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!

13 May 2013

It is with great happiness that I wish to announce a new future for Sailonline (SOL). In a matter of weeks, ownership of SOL will be transferred to a newly created not-for-profit company owned by the SOL community (New Company).

Not many get to see a childhood dream become a reality, but thanks to the initiative of RainbowChaser, svein and WINSTON_4 in response to a request from me, that is what is now happening.

When I was a boy, growing up sailing and first experimenting with a basic computer, I conceived of a computer-based sailing simulator. Many years later, having become a professor of naval architecture, I created my first sim in Matlab so that my students could test their designs. In 2006, one of my students, Kalle, suggested that we work together to update and improve on my basic format, and so it was that SOL came into being. SOL developed into a small but strong community of virtual sailors around the globe, and in significant contrast to the more commercial enterprises developed two fundamental philosophies.

1. Sailonline would always be free to sail
2. Sailonline would be accessible to all

In 2009 a lot changed – the original financial backers left, Kalle was headhunted to work in California, and my own life became more hectic and did not permit me time to spend with SOL – it was clear that a new way forward was needed.

Through RainbowChaser I approached svein and WINSTON_4 and in 2012 invited them to secure a future for SOL in harmony with its founding principles, and this they have now done, after undertaking a thorough review, from auditing SOL to envisaging its future development and even arranging the necessary funds to set up New Company, organised in Sweden. I wanted them to be assisted by a small group of SOLers who vetted their work throughout, and now the project is ready for delivery to the wider SOL community – the intended future owners of New Company.

To all those of you participating in this new venture, may I thank you from the bottom of my heart. I am retaining a 10% participation, so will never be far away, but to know that my childhood dream is now free to develop its full potential is truly joyous.

Tack så mycket

/Jakob
_________________________

Comments are closed.

Comments have been closed for this post.

Races

Next Race: 00d 00h 00m

Current Races:

Chesapeake and Potomac TIMED Race 2026

Welcome to the Chesapeake Bay, the sailing capital of the United States. Feast on Maryland crab cakes or crabs seasoned with Old Bay spice before sailing down the Bay aboard a Formula 18 catamaran on a 128 nm course that will take you up the Potomac River finishing at Quantico, Virginia. This is a TIMEDrace so you may RE-REGISTER HEREto try again after finishing a run. You will have two weeks to test your skill and decision making after the race opens.
Race #2032
INFOby brainaid.de
Formula 18 catamaran Particulars
WX Updates:
0430 / 1030 / 1630 / 2230
Ranking:
TRQ2 - TRCH - SYC
RACE CLOSE: Saturday,
23 May at 23:00 UTC
Race starts: May 10th 12:00 Registration will open soon
▶ Flash
GO TO RACE

Tobruk to Iskenderun 2026

Welcome to the fourth of our nine races across the length and breadth of the Magical Mediterranean Sea, and the second that is not in partnership with a real-life event, this time for good reason, which we won’t get into here. From Tobruk to Iskenderun it’s 670nm in length, with the added complication that the island of Cyprus will be in your way. Hoping, possibly forlornly, for plenty of downwind sailing, we’ll take the Lagoon 55 for the voyage!
Race #1976
INFO by brainaid.de
Lagoon 55 PARTICULARS
WX Updates:
0430 / 1030 / 1630 / 2230
Ranking: MED - SYC
Race starts: May 05th 15:00 Registration Open!

▶ Flash
GO TO RACE

Tasmania to Kamchatka 2026

Welcome to yet another all-new route. Tasmania to Kamchatka, part of our Ocean Championship and also the third leg of the ROW (Round the Old World) series. Be aware of the obstacles on the way, likely to split the fleet. It's like X:mas to X:mas, crossing the same waters, navigating the same archipelagos. This second race of OCQ2 2026 will be sailed in our revised 'version 2' Imoca 60 Foil. Race #2031
INFO by brainaid.de
Imoca 60 Foil v2 PARTICULARS
WX Updates:
0430 / 1030 / 1630 / 2230
Ranking: OCQ2 - ROW - OCCH - SYC
Race starts: May 04th 11:00 Registration Open!
▶ Flash
GO TO RACE

Go to race archive

SYC Ranking

  1. Sailonline Yacht Club Member WRmirekd
  2. Sailonline Yacht Club Member CriticalHippo
  3. Sailonline Yacht Club Member rumskib
  4. Sailonline Yacht Club Member Panpyc
  5. Sailonline Yacht Club Member rafa
  6. Sailonline Yacht Club Member KaSToR
  7. Sailonline Yacht Club Member CollegeFund
  8. Sailonline Yacht Club Member bonknhoot
  9. Sailonline Yacht Club Member vida
  10. Sailonline Yacht Club Member sassy63

View full list

Series

Mobile Client

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

The mobile client