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 » Technical Support » Is there a test server?

Posted by
bc


Users avatar

Posts
10
Registered at
2011-10-31 03:32:01
2012-01-14 15:34:23 - Is there a test server?
Here is the situation: twice now I've loaded up my course prior to a race start (6/8 hours before)than log in a few hours after the start to find that I'm still at the starting line. The first time I figured it was cockpit error, maybe didn't covert the time correctly or something.

This time (start of SWR leg 3) I was careful to verify course and time. Heading 30 minutes prior to 10:00z was set to 33 degrees, again at 10:00:01z (just in case) another course set of 33 degrees. There were multiple course updates after that.

When I woke this morning and checked the progress I was still at the starting line. I can see that my list of changes had been executed up to the current time but I was still in irons at the start. I manually set my course and it started fine and auto course changes are being executed now without an issue.

I'm still trying to wrap my brain around how this could happen. I'm certain I read in the manual that after the toe back to the start area (1 hour prior to the start) that course headings could be entered and the boat would hold that position until the start. Just to make sure this time I didn't even do practice racing prior to the start so I was already in the starting area.

The fact that the course change list had incremented leads me to think this is server side but even if the headings prior to the start time were ignored (and I doubt they were)the 10:00:01 and following headings should have worked.

On the other hand, I don't see how this could be client side because the the course was loaded via Brainaid's DC editor and the client listed the course in the course list.

SO, Is there a test server/race anywhere where I can set up starts to try and duplicate/debug this anomaly OR does anyone have any suggestions why this might have happened and how to avoid it in the future?

Bruce


--- Last Edited by bc at 2012-01-14 15:38:41 ---
Posted by
RainbowChaser


Users avatar

Posts
2656
Registered at
2009-06-14 09:44:50
2012-01-14 20:44:39 - Re: Is there a test server?
Hi bc - sorry to hear you are having problems with start DCs. I am not on the Devt/Tech side but I can confirm that there isn't a test side for SOLers to use.. practising setting DCs during pre-race practice is always good and can highlight issues. Needing to set start DCs for the informal evening short practice races really sorts out problems!

Best I can suggest is, apart from your joining in Practice Races, that for your next race you upload your start DC, refresh the DC tab so they are all listed completely in SOL and then take a screenshot.

Then... if you can't see anything amiss and your DCs fail to start you, you have a pic of what was set to post here in Forum.

More than one pair of eyes is always good!

I think you know this but its worth resaying for others to be reminded... the DC you set for your race start MUST be firing within the 1hr towback time or precisely at the start-time for it to fire correctly. So, for example, if race start is 1000utc.. then your DC must be set to fire from 0901 to 1000utc on race day for your boat to start at 1000utc.

It is always frustrating when one can't find out what is happening... but rest assured.. we've all been there!! There will be an answer and we will find out what it is :-)
___________________


--- Last Edited by RainbowChaser at 2012-01-14 20:46:31 ---
Posted by
bc


Users avatar

Posts
10
Registered at
2011-10-31 03:32:01
2012-01-14 23:02:57 - Re: Is there a test server?
Hi RainbowChaser,

Thanks for the reply. Yes I did know about having to have a DC set within the hour of start. I set mine for 30 minutes before. Again, its probably cockpit issues, if it were a server bug I wouldn't be the only one experiencing it. The screen shot is a great idea for next time around.

I didn't know about "evening practice races" though. Are they announced somewhere? That would be ideal for testing.

Thanks again for the help. Hope you catch your rainbow, saw one end over an Irish pub once. Didn't find a pot of gold but the beer was really good :)
Posted by
mustang_sally


Users avatar

Posts
24
Registered at
2011-04-23 14:01:51
2012-01-16 18:10:14 - Re: Is there a test server?
bc, Try this.... on the home page it has a countdown to the start of the next race.
For example if it says 6 hours to go, set your DC to start the race in 5.5 hours,
So set it for 30 mins before what ever it says.

OR, When setting DC use the clock on the instrument panel.
You don't have to convert any time then.
Remember if the race starts at 10.00 utc you don't try and convert it so your DC goes off at 10.00 your time.

--- Last Edited by mustang_sally at 2012-01-16 18:10:50 ---

--- Last Edited by mustang_sally at 2012-01-16 18:16:42 ---
Posted by
RainbowChaser


Users avatar

Posts
2656
Registered at
2009-06-14 09:44:50
2012-01-16 18:48:34 - Re: Is there a test server?
bc - evening practice races are a very informal affair but everyone is v welcome to join in!

If you go back to the Forum main page you will find one called "Practice Racing"...and if you have a look at what has gone before you will get an idea of how they work.

V sociable, great chance to practise a new polar/how to SOL... the races are in the UTC evenings during pre-race practice and start close-ish to SOL start so folks can join in.

There are also some Notes on how to race posted in the Forum - they are pretty much up to date but, as I say, it is all fairly relaxed - folks can join in halfway etc!

Look forward to seeing you there!!

:-)
Posted by
Rod


Users avatar

Posts
392
Registered at
2010-06-24 22:30:48
2012-01-20 17:41:29 - Re: Discrepancies needing repair
At my current position, the upper right of the screen shows the wind at 3.5 kn @ 41.3 deg, while the bar across the bottom shows 5.23 Kn @ 357.78, both at my boat position. Is there some problem here or am I mis-reading something?

p.s. When I got back to my boat from the forum page, the wind speed had corrected itself so that both indications were reading the same. Is this normal?

--- Last Edited by Rod at 2012-01-20 17:46:39 ---
If it breaks, it's not strong enough--if it doesn't, it's too heavy.
Posted by
NZL_undercover


Users avatar

Posts
65
Registered at
2009-07-31 03:29:32
2012-01-21 15:59:54 - Re: Is there a test server?
.

--- Last Edited by NZL_undercover at 2012-01-21 16:00:50 ---
Posted by
Rod


Users avatar

Posts
392
Registered at
2010-06-24 22:30:48
2012-01-21 18:31:15 - Re: Is there a test server?
..

--- Last Edited by Rod at 2012-01-21 18:31:41 ---
The same phenomenon occurred again--refreshing the screen eliminated it--does this mean that screen info is unreliable unless immediately following a refresh???

--- Last Edited by Rod at 2012-01-21 20:15:59 ---
If it breaks, it's not strong enough--if it doesn't, it's too heavy.
Posted by
76Trombones


Users avatar

Posts
362
Registered at
2009-08-03 18:04:56
2012-01-21 22:03:55 - Re: Is there a test server?
Hi Rod - maybe check you system clock, which can introduce small errors.

The instruments come straight from the server, so are correct. The calculation for the cursor is done by your own computer, so the clock settings make a difference. In fast shifts and in particular areas on the map you can sometimes see mismatches, but for the most part you can ignore them.

The other thing that might be going on is that the instruments are showing "old" data due to a slow connection. I've had a few issues with dropping the connection to SOL this year (You can monitor using advanced browser tools). Refresh always fixes it.

Please login to post a reply.

Races

Next Race: 00d 00h 00m

Current Races:

Vasco da Gama Ocean Race 2025

Sailonline is proud to partner with the Royal Natal Yacht Club for the 2025 Vasco da Gama Ocean Race—South Africa’s oldest coastal ocean race! Covering 254 nautical miles from Durban to East London, this iconic route is known for rough seas, strong currents, and serious strategy. Our virtual fleet will be racing in the fierce Farr 40, a proven offshore performer. With history, endurance, and camaraderie on the line, it’s time to honour Vasco’s legacy—see you on the start line!
Race #1908
INFO from brainaid.de
Farr 40 PARTICULARS
WX Updates:
0430 / 1030 / 1630 / 2230
Ranking: SYC
Race starts: May 25th 08:00 Registration Open!
▶ Flash
GO TO RACE

Red Eye - Bimini Beach Run 2025

This time of year, already it is balmy in the Bahamas and the Biminis, if ever it is not; so let’s try and get some “Red Eye” enjoying the fine weather and a warm night, racing our appropriately luxurious and bombastic Gunboat 90, as always our craft of choice for this 250nm beach-running, island-hopping SOL classic through this multihull mecca!
Race #1845
INFOby brainaid.de
GB 90 PARTICULARS
NAM_AWIP WX Updates:
0245 / 0845 / 1445 / 2045
Ranking: SYC - RED
RACE CLOSE: Friday,
May 30 at 2300 UTC.
Race starts: May 22nd 12:00 Registration Open!
▶ Flash
GO TO RACE

Africa by Sea - Abidjan to Swakopmund


Our exploration of Africa by Sea continues. Next, it’s off to Swakopmund, on the water’s edge of the Kalahari desert. It’s a wind-blasted coast, and a venue of choice for those seeking to set wind-powered speed records. More likely than not, we’ll have to beat into it in our Steinlager II, to finally find some shelter behind the walls of Platz am Meer where there is a marina of sorts. Only 2200nm!
Race #1856
INFOby brainaid.de
Steinlager II PARTICULARS
WX Updates:
0430 / 1030 / 1630 / 2230
Ranking: SYC - ABS
Race starts: May 14th 17:00 Registration Closed
▶ Flash
GO TO RACE

Channel Islands TIMED Chase 2025

Join us in Saint Peter Port, Guernsey for a race around the Channel Islands in the J-109, a recent addition to the Sailonline fleet. The course takes us around the islands of Alderney and Jersey finishing back in Saint Peter Port. This is a TIMED race, so you may RE-REGISTER HERE to 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 #1915
INFO by brainaid.de
J-109 PARTICULARS
WX Updates:
0430 / 1030 / 1630 / 2230
Ranking:
TRQ2 - TRCH - SUPSOL - SYC
RACE CLOSE: Saturday,
24 May at 23:00 UTC
Race starts: May 11th 12:00 Registration Open!
▶ Flash
GO TO RACE

Elephant Island to Marquesas 2025

Prepare to test your limits as we launch into the third leg of the RWW Series and the fifth leg of the 2025 Ocean Championship Series—an epic voyage from Elephant Island to the Marquesas in the heart of French Polynesia. This 4,700-nautical-mile challenge is a true test of endurance, strategy, and raw sailing adrenaline. Aboard the high-performance Volvo 70v4, competitors will face fierce headwinds as they round the legendary Cape Horn and make the thrilling transition from the Atlantic to the Pacific. Do you have what it takes to conquer the Pacific? Join us, and put your skills to the ultimate test.
PRIZE: SMPF
Race #1909
INFO by brainaid.de
VO70_v4 PARTICULARS
WX Updates:
0430 / 1030 / 1630 / 2230
Ranking: OCQ2 - RWW - OCCH - SUPSOL - SYC
Race starts: May 05th 11:00 Registration Closed
▶ Flash
GO TO RACE

Go to race archive

SYC Ranking

  1. Sailonline Yacht Club Member Patrick70119
  2. Sailonline Yacht Club Member WRmirekd
  3. Sailonline Yacht Club Member CriticalHippo
  4. Sailonline Yacht Club Member KaSToR
  5. Sailonline Yacht Club Member FreyjaUSA
  6. Sailonline Yacht Club Member rafa
  7. Sailonline Yacht Club Member Kipper1258
  8. Sailonline Yacht Club Member bonknhoot
  9. Sailonline Yacht Club Member rumskib
  10. Sailonline Yacht Club Member vida

View full list

Series

Mobile Client

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

The mobile client