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!

Board » Technical Support » Refresh timess

Posted by
Rod


Users avatar

Posts
392
Registered at
2010-06-24 22:30:48
2014-01-30 02:29:59 - Refresh timess
The subject of the refresh times has arisen in the chat again. I have attempted to rationalize the "4 times per minute" refresh in terms of 'distance covered' and 'regularity of time', without much success.
I realize that this problem is noticeable only during the so-called "Practice Races" and the "Timed races".
I have also found that the execution of the 'Send command' is quite variable in its timing.
For example, when approaching a mark, and the Boat Icon is positioned immediately prior to the mark, I have counted out 10 or 12 seconds (One-hippopotamus, two- hippo...as well as by the seconds hand of a watch or clock) and then clicked on the "send command" button, only to see that my boat has turned immediately, short of the mark, making a course reversal and a second rounding attempt is nescessary, with the loss of most of a minute.
My basic enquiry is this:
Has anyone managed to develop a rational explanation of the system used by the program?
In addition, at "race start", it is usual to see three arcs of vessels, spaced one quarter minute apart, indicating that some boats start earlier than others. Is this choice "at random", or is some other criterion used to determine "who" starts first, and who waits for a number of seconds before starting? This problem is also of minor significance in the regular races, but can be very important during practice and timed races, where a 'half minute' lag can be very difficult to make up.
The level of skill in these Sol competitions has become so markedly improved that these two timing problems have become much more important than they probably were when the original program was written.




If it breaks, it's not strong enough--if it doesn't, it's too heavy.
Posted by
Svein


Users avatar

Posts
84
Registered at
2009-05-04 15:09:20
2014-01-30 20:32:46 - Re: Refresh timess
Rod,
this is not an uncomplicated issue, however in no particular order:
my observations yield that there is a basic 15 second update cycle, which is 30 seconds about every third time and exceptionally 45 seconds - that is update to your boat position on the client screen.
This makes tight water nav tricky at best.
However, the position of boats on the client screen does not not represent the true position of the boats in the server - everybody start at the same time in the server.
I have lost "fast and furious" races because of terrible turns, whether it was my fault or server quirk.
I believe that Markku (hmm) will eventually (as we get more familiar with server personality) be able to explain the intricacies at hand.
You are describing the situation well and maybe the issues can be treated with more computer power or software redesign, but I do not believe it is priority one yet, but again thanks for good desciption

Please login to post a reply.

Races

Next Race: 00d 00h 00m

Current Races:

Lake Victoria TIMED Race 2026

This month’s TIMED race takes us inland to Lake Victoria in the heart of Africa. Starting at Rosebery Channel in Uganda sail the AC72v2 on a 196nm course around Bugala Island on the way to the finish line in Tanzania’s Speke Gulf. This is a TIMEDrace so you may RE-REGISTER HEREto try again after finishing a run. You will have 13 days and 11 hours to test your skill and decision making after the race opens.
Race #2018
INFOby brainaid.de
AC72v2 Particulars
WX Updates:
0430 / 1030 / 1630 / 2230
Ranking:
TRQ1 - TRCH - SYC
RACE CLOSE: Saturday,
28 March at 23:00 UTC
Race starts: Mar 15th 12:00 Registration will open soon
▶ Flash
GO TO RACE

SSANZ Round North Island Race 2026 - Leg 4

The final challenge awaits in Leg Four of the Round North Island Series! From Napier, the fleet sets off on a 354 nautical mile run back to Auckland, completing the full circumnavigation where the journey began. Fatigue may be setting in, but this last leg could decide the overall standings. Sailing the fast and responsive Sun Fast 3600, our skippers will need sharp tactics and steady focus to finish the series strong and claim victory!

The start time for this race may change at short notice to align with the real race. The confirmed start date and time will be announced via an in-race “L” flag message — Please monitor race communications closely.
Race #2014
INFO by brainaid.de
Sun Fast 3600 PARTICULARS
WX Updates:
0430 / 1030 / 1630 / 2230
Ranking: RNI - SUPBUD - SYC
Race starts: Mar 12th 22:00 Registration Open!
▶ Flash
GO TO RACE

SSANZ Round North Island Race 2026 - Leg 3

Leg Three of our Round North Island Series, in partnership with SSANZ, keeps the pressure on! From Cook Strait, the fleet turns north for a 187 nautical mile passage up the east coast to Napier. It may look like a quick overnighter, but shifting coastal winds and the ever-lively Cook Strait demand sharp focus. In our responsive Sun Fast 3600s, a proven short-handed racer and powerful downwind performer, tactical decisions and precise timing will make all the difference!

The start time for this race may change at short notice to align with the real race. The confirmed start date and time will be announced via an in-race “L” flag message — Please monitor race communications closely.
Race #2013
INFO by brainaid.de
Sun Fast 3600 PARTICULARS
WX Updates:
0430 / 1030 / 1630 / 2230
Ranking: RNI - SUPBUD - SYC
Race starts: Mar 08th 22:00 Registration Closed
▶ Flash
GO TO RACE

South China Sea Race 2026


Welcome all to the South China Sea and a virtual chase in Cookson 50’s of the Rolex South China Sea fleet, racing 650nm – as the local red-footed booby flies – from Hong Kong to Subic Bay on the southern tip of The Philippines’ Luzon Island. Chances are it will be a fast downwind ride, so see how you can keep up with the real-life fleet which we hope to be able to follow on our monitors.
Race #2016
INFOby brainaid.de
Cookson 50 PARTICULARS
WX Updates:
0430 / 1030 / 1630 / 2230
Ranking: SUPBUD - SYC
RACE CLOSE: Saturday,
March 14 at 2300 UTC.
Race starts: Mar 04th 03:20 Registration Closed
▶ Flash
GO TO RACE

Iceland to the Falklands 2026

Welcome to an all-new route, the first of three Round the 'Old World' of Europe, Africa, Australia and Asia. To give each leg of the ROW a bit of length we'll try to hug the coasts as little as possible, so starting in Iceland our first leg of the series, which will also be the final leg of our Quarter 1 Ocean Championships takes us 7200nm to the Falklands, the full length of the Atlantic end to end. To make sure we'll get it done within the month we'll be sailing our Maxi Trimaran.
Race #2010
INFO by brainaid.de
Maxi Trimaran PARTICULARS
WX Updates:
0430 / 1030 / 1630 / 2230
Ranking: OCQ1 - ROW - OCCH - SYC
Race starts: Mar 02nd 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 WRmirekd
  3. Sailonline Yacht Club Member rafa
  4. Sailonline Yacht Club Member rumskib
  5. Sailonline Yacht Club Member Sax747
  6. Sailonline Yacht Club Member vida
  7. Sailonline Yacht Club Member CriticalHippo
  8. Sailonline Yacht Club Member CollegeFund
  9. Sailonline Yacht Club Member Panpyc
  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