Sailing Simulators

[Edo Kazumichi]

Can anyone recommend a good sailing simulator for a guy just learning how to sail?

[Lostmt]

Hi,
I can't say how good this one is but you might take a look.

http://www.learntosail.net

[sanjuan2R]

I suggest trying to find "Virtual Skipper" . I have the first version and obtained Virtual Skipper 3 version at Fry's last year. It is fun and challenging and well - conceived PC game that will test your knowledge.

[TrueBlue]

This one's more performance/speed oriented, but educational just the same :

http://www.nationalgeographic.com/vo...ing/index.html

[toastchee]

wow, i found it:

http://www.virtualskipper-game.com/

looks cool

[toastchee]

I just bought it. Do any sailnet skippers play?

[hellosailor]

Edo, I'm not up on the latest software but sailing is very much a visceral experience, you respond by body feel and can't really "map" all that to software sitting in a chair. I think you'd be much better off trying to spend time in boats, even sailing dinghies at a local Red Cross program, than trying to do it on a computer.

[sailingdog]

I'd agree, training muscle memory and the body's instinctive reactions isn't possible with a computer simulation. Spending time on the water in a sailboat is really the best way to learn. The smaller dinghies and keelboats are better for learning, as they are more sensitive to changes in wind, weight distribution, etc.

I learned on Sunfish and Sailfish way back when. Recently took a refresher, as part of buying my first big sailboat, on Solings, Sonars and J/24s.

[cardiacpaul]

Go to your local marina early on a satuday morning.
Find people luging coolers and gear to their boats.
Complement the guy barking out the most instructions.
Complement the same guy about how pretty his boat is.
Tell same guy that you're looking to learn to sail.
Guy will most likely respond "C'mon aboard, we're going out for the day"

[mariner3302]

Although doing is much better than simulating, simulating has it's place too. Using models to show how things work can be cheap education. Sail trim and docking for example. That National Geographic simulator is great.