Learn to sail for 30 dollars and don't even get wet!

yellowwducky · #1 (**permalink**) 02-09-2009

Yup, thats right. I picked up Virtual Skipper 5 today! Unlike the typical ultra conservative advice of starting with some 10 foot pookie laser, I am going straight into Open 60s!

Have fun with those lasers people!

That splash will be my wake washing over you!

Here is the link!

Virtual Skipper 5

TxLnghrn · #2 (**permalink**) 02-09-2009

Yellow,
Having played vsk intermittantly for years, I can say it has helped me a lot with sailing theory, not the same as doing it. But every little bit helps.

There are a lot of virtual yacht clubs out there, the one I have sailed with is Anarchist Yacht Club.
Anarchist Yacht Club - WELCOME TO AYC

Another interesting and free virtual game is Virtual Loup de Mer. It stages virtual races and uses real time weather for routing. I haven't played in a while but it is fun to compete in around the world races, helps with weather routing and reading GRIB files.

Virtual Loup-De-Mer

Michael

jjablonowski · #3 (**permalink**) 02-09-2009

Anybody have an opinion on Virtual Skipper versus one of the Posey sailing simulators? I've been toying with the trial version of the Posey Coastal Cruiser and am finding it interesting, if a little non-intuitive.

TxLnghrn · #4 (**permalink**) 02-09-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by jjablonowski

Anybody have an opinion on Virtual Skipper versus one of the Posey sailing simulators? I've been toying with the trial version of the Posey Coastal Cruiser and am finding it interesting, if a little non-intuitive.

JJ,
I was underwhelmed with Posey (I only tried the trial version as well). VSK is geared to racing, but the dynamics seem very well designed and thought out, there is a strong group of players and it is open-source in a lot of ways, allows for importation of new boats, courses, etc.... I think there is a trial version, but online play is where the most fun and learning occurs with this game. It has a good learning curve. The wind/wave dynamics are outstanding. People with way more time than me have shown that something as small as 1 or 2 degree rudder variation from optimal in tacks affects boat speed tremendously. Maybe more than the average cruising sailor wants to think about, but it really makes crossing situations and give-way stand-on become more intuitive. Not to mention it is a lot of fun for those days when you cannot get out and do the real thing.

Michael

AjariBonten · #5 (**permalink**) 02-09-2009

Who can say more about Virtual Loop-de-mer ?

The web site looks interesting, is there a cost?

TxLnghrn · #6 (**permalink**) 02-09-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by AjariBonten

Who can say more about Virtual Loop-de-mer ?

The web site looks interesting, is there a cost?

VLM is free and I received no spam I can attribute to them.
I haven't done a race in about 6 months with them. To do well takes checking in about 3 or 4 times a day to make course corrections. It uses real time weather updates I believe updated every 20 mins to predict boat movements. It helps to have a seperate Grib reader I used GRIB US, also free. GRIB.US > Home
The interface on VLM was a little difficult for me, originally written in French (which I don't speak) and then translated to English (which I sort of speak).

They were working on improving the English site the last time I was on. Overall, very fun, and very time consuming.

Michael

AjariBonten · #7 (**permalink**) 02-09-2009

Great, time consuming, my boss will luv ya, LOL

Sounds like fun; I will check it out further,
Thanks

yellowwducky · #8 (**permalink**) 02-10-2009

Well I completed the tutorial sailings last night and it was fun.

So far I have learned that hoisting a spinnaker and turning at the wrong time leads to a broached boat. I have also learned that sparring with another boats mast in a race is consider a penalty worthy event. I have also learned that, unlike Nascar, a little 'rubbin' is also considered a penalty worthy event! Geesh, its not like there isn't touch up paint!

I finally beat the computer in the final race tutorial when somehow the computer drew a 360 penalty on me. I haven't had time to quite figure out how one really determines who has right of way on a bouy - clearly it isn't who has the bigger cajones!

I was wondering about the realism a bit when I was sailing on starboard side of the computer with wind on my starboard side - I would have thought I would have sucked all the wind out of his sails and slowed him down but that didn't happen. Regardless, I cut him off at the bouy...sucker!

TxLnghrn · #9 (**permalink**) 02-10-2009

It is a lot of fun and pretty addictive, gets more so once you start playing online. The wind shadows are pretty accurate as far as I can tell. And probably more so to the point as far as people who actually race have told me. What you may have seen from on the windward position, starboard tack is called lee bow and actually you get slowed down by dirty air off the other boats sails if he has just a small lead on you. Hope to see you online someday, my screen name is the same for vsk.

Michael

bubb2 · #10 (**permalink**) 02-10-2009

I have two new interactive DVDs coming out the ought to be a hit with you guys.

Learn to bottom paint. To get the most out of the DVD you need to buy the optional electronic paint roller that connects to your computer by way of a USB cable.

The second.

The virtual fuel filter change. It comes complete with 10, scratch and sniff diesel fuel samples. More can be ordered for the cost of shipping and handing only.

Please send your checks to:

Frickemall Industries
P O Box 000
Frickemall NY, 12345

Please wait 4 to 6 years for shipment.