lbrewer Posted January 30, 2009 Author Posted January 30, 2009 Ken, Don't feel bad, last night I was wondering if I should go out and buy some plastic parallel rules so I could chart a course between a few islands.......When I realized it was too late to do that I "made" a set out of printer paper and found out that apparently the image on the screen is actually set up so that a course of 360 degrees "true North" is NOT directly at the top of the screen ! It's about 2 degrees "off". For most computer applications I wouldn't care, but in this case if I had proceeded without my makeshift ""plotting tool" I would be sitting aground on an island East of Shanghai right now....Looks like Larry tried the same thing and he got away with it too.....! Here is the link to a tool that I found useful. It is a triangular ruler that overlays the screen. The game tutorial mentioned it and I did use it to help chart the course through the islands at Shanghai. I wasn't quite successful. Apparently there are shoals near one of the islands because I ran aground even though my track showed me close but still offshore. I just happened to be watching at the time it happened so I didn't lose much. http://www.markus-bader.de/MB-Ruler/ Quote
Hirilonde Posted January 30, 2009 Posted January 30, 2009 I use a couple of drawing triangles and a permanent marker on my screen to plot routes and compare options. My screen frame has a ridge that holds the triangle square and allows me to compare wind arrow angles to check for lifts and headers. A "Sharpie" works well and cleans up with alcohol. I only wish the wind cells displayed their borders so I could be sure where I will cross from one to another. I really try to avoid pinching or running too directly down wind, it has the same effect as in real sailing. But sometimes missing an unfavorable wind cell, or getting into a really favorable one is worth it. Because wind cells and weather change times are digital and rather large (1 degree lat. x 1 degree long. and 12 hours) there are a few unrealistic things one can do that often prove very favorable. Quote
Ken_Potts Posted January 30, 2009 Posted January 30, 2009 there are a few unrealistic things one can do that often prove very favorable. Such as trying to end up at the border between wind cells when the wind shifts so you can choose the better cell for your point of sail... Drat! I just gave away my only secret! Quote
Docpal Posted January 30, 2009 Posted January 30, 2009 Larry, It was that tool which "showed"me that the compass heading was going to be off ! HOW do you get afloat after running aground in this game ( not that I plan on doing so...)? Glad to hear that my paper parallel rules aren't the only symptoms we're all showing... PS- Finally just finished, Dave any recommendations for a good place to eat in Qingdao? Quote
lbrewer Posted January 30, 2009 Author Posted January 30, 2009 HOW do you get afloat after running aground in this game ( not that I plan on doing so...)? I was able to sail about 90' away from where I was grounded. I just kept moving the compass rose till it showed my boat was moving. Larry Quote
lbrewer Posted February 1, 2009 Author Posted February 1, 2009 The entire messing-about fleet is in with the exception of Dennis in "Polar Dip", who after a brief visit with friends in Hainan, sailed directly to the Phillipines and hasn't been heard from since. Rumors of pirates and alien abductions abound, but I have another theory. He may have just realized that it is much warmer there than in the Northwest Territories this time of year, and decided on an extended vacation. . Results are as follows: Hirilonde Ebee Ann Debutante Yellow Scourge Morgaine Lady of the Lake RYD Yachts Wyvern PAR Yachts Polar Dip ???? (E.T., phone home!) Quote
PAR Posted February 1, 2009 Posted February 1, 2009 I thought some results might be interesting. Hirilonde: the top 1.4% of all competitors Ebee Ann: the top 7.8% of all competitors Debutante: the top 13% of all competitors Yellow Scourge: the top 17% of all competitors Morgaine Lady of the Lake: the top 18% of all competitors RYD Yachts: the top 23% of all competitors Wyvern: the top 27.2% of all competitors PAR Yachts: the top 27.3% of all competitors Polar Dip: the top 39% of all competitors There was an odd ball named Messing About, which has taken a very unusual course, is still attempting to finish, but possible using an over the ground route (trailering trouble I suspect). This boat didn't appear to be part of the group (correct me if I'm wrong) so their current place wasn't counted. The net result as a group was 19.3% of all competitors, Being within the top 20% of the fleet is very respectable. Congratulations to Hirilonde for a well planned route and fine finish in the top 1% of the field. I have to admit I was away from the computer for 24 hours, then again another 14 straight, which killed my showing. I can't figure out how I managed to beat Wyvern in. He had all the bells and whistles turned on, was beating me from day one, but I snuck in a few minutes ahead of him. Quote
ChrisObee Posted February 2, 2009 Posted February 2, 2009 I can't figure out how I managed to beat Wyvern in. He had all the bells and whistles turned on, was beating me from day one, but I snuck in a few minutes ahead of him. I blew it by going to dinner and a movie. > I suffered two bad shifts of wind in the last 200 km one of which left me with no headway with about 10 km to run. Disgracefull. Quote
Ken_Potts Posted February 2, 2009 Posted February 2, 2009 I agree - Congratulations to Hirilonde for the 1.4 percentile and to the group (minus the missing Canadian) for the respectable finish overall. But most of all - Congratulations to Dennis for finding a warmer climate and better things to do ;D I might go have to go AWOL when we get to South America. Quote
Ken_Potts Posted February 12, 2009 Posted February 12, 2009 Get ready for the next leg. It's starting in one day and six hours... Quote
Hirilonde Posted February 13, 2009 Posted February 13, 2009 I'm ready, I think. This leg is going to take over a month. I am so tempted to buy the add ons. Hard to justify to my wife, self even, considering I am unemployed. See everyone tonight at the start. Quote
Ken_Potts Posted February 13, 2009 Posted February 13, 2009 During one week of the race I'll be navigating from a remote cabin in the Sierra Nevadas. I don't know if there's an internet connection. I might spend some time in irons but I'll enjoy the snow ;D Quote
lbrewer Posted February 13, 2009 Author Posted February 13, 2009 I am so tempted to buy the add ons. I can't remember many trips over an hour long that I didn't need a "(insert whatever was missing here)", but I seem to have made it anyway. I'm not going to buy any of the add ons either. Being a virtual race, we can call it adventurous instead of foolhardy when we don't provision for all contingencies. With that said, I sure hope the pro sails option is sponsored again. We wouldn't stand a chance of a decent finish without them in a 12000 nm race. Larry Quote
Hirilonde Posted February 13, 2009 Posted February 13, 2009 With that said, I sure hope the pro sails option is sponsored again. We wouldn't stand a chance of a decent finish without them in a 12000 nm race. Larry They are being sponsored again. Quote
Hirilonde Posted February 14, 2009 Posted February 14, 2009 That sure wasn't the predicted wind change. That low was supposed to sit there another 12 hours. Quote
PAR Posted February 15, 2009 Posted February 15, 2009 I took that gamble (the low would shrink quickly) and headed south shortly after the start. I wish I'd made this decision sooner, as all the leaders did. Interestingly, the boat that won leg three and four has taken a northeasterly route, likely hoping to jibe down in the bigger winds expected tomorrow. Of course being stuck at a boat show all day, without access, I missed many shifts and now am not bunched with the leaders anymore. Debutante you're off to a good start. After 24 hours of racing, the fleet is beginning to string out a bit. Debutante is 8 miles behind the leader. PAR is 16 miles behind the leader. Ebee Ann is 19 miles behind the leader. RYD is 21 miles behind the leader. Wyvern and Hirlonde are 23 miles behind the leader. Southbound is 34 miles behind the leader. Morgaine Lady of the Lake is 46 miles behind the leader. Messing About is 89 miles behind the leader. Quote
adla Posted February 16, 2009 Posted February 16, 2009 I probably wouldn't have sailed so far off target but my house was robbed the other night and I have other things on my mind...back on track now! a. Quote
Hirilonde Posted February 16, 2009 Posted February 16, 2009 Ow, I hope nothing of real personal value was taken. Well, we are not only spread way out, but taking very different courses. I am at the extreme NE of the "path" for Messing-About by 120 nm. PAR is at the SW extreme of the "path" by 250 nm or so. Aldrabra, the overall leader to date is well NE of me, as is Ariadna, another top boat. They are behind most of us now, but there must be some logic to their decision, they do consistently well from leg to leg. Its a really long leg, and no real way to compare strategies until the Horn. And that is weeks away. Quote
lbrewer Posted February 16, 2009 Author Posted February 16, 2009 A.though I did not see it at the start, I see the logic of their decision now (Ariadna & Aldabra) as I try to inch more eastward. My decision to take the more southerly route to the ocean is coming back to bite me. This is definitely a learning experience for me. Larry Quote
adla Posted February 17, 2009 Posted February 17, 2009 hey Dave - lots of stuff taken...not good. And it sets me back...quite a ways! Property damage and all kinds of problems. Wanted to have the Birder material ordered...but lost a cell phone 2 weeks or so ago and then this! SOB is luck I wasn't home or that I didn't arrive home while he was here...I would have shot him I'm really very nice, but I have my limits. I think I have my groove back in the race! a. Quote
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