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 » Flag Officers » Race proposals » The Amazon River

Posted by
Rod


Users avatar

Posts
392
Registered at
2010-06-24 22:30:48
2011-03-25 03:09:21 - The Amazon River
Just out of curiosity on the IMOCA run up the Atlantic, I took a look at the Amazon River as a possible race.
It would be unique, in that nobody could stay awake for that length of time, and therefore the boats would need to be anchored while the sailor slept. It would therefore be a race of endurance, rather than navigational skill, and forecasting the winds would play no role whatsoever.
If it breaks, it's not strong enough--if it doesn't, it's too heavy.
Posted by
RainbowChaser


Users avatar

Posts
2656
Registered at
2009-06-14 09:44:50
2011-03-25 10:51:38 - Re: The Amazon River
Rod - what a great idea!!! Navigating up the Amazon... I have just had a snoop and it has huge potential!

Have you got waypoints in mind? Because of the length of the river (in actuality about 4000mi) our Amazon expedition would have to take the slot of an ocean race... unless it were broken up into different segments.

NICE THINKING!!! :-D

I love race ideas that highlight the sheer versatility of SOL! Would be fun to buddy-up with a school or college doing an Amazonian project (or am I getting ahead of myself)!!

What do others think?

--- Last Edited by RainbowChaser at 2011-03-25 10:52:18 ---
Posted by
Rod


Users avatar

Posts
392
Registered at
2010-06-24 22:30:48
2011-03-25 14:24:01 - Re: The Amazon River
I had thought of it as one single run from the Mouthes of the Amazon to the headwaters (as per map). But you are right, this would make it equivalent in time to a major ocean race.
My main thought was the lack of navigation and wind prediction components. It could be split up into several weekend races.
It would not be greatly different from the present Lake Malaren Race.

--- Last Edited by Rod at 2011-03-25 14:25:15 ---
If it breaks, it's not strong enough--if it doesn't, it's too heavy.
Posted by
ShamrockPirate


Users avatar

Posts
189
Registered at
2010-12-03 17:49:57
2011-03-25 21:54:38 - Re: The Amazon River
Rod, a very interesting concept. I think the separate races would be better than one long one to make up a series. On a long Amazonian trek, you could not easily set DCs for any length of time away and it would get frustrating.

Also, looking in GE, it will be tough to map as the resolution is quite variable. Perhaps try a few segments and see what they look like in the SOL maps.

RC, what a great idea to partner with a school doing a geography or life science project!
Cool idea!

SP
Posted by
NZL_PaulR


Users avatar

Posts
311
Registered at
2008-07-22 12:21:30
2011-03-28 10:13:12 - Re: The Amazon River
Very Interesting idea.

Perhaps some river flow / current to deal with, perhaps having to choose a narrow vs wider section of river that could have different flow strengths.

Add some foggy and rain downpours where one loses sight of the land at times could add that little touch of surprise, confusion and difficulty.

Leave out snakes, cougars, mosquitos, other biting animals, reptiles and all bugs that lay eggs in your body until the lavae hatch and eat their way out!!
If it breaks, it's not strong enough!
Posted by
76Trombones


Users avatar

Posts
362
Registered at
2009-08-03 18:04:56
2011-03-28 12:57:26 - Re: The Amazon River
I had this one in my queue of race ideas to propose as well! Provisional title "Surf na Pororoca" after the tidal bore competition/festival. (see youtube)

Was going to suggest either a 24 or 48h "endurance" race, using the ability to take the ranking when a race is closed, rather than have a finish line.

Average windspeed <3knots though... for a timed race I think we'd want something along the lines of SOL's tender. There won't be much windspeed strategy anyways, so maybe just taking it out of the equation altogether wouldn't be bad for one (slightly unusual) race?

The other option seems to be a very long (weeks) race in a "normal" boat.

Insane yes... ;-)

Posted by
Smo


Users avatar

Posts
80
Registered at
2009-05-02 21:49:04
2011-03-29 05:42:12 - Re: The Amazon River
More insane always better what a great fun to race Amazone
Posted by
Flaxie


Users avatar

Posts
13
Registered at
2009-08-20 10:09:55
2011-04-01 22:05:45 - Re: The Amazon River
In similar vane, does anyone have the polars for a felucca on the Nile?! Or a Chinese junk up the Yangtse? We could then have a River Series to go with the lakes, seas and oceans. I guess there are no polars for a paddlesteamer on the Mississippi though!
Posted by
RainbowChaser


Users avatar

Posts
2656
Registered at
2009-06-14 09:44:50
2011-04-11 08:48:49 - Re: The Amazon River
Rod - any progress on this? A kmz Google Earth file would be great... showing the different start/finish points etc. Then we can get this set up and start running it!!

:-D

Let us know if you need any further help with this.

Please login to post a reply.

Races

Next Race: 00d 00h 00m

Current Races:

Tall Ships 2026 - Aarhus to Harlingen


Welcome to the first of four virtual Tall Ships Races in European waters which are concurrently being organized in-real-life by Sail Training International . The course for this first race is from Aarhus in Denmark, through the Skaggerak and down the North Sea to Friesland’s Harlingen – a proper tall ship training adventure of circa 450nm, which online this year you will race in Sailonline’s classic Clipper 240.
NOTE: Starts and Finishes in tall ships racing are always offshore to avoid conflict with shipping and shipping lanes; online and real-life may not match exactly.
Race #1992
INFO by brainaid.de
Clipper 240 PARTICULARS
WX Updates:
0430 / 1030 / 1630 / 2230
Ranking: TSI - SUPBUD - SYC
Race starts: Jun 27th 16:00 Registration Open!
▶ Flash
GO TO RACE

Viareggio Bastia Viareggio 2026

Our sixth race of nine to celebrate all things Mediterranean - fickle winds, history and olive oil - was planned to be our third buddy-up with another incredible Italian event, the Viareggio Bastia Viareggio (or BVR for short). Unfortunately, in-real-life the BVR has been cancelled this year. But online we shall race it never the less. It’s a quickie – a 160nm roundtrip there-and-back in classic Class 40. Have fun, and if you’re planning a BBQ, piccola isola Capraia halfway across is simply lovely!
Race #2041
INFO by brainaid.de
Class 40 PARTICULARS
WX Updates:
0430 / 1030 / 1630 / 2230
Ranking: MED - SUPBUD - SYC
Race starts: Jun 24th 12:00 Registration Open!

▶ Flash
GO TO RACE

Shetland Race 2026 - Leg 2


After the thrill of the first leg, we don't linger long in Lerwick, Shetland. Following brief but joyous celebrations, it's time to set sail back across the North Sea to Bergen, Norway, for the gripping second leg of the Shetland Race 2026!

Covering another unpredictable 190 nautical miles, tactical depth and fierce competition await. This year, we take the helm of the Linjett 33. Designed by Mats Gustavsson in 1994 for Sweden's historic Rosättra Båtvarv, this sturdy, quality cruiser-racer has been a Sailonline favourite in northern waters since 2010. Whether you are chasing victory or savoring the voyage, hoist your sails and let the journey home begin!
Race #2040
INFO by brainaid.de
Linjett 33 PARTICULARS
WX Updates:
0430 / 1030 / 1630 / 2230
Ranking:
SHE - RED - SUPBUD - SYC
Race starts: Jun 20th 16:00 Registration Closed
▶ Flash
GO TO RACE

Brisbane to Keppel Tropical Yacht Race 2026


When the winter weather turns cool in southern Australia, sailors head up to the warmer tropics. Sailors from all over the world make their way to The Great Barrier Reef for the big winter regattas at Hamilton Island, Airlie Beach and Magnetic Island.
This year's B2K will start on 20 June to offer an event suited to a broader range of boats. Sailonline is, once again, joining with the racers from RQYS to race the 343 nautical miles from Brisbane to Keppel Island, this time in our First 44.7. It might be winter down under, but all you will need is shorts and t-shirts.
Race #2026
INFO by brainaid.de
First 44.7 PARTICULARS
WX Updates:
0430 / 1030 / 1630 / 2230
Ranking: SUPBUD - SYC
RACE CLOSE: Sunday,
June 28 at 2300 UTC.
Race starts: Jun 20th 01:00 Registration Open!
▶ Flash
GO TO RACE

Newport Bermuda Race 2026


The 636-mile Newport Bermuda Race is one of the oldest regularly scheduled ocean races, and with the Fastnet and the Sydney Hobart Race, it is one of the three great classic races of the yachting world. First raced in 1906, now in its 54th biennial, the Race can again also be participated in online. In real life, the race is open to entry in four different division – Double-Handed, St. David's Lighthouse, Gibbs Hill Lighthouse, and Finisterre Division – which in the past we have also offered online. This year, however, our online race will be all-in one-design in silky swift Club Swan 50 yachts, so that your results can count towards SOL’s SUPerBUDdy title, whilst hopefully still giving you a chance of overall line honours against the fastest yachts of the real-life Gibbs Hill Division, especially if you can find some forecast winds that don’t quite work out that way on the real water!
Race #2038
INFOby brainaid.de
Club Swan 50 PARTICULARS
WX Updates:
0430 / 1030 / 1630 / 2230
Ranking: SUPBUD - SYC
RACE CLOSE: Wednesday,
July 1 at 2300 UTC.
Race starts: Jun 19th 17:05 Registration Open!
▶ Flash
GO TO RACE

Shetland Race 2026 - Leg 1


Get ready to tackle the North Sea as we sail from Norway’s stunning outer Korsfjorden to the rugged Shetland Isles! Welcome to an exciting new chapter for this classic 190-nautical-mile ocean route, bringing our global community together for a true test of strategy and seamanship.

This year, the race is a proud stop in Sailonline's 2026 Super Buddy Championship, which features our real-life racing partnerships over the calendar year. We are stepping aboard the Linjett 33, a sturdy Swedish cruiser-racer designed by Mats Gustavsson and built by Rosättra Båtvarv. Seasoned veteran or eager newcomer, prepare for intense competition.

Plot your course and see you at the start line!
Race #2039
INFO by brainaid.de
Linjett 33 PARTICULARS
WX Updates:
0430 / 1030 / 1630 / 2230
Ranking:
SHE - RED - SUPBUD - SYC
RACE CLOSE: Wednesday,
June 24 at 2300 UTC.
Race starts: Jun 17th 11:00 Registration Closed
▶ Flash
GO TO RACE

Bluefin Tuna - Mexico Gulf to North Sea 2026

Join us and follow the Bluefin Tuna, as they migrate from their spawning grounds in the Gulf of Mexico to their feeding grounds in the North Sea off the coast of Norway. This 4300 nm race is part of our Ocean Championship and the final race of OCQ2 2026, and also the second leg of our Migration series. We will be sailing in our Gunboat 90. Race #2035
INFO by brainaid.de
Gunboat 90 PARTICULARS
WX Updates:
0430 / 1030 / 1630 / 2230
Ranking: OCQ2 - MIG - OCCH - SYC
Race starts: Jun 08th 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 KaSToR
  3. Sailonline Yacht Club Member CriticalHippo
  4. Sailonline Yacht Club Member bonknhoot
  5. Sailonline Yacht Club Member Panpyc
  6. Sailonline Yacht Club Member rafa
  7. Sailonline Yacht Club Member cdhinman
  8. Sailonline Yacht Club Member HoratioPugwash
  9. Sailonline Yacht Club Member YANN
  10. Sailonline Yacht Club Member ms0689

View full list

Series

Mobile Client

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

The mobile client