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Profile for dtayls



Name dtayls
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Posts30
  • 2025-04-03 08:16:46
    Re: Poetry Saved for Posterity
    Board » General Discussion
    The 2025 Melbourne-to-Osaka has unleashed some new poets. Long ocean races play strange games with our minds ...

    wsguerin 04/02 20:36:49
    I’m following bubbles
    Spells nothing but troubles.
    VMC has its grip on my throat.
    But if I would dare
    To sail toward some air,
    Would some spots be gained by my boat?

    brellis 04/02 21:35:46
    I aim for the far-ahead ship o’
    The wizardly Critical Hippo
    For strategy’s sake
    I’ll look for his wake
    But if he makes a quick turn I’ll get burned!

    brellis 04/02 21:40:01
    My goal used to be the Top Twenty
    But now there’s great SOLers a-plenty
    Their boats move so swiftly
    I’ll try for Top Fifty
    But more likely to finish Top Seventy!

    Siaki 04/02 21:46:21
    Sleep in the Nite
    While the wx Bite
    Dreams of positions go by
    Can't figure out why
    Hoping to score
    Closer to Shore

    CriticalHippo 00:00:51 - In anti-poetic style
    The Hippo is sometimes a wizard
    But not in this race
    Nor is he a poet

    dtayls 00:25:14 - A haiku
    big puddle
    from south to north
    bonkers!

    dtayls 02:03:13 - Back to the limerick pattern
    And then there was W. S. Guerin
    For whom limericks are reoccurin'
    Antares will wait
    'Till we all take the bait
    And the fleet will be caught out errin'

    antares 05:34:12
    Through seas, wsguerin and Brellis did war,
    Their boats powered by brilliance, nothing more.
    Mechanics precise,
    Their minds cold as ice,
    Till one claimed the oceans to settle the score.

  • 2020-10-03 04:41:53
    Re: qtVlm thread
    Board » Technical Support
    Interesting. I wasn't aware of the 'selection tool'. I'll have to give it a go.
  • 2020-10-03 04:34:24
    Re: Weather - Brain Storm
    Board » General Discussion
    I agree with you @Zorba that "random factors should come from the weather itself".

    As you know I like the idea of using a different and more accurate model (perhaps ECMWF) for the underlying simulation but that might depend on gaining access to a high quality model to which most users do not have access.

    Another approach might be to introduce a certain degree of randomness in to the simulation's weather model, but what should the source of this randomness be?

    One option would be to choose a random mix of two or more models. This could be (a) fixed for the whole race or (b) change over time or (c) vary by lat&lon across the GRIB or (d) both meaning <x,y,t>.

    If model volatility or uncertainty GRIBs were available then this could also be used to add a little to the randomness model but I suspect many would consider this to be a step too far :-)
  • 2020-10-01 03:03:21
    Re: Weather - Brain Storm
    Board » General Discussion
    While they do indeed say "you will need to accept the terms of the ECMWF Standard licence and pay for the associated data and handling costs." what if that cost was $0 or the equivalent in Euros? I think you will find that their licensing model depends very much on how the data is to be used. The fact that SOL is a not-for-profit, that the data would not be made available for download to end users, and that we would not require 24x7 support might all have a big impact on the quoted price. Maybe someone should contact them and request a quote.

    As it stands in SOL we are given perfect weather information for each 6 hour window which is a little unrealistic. What's more, some people know the idiosyncrasies of how the SOL server interprets the data and are therefore able to use that knowledge to their advantage. Is this really fair? And given that we allow this and the use of routers then we'd might as well allow full autopilot control of our boats!

    If there is instability in in the weather then I would expect the underlying weather to reflect that and probably differ from the predictions. Those who understand the weather the best will generally make the best decisions and may even have a chance at winning over those who can drive the tools to perfection.

    Ideally the underlying weather model used in the SOL simulation is based on the most accurate available. But some people may have access to this unless we 'rule' it out. So maybe we could also introduce some variations in to areas where the model is unstable. Again, this could be fun :-)
  • 2020-09-29 00:27:13
    Re: Weather - Brain Storm
    Board » General Discussion
    VIbex: The key to my idea is to use an underlying weather model for the simulation which powers our virtual boats that is different from the predictions available to SOL competitors.

    I agree when you say "we're not actually living on the boats so you need some measure of predictability" but I don't think that means we need to be able to 100% predict the weather.

    When the weather is very stable and highly predictable then the models will likely be very closely aligned. In those cases it might be safe to sail very close to a mark or an island, but when the weather is less stable you might choose a wider safety margin over absolute performance.

    As for the question of using 'rules' to control which models can or can't be used, there is always going to be someone who wants to cheat.

    Ideally, I like the idea of using something like a pre-release beta version of the ECMWF model not generally available except to researchers, if such a thing exists. Another alternative might be a psuedo-random merge of multiple model GRIBs ... This could be a fun project :-)
  • 2020-09-27 00:57:45
    Re: Weather - Brain Storm
    Board » General Discussion
    ij said @ 2020-09-10 20:03:13:
    Also, they explicitly mention not-for-profits in their license selection guidance so you're just dreaming and there's little point in trying to ask anything from them.
    --
    i.

    Is it possible to get access to the ECMWF model for internal use only on the server while using the GFS model in the gribs provided to users?

    It seems to me that this would fit the licencing requirements for the not-for-profit use of the real-time ECMWF data.

    It would also be closer to reality in that the underlying model used on the server would be different to the forecasts available to users.

    There may also be a need for a new SOL rule that makes it illegal to use commercial paid-for products not available to all users for free.

    I think this would make for some more interesting racing.
  • 2020-09-26 12:13:06
    Re: AGL14 Releases
    Board » Technical Discussion
    dtayls said @ 2020-09-07 04:13:07:
    14.2.3 doesn't seem to automatically download GRIBs anymore :-(


    Looks like this only affected the Mel-to-Osaka race. Seems to work perfectly in other races. How bizarre!
  • 2020-09-26 11:32:29
    Merge of steering and DC tabs
    Board » General Discussion
    I really like @Zorba's idea of merging the 'steering' and 'DC' tabs. Maybe allow for 8-10 lines of DCs bacause if anyone is using more then they are probably using other tools to generate them.

    It would also help to be able to set an actual time rather than just a delay period.
  • 2020-09-26 11:26:04
    Extended predictors - Suggestion re the hourly indicators
    Board » General Discussion
    Love the new extended predictors. Thanks @ij.

    One small suggestion: Hourly indicators are open circles. Perhaps fill every 6-hourly circle to make a large dot. This would help in interpreting the longer predictors.

    The longer predictors will be really helpful when training up those new to SOL. The curly-whirly patterns can be very instructive.
  • 2020-09-07 04:13:07
    Re: AGL14 Releases
    Board » Technical Discussion
    14.2.3 doesn't seem to automatically download GRIBs anymore :-(

    This might help explain it:

    Exception in thread "Thread-1" java.lang.NullPointerException
    at grib.GribFactory.waitForGrib(GribFactory.java:215)
    at grib.GribFactory.run(GribFactory.java:146)
    at java.base/java.lang.Thread.run(Unknown Source)


    --- Last Edited by dtayls at 2020-09-07 04:30:17 ---

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Brisbane to Keppel Tropical Yacht Race 2025


When the winter weather turns cool in southern Australia sailors head up to the warmer waters of The Great Barrier Reef and the big winter regattas at Hamilton Island, Airlie Beach and Magnetic Island. But the race isn’t ‘on’ this year; nevertheless, Sailonline is inviting all racers from RQYS and beyond to race the 343 nm for the fun, this time in our SOTO 40. It might be winter downunder but do put on your shorts and t-shirts before you sit down behind your devices to get into the spirit of it all!
Race #1921
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Pantaenius Shetland Race 2025 - Leg 1

Prepare your sails and brace for exhilaration—it's time once again to embark on the thrilling journey from Norway's stunning outer Korsfjorden to the ruggedly beautiful Shetland Isles! Welcome to the first electrifying leg of Sailonline's celebrated two-race Shetland Series. Spanning nearly 190 nautical miles, this year's challenge features the Salona 39, masterfully designed in collaboration with Maurizio Cossutti. Sailonline proudly partners with this iconic race, bringing sailors from around the globe together to test their strategic prowess and seamanship. Whether you're a seasoned veteran or setting out on your first virtual adventure with us, get ready for an unforgettable race filled with intense competition, breathtaking scenery, and the sheer joy of sailing. The North Sea awaits—let the adventure begin!
Race #1922
INFO by brainaid.de
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Haugesund to Reykjavik 2025


In late April 2016 Draken Harald Hårfagre, the worlds largest viking ship built in modern times, left her home port in Haugesund, Norway and sailed off for a challenging voyage across the North Atlantic Ocean.
The aim was to explore and relive one of the most mythological sea voyages – the first transatlantic crossing, and the Viking discovery of the New World, more than a thousand years ago. History tells us about the Viking explorer, Leif Eriksson, who discovered America over 500 years before Christopher Columbus. The expedition was all about exploring the world, just like the Vikings did.
Sailonline is racing the 1000 nm first leg, from Haugesund, Norway, to Reykjavik, Iceland in our Farr 400. Let us sail in the wake of history on this epic adventure!
Race #1913
INFO from brainaid.de
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Africa by Sea - Swakopmund to Maputo 2025


Time again to continue our exploration of Africa by Sea, which now takes us around the tip of the continent at Cape Agulhas and up the coast of South Africa to Mozambique’s marvellous Maputo, where we should find good anchorage in the bend of the Rio Espirito Santo (Umbuluzi) once we’ve cleared the 60m high Maputo - Katembe suspension bridge. It’s 1900nm and we’ll be glad to be sailing our comfortable and sturdy Xp-55, as we will certainly experience more headwinds!
Race #1857
INFOby brainaid.de
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Marquesas to Young Island 2025

The adventure continues as we launch this fourth leg of the RWW series, racing from Marquesas to Young Island in the Balleny Islands, a group of islands in the Southern Ocean only 62 nm from Antarctica. Get ready for a chilling new challenge as we set sail on the sixth leg of the 2025 Ocean Championship Series! A 4100nm journey of endurance, strategy, and pure sailing excitement. This leg will be pursued aboard the race machine RP66, pushing sailors to their limits. Do you have what it takes to conquer the Southern Ocean? Join us and put your skills to the ultimate test!
PRIZE: SMPF
Race #1909
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Raichel/Pugh 66 PARTICULARS
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Ranking: OCQ2 - RWW - OCCH - SUPSOL - SYC
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June 21 at 2300 UTC.
Race starts: Jun 02nd 11:00 Registration Closed
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