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 » General Discussion » Weather Cast

Posted by
Tommyboomer


Users avatar

Posts
3
Registered at
2008-12-11 17:11:38
2009-05-14 14:40:29 - Weather Cast
I was wondering how the weather is implemented? In the other VOR game, the use time points from specific grib reports.

When is the weather updated in this game, it seems to flow much more naturally without the abrupt changes?

Thanks,

Tom
Posted by
jakob


Users avatar

Posts
364
Registered at
2007-09-04 10:05:30
2009-05-14 16:20:59 - Re: Weather Cast
Correct. We basically use the same source but our smooth interpolation in both space and time is groovy, isn´t it :-) Also note that we shuffle the boats around more often than VOR too ;-)
...one of the guys behind the game...
Posted by
sotil


Users avatar

Posts
10
Registered at
2008-05-18 20:56:51
2009-06-03 00:56:27 - Re: Weather Cast
In OSTAR RACE they go two nights that one does not update the weather. I think fundamental that this type of problems must not exist and his solution has to be priority to support the fair play and equity in the competition.
Regards: Sotil
Posted by
jakob


Users avatar

Posts
364
Registered at
2007-09-04 10:05:30
2009-06-03 05:10:27 - Re: Weather Cast
But the weather IS updated, four times per day actually.
...one of the guys behind the game...
Posted by
captjack1942


Users avatar

Posts
239
Registered at
2008-01-18 03:24:03
2009-06-04 18:58:36 - Re: Weather Cast
Sorry Jakob, but there was no update @ 23:45~24:00 June 2/3 nor @ 06:00 June 3. There was an update at apx 09:00 June 3.

Also, this happened a few days ago when the 23:45 ~ 24:00 update was missed.

I for one would prefer that if an update is missed there should be no update till the next scheduled update. Throwing surprise updates in the middle of the night at us folks on the other side of the globe could cause us much distress.
At least this time it caused me (at least) no loss in the Ostar, but did screw up my course in practice in the VOR. At least it was just practice. I would be a bit pissed if it were to happen after this Sat. ;-)
Posted by
Incognito


Users avatar

Posts
183
Registered at
2008-12-06 13:43:52
2009-06-06 11:35:52 - Re: Weather Cast
I support captjack1942 suggestion that, when a weather update is missed, the next update should occur according to the normal schedule.

On working days, I usually plan my course for the next 12 hours based on the 6:00 UCT update just before going to work. I am usually unable to look at the weather update of 11:50 UCT and just hope for stable weather. But unscheduled updates are difficult to handle.
Posted by
jakob


Users avatar

Posts
364
Registered at
2007-09-04 10:05:30
2009-06-06 13:54:21 - Re: Weather Cast
Good point, we will have this in mind. No promises though.
...one of the guys behind the game...
Posted by
NZL_PaulR


Users avatar

Posts
311
Registered at
2008-07-22 12:21:30
2009-06-06 22:24:02 - Re: Weather Cast
However IRL some forcasts look and sound exactly the same and so no real change is apparent for your particular spot on the ocean.

Against this, sometimes additional forecasts are issued with fast developing situations and the normal 6 hours between forcasts is not adequate nor appropriate.

Rumour has it that some ocean sailors miss forecasts because they are asleep, busy on deck, or have lost power or reception is bad or impossible.

Forrest Gump (movie) said "Shit Happens"

Jakob; Don't panic or worry, IMHO.

Did not Marie Antoinette say to the French peasants "Let them eat cake".
In this case, "Take a concrete pill"
(harden up!)
If it breaks, it's not strong enough!
Posted by
captjack1942


Users avatar

Posts
239
Registered at
2008-01-18 03:24:03
2009-06-07 17:38:59 - Re: Weather Cast
Well Paul, IRL if I can see the sky, I have a real good idea what the weather is going to be. Seascat and gribs have not been around very long...just a few years.
That said, this is not real life. It is a game. It is a game payed by people all over a world divided into 24 time zones. I think that in order to be fair to all these folks around the globe, we should stick to a schedule, even if it means sometimes having a drastic transition for an hour or so from a couple of missed updates.

In every instance of a make up or delayed weather update that I can recall, the make up has occurred mid-morning (or at least midday) in Europe. 09:00 UTC is 11:00 AM in Stockholm, and 9:00 PM in New Zealand, but is the middle of the night in the Americas (2:00 AM PDT in California).

Either stick to a regular schedule or throw in some random updates, say at 2:00 AM in Stockholm or Auckland just to keep it fair.

;-)
Posted by
NZL_PaulR


Users avatar

Posts
311
Registered at
2008-07-22 12:21:30
2009-06-07 19:42:04 - Re: Weather Cast
CaptJack: This is why SOL is such a wonderful game as the experience of using forecasts, gibb files and sail planners is a great learning opportunity. (I'm still to get into the gibb files and downloads. Have been learning Sail Planner though)

Yes it is hard getting up in the middle of the night to start a race or navigate around the green stuff!

In the OSTAR I was 27 hours late starting, but pleased to go from #621 to #333.

So I suppose I'm just against "pandering" if things are not going one's way.

The one thing that is certain is that the weather will be "CHANGEABLE".

Personally I dislike the computer precision of steering a course to two decimals of precision. IRL the nearest 5 degrees are the only marks on my compass! Even then the best would be steering to within 2 to 2.5 degrees. Autopilots can be set to 1 degree increments so I would suggest steering should only be set in whole degrees.

Wind? nearest 5 degrees at the best! Showing one decimal precision for wind is OK in a wind tunnel but IRL, the wind is never constant.

My 2 cents worth today.
If it breaks, it's not strong enough!

Please login to post a reply.

Races

Next Race: 00d 00h 00m

Current Races:

Tasmania to Kamchatka 2026

Welcome to yet another all-new route. Tasmania to Kamchatka, part of our Ocean Championship as well as the ROW (Round the Old World) series. Similar to last year's island to island, and one of the longer ones, 5900nm. 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 will open soon
▶ Flash
GO TO RACE

Bay to Bay 2026 - Leg 1

Prepare for an electrifying start to the 2026 Bay to Bay Yacht Race! This first leg will see our SOLers take on a fast-paced, 16-nautical-mile sprint through the stunning waters of the Great Sandy Marine Park, weaving past the breathtaking landscapes of the Great Sandy National Park. Racing in ILCA 7, the fleet will battle shifting winds, tricky tactics, and fierce competition—all in pursuit of victory! With the thrill of the race and an unforgettable sailing experience ahead, we can’t wait to see you on the start line!
Race #2023
INFO from brainaid.de
ILCA 7 PARTICULARS
WX Updates:
0430 / 1030 / 1630 / 2230
Ranking:
SPQ2-SPCH-B2B-SUPBUD-SYC
Race starts: May 02nd 02:00 Registration will open soon
▶ Flash
GO TO RACE

Regata dell’Accademia Navale 2026

Welcome to Sailonline’s partnership with the City of Livorno (Leghorn say the English) in cooperation with the local yacht clubs and the Italian Navy, offering all the online opportunity to race the famous Regata dell’Accademia Navale - 630nm in length. Starting and finishing in Livorno, this year the race takes you the length and breadth of the Tyrrhenian Sea via little Mortorio (Mortoriotto) off Sardinia to Capri and home again to Livorno. This race also counts towards Sailonline’s Magical Mediterranean Series and the SuperBuddy title. Online, you will be sailing a Mini 6.50, to give you a match against several of the real-life entrants, which you will be able to track on-screen!
Race #2020
INFO by brainaid.de
Mini 6.50 PARTICULARS
WX Updates:
0430 / 1030 / 1630 / 2230
Ranking: MED - SUPBUD - SYC
Race starts: Apr 25th 10:00 Registration Open!

▶ Flash
GO TO RACE

Guess Gotland TIMED Race 2026

The Guess about Gotland is do we helm our First 27 solo east or west of the island in this 140 nm race. 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 #2030
INFOby brainaid.de
First 27 solo Particulars
WX Updates:
0430 / 1030 / 1630 / 2230
Ranking:
TRQ2 - TRCH - SYC
RACE CLOSE: Saturday,
2 May at 23:00 UTC
Race starts: Apr 19th 12:00 Registration Open!
▶ Flash
GO TO RACE

Rommel by Balloon 2026 - Through the Sahara


Generalfeldmarschall Johannes Erwin Eugen Rommel may have been that chivalrous, gallant tank commander of legend, led astray by the Prussian military traditions of loyalty and chain of command, but one thing he wasn’t, was mad. So, let’s do it anyway – not stick to the coast and the battle for logistical superiority – but depart the oases of Siwa south west into the desert for Agadez and its uranium. And let’s go by balloon, it’s only 2500km (1250nm)!
Race #1973
INFOby brainaid.de
SOL Balloon PARTICULARS
WX Updates:
0430 / 1030 / 1630 / 2230
Ranking: BOL - SYC
RACE CLOSE: Sunday,
May 3 at 2300 UTC.
Race starts: Apr 07th 13:00 Registration Closed
▶ Flash
GO TO RACE

Falklands to Tasmania 2026

Welcome to yet another all-new route. This next race is part of our Ocean Championship as well as the ROW series. Falklands to Tasmania, is like last year's island to island. It’s one of the longer ones 6400nm, more than half way around the world (and the Antarctica). It starts the 2026 OCQ2, and will be sailed in our Steinlager 2, contrary to prior notice.
Race #2021
INFO by brainaid.de
Steinlager 2 PARTICULARS
WX Updates:
0430 / 1030 / 1630 / 2230
Ranking: OCQ2 - ROW - OCCH - SYC
RACE CLOSE: Thursday,
May 7 at 2300 UTC.
Race starts: Apr 06th 11:00 Registration Closed
▶ Flash
GO TO RACE

Go to race archive

SYC Ranking

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