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Profile for JimGodders



Name JimGodders
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  • Re: VMC
    Board » General Discussion
    Thanks very much Bimmer. I had seen that article already, and others on the same blog and this is what is leading to my confusion!

    Let's take this article. Outlaw has chosen to VMC to a bearing of 280*. For the given wind conditions, sailing a course over the ground of 307* gets Outlaw furthest down a line drawn from his/her current position on a bearing of 280*, though they will be to starboard of a point on a direct 280* bearing from their current position. Nevertheless, sailing a course of 307* gets them farthest up the 280* bearing.

    Now, I understand that 280* was chosen as this is the TWD that Outlaw will tack at. But this is what I can't quite get my head around. A TWD of 280* seems incorrect - that could happen anywhere along the leg, and not necessarily in the best tacking position. Does he mean he'll tack when the bearing to the mark is 280*? I often see mentioned that a tack/gybe should be done when VMC = VMG. Why is this not a consideration here?

    I feel like this is a missing piece of the puzzle for me, so I'd love to try and understand it better!
  • VMC
    Board » General Discussion
    Hi all,

    I've been reading about a little as I'm looking to improve, and have zeroed in on VMC as an interesting concept. But, for the life of me, I can't seem to get my head round it properly and I have a few questions that I'm sure you fine folks will be able to answer for me.

    As I understand it, sailing to VMC maximises the boat's speed over the ground in the defined direction. Considering 2 boats, starting at the same point at the same time with both wanting to get as far north as they can, if 1 is sails to VMC, they will be further north than the other sailing due north, though the boat sailing to VMC will also be off to the left or right.

    What I'm struggling to understand is how this is useful in racing. I know there's little point in sailing VMC direct to a mark if the wind ins't expected to shift as you'll lose whatever time you've gained on the leg trying to get back to the mark.

    I've seen some suggest that in shifting wind, a reasonable VMC target is to sail to half the shift. I don't understand what this means though. I've tried google but to no avail - this doesn't seem to be a topic that is easily accessable. Could someone please explain what the VMC target would be if trying to get a mark due north, with a wind veering from NW to W over the course of the leg please?
  • Weather Routing
    Board » General Discussion
    Hi all,
    I've joined SOL so I can learn to compete in long ocean races manually rather than use an automated weather router. Problem is, I don't have the foggiest ideaon where to start! I've had a look around the internet, but haven't been able to find anything for beginners to this, other than some blogs such as SOL's 76trombones.

    I appreciate the concepts of VMG and VMC in getting to a point, but at tbr moment I have no idea on where that point should be based on other things such as the weather. A couple of questions I have are:

    - Do you work forwards, i.e. look at where you can be in 6, 12 hours etc, or work backwards and look at where you want to be in 2-3 days and route based on that?
    - Is there some sort of rule about straying to far from the GC? I can't imagine its wise to add an extra 100 miles to the route for an extra half knot of wind.

    I really want to try and get better at this, so any info you have for a begginer would be much appreciated. Also, if anyone is aware of any other media (books or websites etc), that would also be bery helpful!

    Thanks in advance!!

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ORCV Melbourne to Hobart 2024


Welcome to the legendary "Westcoaster," a race that has tested sailors for over 50 years. Spanning 435 nautical miles, this iconic journey takes racers from Melbourne, across the formidable Bass Strait, and around Tasmania's rugged west coast to the finish line in Hobart. Organized by the Ocean Racing Club of Victoria, the Westcoaster is renowned for its challenging conditions and adventurous spirit. This year, our SOLers will tackle the course in the swift and capable First 47.7, a yacht launched by Beneteau in 2000, built for speed and endurance in long ocean races. Get ready for an exhilarating ride in one of Australia’s most celebrated yacht races!
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Christmas in Summer? Ah yes, we are in the southern part of our globe. Moment, 26 December is St. Stephen,'s Day known also as Boxing Day. To celebrate this day SOL invites you to race your Super Maxi 100 in the traditional 625nm run from Sydney to Hobart. This race is Leg 1 of our Double across the often-stormy waters of the Tasman Sea.
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INFO by brainaid.de
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Refeno Rally 2024


Although since 1986 this 300nm course from Recife, Brazil, to Fernando Noronha Island has been run many times IRL, we have only used this route twice in SOL. This time it will be the route of the last race in the ARCH 2024 classification.
Although the winner of the general classification can already be determined, the fight for the next places on the podium should be fierce. There are several contenders and Dofour34 have them at their disposal. Since we are starting in Vida_Maldita's home waters, he will give us a 30-minute handicap. Or maybe we should give it to him? 😊
Race #1865
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Tristan da Cunha TIMED Race 2024

Originally designed by NZL_Scotsman, we head for the remote outpost of Tristan da Cunha where gales and storms may come and go but the sea is everlasting. This 64nm TIMED race has been raced on several occasions before, and this time we will be doing it in Rustler 36s.
RE-REGISTER HERE to race again after finishing a run
Race #1875
INFO by brainaid.de
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The Beagle in the Azores 2024


And west the Beagle went one final time to round the Cape of Good Hope on May 31 1836. Ashore, Darwin met up with the Astronomer Royal, Herschel, who just happened to be in South Africa at the same time mapping the southern skies. After sounding out his many ideas on evolution and extinction with Herschel, the Beagle now sailed north, stopping briefly in St Helena, Ascension and Brazil, and the Cape Verdes again, to reach the Azores on September 19, 1836. Fitzroy and Darwin at this stage were in a hurry to get back to Britain, but online in 2024 we will stay a little longer to explore this final remote archipelago in our virtual Tall Ship Class B Beagle, 630nm round and about the islands, minding as always in these waters not to bump into any large cetaceans!
Race #1758
INFOby brainaid.de
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December 27 at 2300 UTC.
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Christmas(W) to Christmas(E) Island 2024

Two waypoints, start and finish, and between them 5827 NM of two oceans. Not much time if we want to sit at the Christmas Eve table. You will need to maintain an average speed of over 10 knots, so prepare your 90ft well and choose the best of the many possible routes. Hands up everyone who knew there were TWO Christmas Islands?! OK, maybe you have sailed this Sailonline course before... but it's time to get ready for the 2024 challenge of a reversed race, starting in the Indian Ocean, racing to the Christmas Island in the Pacific! It also marks the conclusion of our prestigious Ocean Race Championship 2024. Please have fun! Fair winds!
PRIZE: SMPF
Race #1868
INFO by brainaid.de
90ft Monohull PARTICULARS
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Ranking: OCQ4 - OCCH - SUPSOL - SYC
Race starts: Dec 02nd 11:00 Registration Closed
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