Sailonline - computer navigation
Dec 19, 2020 11:01:07 GMT
Post by hoppy on Dec 19, 2020 11:01:07 GMT
Has anyone here tried using the online sail racing simulator?
sailonline.org/
I never bothered because I had no interest in online "games" but once I learned about it (Bored in Covid lockdown) I learn't that it was not really a game, but a navigation simulation tool that has great benefits for any sailor, whether they race or cruise, to try, learn and improve their whether routing navigation.
Sailonline uses real GFS weather forecast gribs and you sail in real time. Usually they have one type of boat for each race using its polars. Like in the real world, there is a new grib update every 6 hours and you are effectively at the nav station planning the next 6 hours routing.
There are many professional navigators, yacht designers and experienced racers who "play" sailonline.
For me, the biggest bonus is the way you can connect the "game" to your computer navigation software.
I had OpenCPN on my computer for many years and had connected it to my old boats instruments. However when I was sailing, I never had time to experiment with OpenCPN and at home or even at anchor, there is a limit to what you can do.
By connecting OpenCPN & QtVlm to Sailonline, I received the NMEA data, including AIS, of my "yacht" and could upload the SOL GFS files. It's given me the ability to learn how to use these navigation tools from the comfort of home.
Sometimes they run the online race against the real race and even include the AIS positions of the real racers. They always pick a boat that is doing the real race.
They will be doing this for the upcoming Melbourne to Devonport race. I do not know which boat they will use, but given that they have already held one race using the Sun Fast 3300 and one is in the race, I'm hoping SOL will use the 3300.
sailonline.org/
I never bothered because I had no interest in online "games" but once I learned about it (Bored in Covid lockdown) I learn't that it was not really a game, but a navigation simulation tool that has great benefits for any sailor, whether they race or cruise, to try, learn and improve their whether routing navigation.
Sailonline uses real GFS weather forecast gribs and you sail in real time. Usually they have one type of boat for each race using its polars. Like in the real world, there is a new grib update every 6 hours and you are effectively at the nav station planning the next 6 hours routing.
There are many professional navigators, yacht designers and experienced racers who "play" sailonline.
For me, the biggest bonus is the way you can connect the "game" to your computer navigation software.
I had OpenCPN on my computer for many years and had connected it to my old boats instruments. However when I was sailing, I never had time to experiment with OpenCPN and at home or even at anchor, there is a limit to what you can do.
By connecting OpenCPN & QtVlm to Sailonline, I received the NMEA data, including AIS, of my "yacht" and could upload the SOL GFS files. It's given me the ability to learn how to use these navigation tools from the comfort of home.
Sometimes they run the online race against the real race and even include the AIS positions of the real racers. They always pick a boat that is doing the real race.
They will be doing this for the upcoming Melbourne to Devonport race. I do not know which boat they will use, but given that they have already held one race using the Sun Fast 3300 and one is in the race, I'm hoping SOL will use the 3300.