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:

Red Eye - Frisian Isles Trophy 2025

For our final “Red Eye” race, we invite you to cross the Noord Zee to the Wadden Zee, where a 160nm course around a few sandy islands raced on SOL only once before in 2010 awaits you. We don’t have a replica of Erskine Childers’ Dulcibella in our boathouse, and in any case if we took her out, we might well contract more than one “Red Eye”, so instead we’ll race our very own riddle of the sands in Farr 400s!
Race #1848
INFOby brainaid.de
Farr 400 PARTICULARS
WX Updates:
0430 / 1030 / 1630 / 2230
Ranking: SYC - RED

Race starts: Nov 05th 12:00 Registration Open!
▶ Flash
GO TO RACE

Fernando de Noronha to Faroe 2025

The RWW Series concludes with a spectacular journey from Fernando de Noronha to the Faroe Islands, a legendary destination in the wild North Atlantic. Panning 4,100 nautical miles, this leg will be a true test of endurance, strategy, and sheer determination. Also the penultimate leg of the 2025 Ocean Championship, it’s your chance to prove your mettle against the sea, the wind, and yourself. We’ll be racing aboard the Ragamuffin 100, a vessel built for speed and challenge — demanding planning, precision and grit from every sailor on deck. Do you have what it takes to master the Northern Atlantic?.
PRIZE: SMPF
Race #1960
INFO by brainaid.de
Ragamuffin 100 PARTICULARS
WX Updates:
0430 / 1030 / 1630 / 2230
Ranking: RWW - OCQ4 - OCCH - SUPSOL - SYC
Race starts: Nov 03rd 11:00 Registration Open!
▶ Flash
GO TO RACE

Mistli's Birthday BBQ Race 2025


Welcome to one of Sailonline's great traditions - the ofttimes slightly untimely celebration of SOLer Mistli's birthday on November 1, by way of a tricky race through the Stockholm Archipelago. To match the day that’s in it, this year correctly, we are providing you with a fleet of sleek 11 metre 1-designs (get it?) to slice through these (at least) 61.5nm of SLI-infested waters, and give you a fair chance that there will still be some beer left by the time you moor up by the jetty at Trosa!
Race #1947
INFO by brainaid.de
11m OD PARTICULARS
WX Updates:
0430 / 1030 / 1630 / 2230
Ranking: SYC
RACE CLOSE: Wednesday,
November 5 at 2300 UTC.
Race starts: Nov 01st 14:00 Registration Closed
▶ Flash
GO TO RACE

ORCV Melbourne to Devonport Race 2025

Welcome to the legendary Rudder Cup, Australia’s oldest and most storied yacht race—sailed for over 110 years across the challenging Bass Strait from Melbourne to Tasmania. Organized by the Ocean Racing Club of Victoria, this 195nm classic tests sailors’ skill, strategy, and endurance against the unpredictable Southern Ocean. This year, our SOLers will be racing the timeless Swan 36, Nautor’s very first production yacht—a Sparkman & Stephens masterpiece renowned for her elegance, balance, and seaworthy performance. Get ready for a true ocean racing adventure!
Race #1951
INFO by brainaid.de
Swan 36 PARTICULARS
WX Updates:
0430 / 1030 / 1630 / 2230
Ranking: SYC
RACE CLOSE: Saturday,
November 8 at 2300 UTC.
Race starts: Oct 31st 03:30 Registration Closed
▶ Flash
GO TO RACE

Sinbad by Balloon 2025 - Carnarvon to Dondra


From here, our home in Bharatavarṣa is now north west of us – said Sinbad to his fellow balloonists. Perhaps we can ride the wind first further north, and then catch the winds that every year bring the rain, perhaps not. It’s 2600nm and we could be aloft awhile, so, Master el-Quarters, victuals only, no sandbags, provisioning the giant hamper. It will be not a picnic!
Race #1886
INFOby brainaid.de
SOL Balloon PARTICULARS
WX Updates:
0430 / 1030 / 1630 / 2230
Ranking: SYC - SBB
Race starts: Oct 15th 11:00 Registration Closed
▶ Flash
GO TO RACE

Go to race archive

SYC Ranking

  1. Sailonline Yacht Club Member KaSToR
  2. Sailonline Yacht Club Member CriticalHippo
  3. Sailonline Yacht Club Member WRmirekd
  4. Sailonline Yacht Club Member vida
  5. Sailonline Yacht Club Member rafa
  6. Sailonline Yacht Club Member CollegeFund
  7. Sailonline Yacht Club Member Panpyc
  8. Sailonline Yacht Club Member FreyjaUSA
  9. Sailonline Yacht Club Member BRENTGRAY
  10. Sailonline Yacht Club Member Sax747

View full list

Series

Mobile Client

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

The mobile client