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Profile for dtayls



Name dtayls
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Posts29
  • 2020-10-03 04:41:53
    Re: qtVlm thread
    Board » Technical Support
    Interesting. I wasn't aware of the 'selection tool'. I'll have to give it a go.
  • 2020-10-03 04:34:24
    Re: Weather - Brain Storm
    Board » General Discussion
    I agree with you @Zorba that "random factors should come from the weather itself".

    As you know I like the idea of using a different and more accurate model (perhaps ECMWF) for the underlying simulation but that might depend on gaining access to a high quality model to which most users do not have access.

    Another approach might be to introduce a certain degree of randomness in to the simulation's weather model, but what should the source of this randomness be?

    One option would be to choose a random mix of two or more models. This could be (a) fixed for the whole race or (b) change over time or (c) vary by lat&lon across the GRIB or (d) both meaning <x,y,t>.

    If model volatility or uncertainty GRIBs were available then this could also be used to add a little to the randomness model but I suspect many would consider this to be a step too far :-)
  • 2020-10-01 03:03:21
    Re: Weather - Brain Storm
    Board » General Discussion
    While they do indeed say "you will need to accept the terms of the ECMWF Standard licence and pay for the associated data and handling costs." what if that cost was $0 or the equivalent in Euros? I think you will find that their licensing model depends very much on how the data is to be used. The fact that SOL is a not-for-profit, that the data would not be made available for download to end users, and that we would not require 24x7 support might all have a big impact on the quoted price. Maybe someone should contact them and request a quote.

    As it stands in SOL we are given perfect weather information for each 6 hour window which is a little unrealistic. What's more, some people know the idiosyncrasies of how the SOL server interprets the data and are therefore able to use that knowledge to their advantage. Is this really fair? And given that we allow this and the use of routers then we'd might as well allow full autopilot control of our boats!

    If there is instability in in the weather then I would expect the underlying weather to reflect that and probably differ from the predictions. Those who understand the weather the best will generally make the best decisions and may even have a chance at winning over those who can drive the tools to perfection.

    Ideally the underlying weather model used in the SOL simulation is based on the most accurate available. But some people may have access to this unless we 'rule' it out. So maybe we could also introduce some variations in to areas where the model is unstable. Again, this could be fun :-)
  • 2020-09-29 00:27:13
    Re: Weather - Brain Storm
    Board » General Discussion
    VIbex: The key to my idea is to use an underlying weather model for the simulation which powers our virtual boats that is different from the predictions available to SOL competitors.

    I agree when you say "we're not actually living on the boats so you need some measure of predictability" but I don't think that means we need to be able to 100% predict the weather.

    When the weather is very stable and highly predictable then the models will likely be very closely aligned. In those cases it might be safe to sail very close to a mark or an island, but when the weather is less stable you might choose a wider safety margin over absolute performance.

    As for the question of using 'rules' to control which models can or can't be used, there is always going to be someone who wants to cheat.

    Ideally, I like the idea of using something like a pre-release beta version of the ECMWF model not generally available except to researchers, if such a thing exists. Another alternative might be a psuedo-random merge of multiple model GRIBs ... This could be a fun project :-)
  • 2020-09-27 00:57:45
    Re: Weather - Brain Storm
    Board » General Discussion
    ij said @ 2020-09-10 20:03:13:
    Also, they explicitly mention not-for-profits in their license selection guidance so you're just dreaming and there's little point in trying to ask anything from them.
    --
    i.

    Is it possible to get access to the ECMWF model for internal use only on the server while using the GFS model in the gribs provided to users?

    It seems to me that this would fit the licencing requirements for the not-for-profit use of the real-time ECMWF data.

    It would also be closer to reality in that the underlying model used on the server would be different to the forecasts available to users.

    There may also be a need for a new SOL rule that makes it illegal to use commercial paid-for products not available to all users for free.

    I think this would make for some more interesting racing.
  • 2020-09-26 12:13:06
    Re: AGL14 Releases
    Board » Technical Discussion
    dtayls said @ 2020-09-07 04:13:07:
    14.2.3 doesn't seem to automatically download GRIBs anymore :-(


    Looks like this only affected the Mel-to-Osaka race. Seems to work perfectly in other races. How bizarre!
  • 2020-09-26 11:32:29
    Merge of steering and DC tabs
    Board » General Discussion
    I really like @Zorba's idea of merging the 'steering' and 'DC' tabs. Maybe allow for 8-10 lines of DCs bacause if anyone is using more then they are probably using other tools to generate them.

    It would also help to be able to set an actual time rather than just a delay period.
  • 2020-09-26 11:26:04
    Extended predictors - Suggestion re the hourly indicators
    Board » General Discussion
    Love the new extended predictors. Thanks @ij.

    One small suggestion: Hourly indicators are open circles. Perhaps fill every 6-hourly circle to make a large dot. This would help in interpreting the longer predictors.

    The longer predictors will be really helpful when training up those new to SOL. The curly-whirly patterns can be very instructive.
  • 2020-09-07 04:13:07
    Re: AGL14 Releases
    Board » Technical Discussion
    14.2.3 doesn't seem to automatically download GRIBs anymore :-(

    This might help explain it:

    Exception in thread "Thread-1" java.lang.NullPointerException
    at grib.GribFactory.waitForGrib(GribFactory.java:215)
    at grib.GribFactory.run(GribFactory.java:146)
    at java.base/java.lang.Thread.run(Unknown Source)


    --- Last Edited by dtayls at 2020-09-07 04:30:17 ---
  • 2020-04-22 23:11:23
    Re: Poetry Saved for Posterity
    Board » General Discussion
    Pushing haiku to new limits:

    Laozi *pokes
    bonknhoot
    what the *

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The echoes of New Year's Eve parties have already faded away. The world welcomed the new 2025 and said goodbye to the old 2024. Still silently reflecting on what the next days will bring. For us and our Super Maxi 100 V2, it's time to return to Sydney, again waiting for us 625 NM of difficult sailing through the always demanding waters of the Tasman Sea. So goodbye Hobart, we will come back here again to celebrate another new year 2026 together. In the meantime, Happy New Year 2025!!!
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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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Tasman Double 2024 - Sydney to Hobart

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.
Race #1876
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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!
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90ft Monohull PARTICULARS
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