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 » Sailonline Yacht Club » Possible Feature

Posted by
bc


Users avatar

Posts
10
Registered at
2011-10-31 03:32:01
2011-12-20 01:55:15 - Possible Feature
Still pretty new here so maybe this has been addressed before. If not, perhaps I risk painting a target on my back and handing out arrows at the same time BUT, has anyone considered adding currents to SOL? I fear it would add a magnitude of complexity to coding and sailing but it would make races like Newport/Marion to Bermuda race a realistic, challenging race.

*looking for a rock to hide under*
Posted by
ShamrockPirate


Users avatar

Posts
189
Registered at
2010-12-03 17:49:57
2011-12-20 02:16:46 - Re: Possible Feature
Hi bc!

Welcome to SOL! Hope you are enjoying the experience. No worries, quivers are empty.
I may have even asked this question when I first joined (and lived to tell the tale!)
;-)

There have been past discussions re: adding currents as yet another challenging variable to the simulation. I can't speak for the SOL Admin Team but, as you rightly guessed, adding those elements AND maintaining the realism we enjoy on SOL for polars, weather, navigation, etc. would be far too much computer resource.

Again, welcome to the fleet.
I will look for your transom ahead of me in coming races!

SP
Posted by
bc


Users avatar

Posts
10
Registered at
2011-10-31 03:32:01
2011-12-20 03:33:59 - Re: Possible Feature
In a way I think I'm glad. I have enough trouble with the wind for now. I'm happy the quiver's empty though, how about the blunder buss.

Thanks for the welcome.
Posted by
captjack1942


Users avatar

Posts
239
Registered at
2008-01-18 03:24:03
2011-12-23 02:58:40 - Re: Possible Feature
You are right that this has been discussed before (and often). According to AGage, the server load is not the problem. It is getting the information in a format that can be loaded in to the client (like the NOAA gfs files for weather.
Another is we need an angel to allow the likes of Kalle, Brain, AG, Richard Price...etc the time to write the code. And to pay for the server. As it is, the folks who join SYC barely cover the cost with SYC dues.
Posted by
bc


Users avatar

Posts
10
Registered at
2011-10-31 03:32:01
2011-12-26 01:11:12 - Re: Possible Feature
Excellent reasons, though I think the current data is available in grib files. More important is the Angel and Financing. I sure know that story. I maintain a server now at an 80% loss. Those writing the code should be compensated somehow.
Posted by
bc


Users avatar

Posts
10
Registered at
2011-10-31 03:32:01
2011-12-26 14:54:35 - Re: Possible Feature
Of course, having brought up this subject for the purpose of proposing a Bermuda Race, I now realize that the biggest reason for following the Gulf Stream in that race is because of the effect of the wind at the boundary. *DUH* So in the virtual world, with wind data that is universal across the fleet, the need for current and temperature is really unnecessary.
Posted by
AGage


Users avatar

Posts
411
Registered at
2008-12-27 10:31:57
2011-12-29 05:32:03 - Re: Possible Feature
It also greatly complicates:
a) The client - having to display the currents. Also is more data to download, and TBH we could already do with allowing more wx data, especially for large courses like SWR etc
b) Routing - which is possibly the biggest issue, as it not only increases the gap between those who use routing software and those who don't, but also between the various routers as not all (especially free ones) handle input of currents and waves for the purposes of routing.

There is a FAQ entry in the manual regarding currents - which points out that currents have been tried and dismissed as appropriate for SOL.
I help develop the client interface for the best online ocean racing sim there is... __/)/)_/)__

Please login to post a reply.

Races

Next Race: 00d 00h 00m

Current Races:

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 Open!
▶ Flash
GO TO RACE

Dyer Dhow Derby 2026


Most winter weekends, SOLer wsguerin and his friends at the Mamaroneck Frostbite Association venture forth on Long Island Sound to race Dyer Dhows, originally designed as WWII tenders. Indestructible little boats, great comradeship and serious short sharp races of 10 to 20 minutes duration. Sailonline now invites you to experience the joys of the Dhow in winter, virtually, by way of a slightly longer 14nm race: from Mamaroneck to Execution Rocks, over to the Gong Buoy and back to Mamaroneck. And if the wind pipes up to 20kn and beyond, you'll find SOL's customized polar will plane, rather than nosedive!
Race #2017
INFO by brainaid.de
Dyer Dhow PARTICULARS
NAM_AWIP WX Updates:
0245 / 0845 / 1445 / 2045
Ranking: SPQ1 - SPCH - SYC
Race starts: Mar 07th 13:00 Registration Open!
▶ 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 starts: Mar 04th 03:20 Registration Open!
▶ Flash
GO TO RACE

SSANZ Round North Island Race 2026 - Leg 2

Leg Two of our Round North Island Series is where the real challenge begins. After Mangonui, our SOLers face a demanding 491nm passage around the top of the North Island and down the rugged west coast toward Cook Strait. Long miles, exposed waters, and relentless tactical choices will test every SOLer. In our powerful Sun Fast 3600s, a proven short-handed performer and true downwind flyer, endurance, timing, and smart routing will be key to success!

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 #2012
INFO by brainaid.de
Sun Fast 3600 PARTICULARS
WX Updates:
0430 / 1030 / 1630 / 2230
Ranking: RNI - SUPBUD - SYC
Race starts: Mar 02nd 21:00 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 Open!
▶ Flash
GO TO RACE

San Diego to Puerto Vallarta 2026

Welcome to California! Established in 1953 this 1000-mile run from San Diego to Puerto Vallarta on the Mexican Riviera has become a tradition and online as well the tradition strengthens with this the fourth time Sailonline is making the race available to virtual sailors. Let's see how our virtual SC70s perform against the real fleet!
Race #2015
INFO by brainaid.de
Santa Cruz 70 Particulars
WX Updates:
0430 / 1030 / 1630 / 2230
Ranking: SUPBUD - SYC
Race starts: Feb 28th 20:00 Registration Open!
▶ 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 rumskib
  4. Sailonline Yacht Club Member CriticalHippo
  5. Sailonline Yacht Club Member vida
  6. Sailonline Yacht Club Member Sax747
  7. Sailonline Yacht Club Member CollegeFund
  8. Sailonline Yacht Club Member rafa
  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