in all three of the offshore races of the Raja Muda Selangor International race week, organised by the Royal Selangor Yacht Club in association with the RORC, and commencing with a 75nm trip from Port Klang to Pangkor. This year we will be racing this race, and the other two, which together will count towards our Sailonline Raja Muda Series (RMI), in X-332s.
Be careful at the Pangkor Island marina – there are tidal currents of 1-2 knots, which make mooring to floating docks quite tricky.
Race #2070
INFO by brainaid.de
X-332 PARTICULARS
WX Updates:
0430 / 1030 / 1630 / 2230
Ranking:
RMI - RED - SUPBUD - SYC
Race starts: Nov 14th 04:00 Registration will open soon

▶ Flash
GO TO RACE

Skimmer Dragonfly - India to East Africa 2026


In the autumn, when the rains stop and the tourists thicken in Goa and along the north western coast of India, globe skimming dragonfly climb to the skies (up to 1500m) to catch the high-altitude ITCZ winds and glide south west to East Africa. We’ll stay at sea level, where alas the winds will be less predictable, and race them there, the whole 2400nm of the way, in Carkeek 40s.
Race #2062
INFOby brainaid.de
Carkeek 40 PARTICULARS
WX Updates:
0430 / 1030 / 1630 / 2230
Ranking: MIG - SYC
Race starts: Nov 11th 11:00 Registration Open!
▶ Flash
GO TO RACE

Fiji TIMED Race 2026

Welcome to Fiji for this month’s TIMED race. Sail our 90 foot Monohull over the almost 200nm course beginning in Lucala Bay and ending in Labasa in your attempt to turn in the fastest time.
This is a TIMEDrace so you may RE-REGISTER HEREto try again after finishing a run. You will have two weeks to test your skill and decision making after the race opens.
Race #2069
INFOby brainaid.de
PARTICULARS
WX Updates:
0430 / 1030 / 1630 / 2230
Ranking:
TRQ4 - TRCH - SYC
RACE CLOSE: Saturday,
21 November at 23:00 UTC
Race starts: Nov 08th 12:00 Registration Open!
▶ Flash
GO TO RACE

Bar-Tailed Godwit - Alaska to New Zealand 2026


Welcome to the autumn return flight of our bar-tailed Godwit, reflecting the bird's annual migratory route. This is the penultimate leg in our migration series. (The concluding leg is coming up simultaneously, 'Skimmer Dragonfly', start on the 11th of November. Not part of the 2026 OCCH). This race, at hand, is the next to last leg of the 2026 Ocean Race Championship. The voyage promises to be not only a test of skill and strategy but an immersive experience in the beauty of the vast Central Pacific Ocean. Join us as we push the boundaries of seafaring prowess on this epic adventure.
Let's fly like a Godwit!
Race #2065
INFOby brainaid.de
GunBoat 90 PARTICULARS
WX Updates:
0430 / 1030 / 1630 / 2230
Ranking:
OCQ4 - OCCH - SYC - MIG
Race starts: Nov 02nd 11:00 Registration Closed
▶ Flash
GO TO RACE

Mad Max by Balloon 2026 - Across the Outback


Mad Max Rockatansky doesn’t get to go in a balloon in any of the Legends of the Wasteland, and the Wasteland is not necessarily the Outback of Australia, but Mel Gibson and film director George Miller indubitably are… of Australia, and ballooning as reconnaissance is a main feature of the Mad Max spin-off video game, so here goes: 1500nm in a balloon from somewhere on the edge of the Outback, Goondiwindi, to cross a finish line at Fitzroy Crossing, somewhere on the edge of the Outback!
Race #1974
INFOby brainaid.de
SOL Balloon PARTICULARS
WX Updates:
0430 / 1030 / 1630 / 2230
Ranking: BOL - SYC
RACE CLOSE: Tuesday,
November 17 at 2300 UTC.
Race starts: Oct 14th 13:00 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 rafa
  4. Sailonline Yacht Club Member rumskib
  5. Sailonline Yacht Club Member cdhinman
  6. Sailonline Yacht Club Member rthinman
  7. Sailonline Yacht Club Member Panpyc
  8. Sailonline Yacht Club Member BRENTGRAY
  9. Sailonline Yacht Club Member brandystrega
  10. Sailonline Yacht Club Member Sax747

View full list

Series

Mobile Client

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

The mobile client