Sailboat Races

Thank you for taking a look ;p

tiny isles are like 600L per week if ur interseted lol

well tackle the place good! ;p

Thanks, everyone, for coming out to the "race" this evening. "Race" really needs a few more quotation marks around it. Sure, we had some problems. Like, for instance, how everyone could control anyone else's boat with chat commands. It was a good test, though.

I've since eradicated the cross-talk bug, and the boat is [at least 85%] ready for real racing. A couple of people have expressed interest in organizing races and/or making race rules. According to my notes, that would be Loki Pico, MarkTwain White, Robin Vogel, Jamie Marlin, and I know I'm missing a few. Maybe all these people can form a group of some kind and start communicating? You all can start by sounding off below.

How about we do another "just for fun" race next week? The Flying Tako is up to version 1.9 now, so go grab a fresh copy (still $1) and check out the latest features.

The cross talk was kind of a problem, but kinda fun.
Maybe you could save that option for "special" occasions
Of course, it was a shock when someone changed my red boat color to puke. Gakkk!!

Some things I learned at the first FT Regatta:
1- There are objects that protrude out over the water from people's property. These things can create problems. I had to delete and re-rez my boat twice when I got hung up.
2- I had to train myself to hit Escape to close the chat window so that I could send W and S commands to the sail.
3- The wind is altogether most unreliable. Never have I seen wind shifts in RL like we have in SL.

Kanker, you have a good thing going, and I'm glad to be here watching it happen.

Lower - moor - standup - done

I am interested in helping with racing rules... tho my in-world time has been limited this week. I would propose that simple is best, for now at least. Forget all the collision rules and the right of way rules and just have rules for starting, rounding the marks, and finishing. I really like a moving start... but even that might be too much for a fleet of novices. If you all like, I can write up a notecard with a 'first draft' and send it to everyone on Kanker's list for comments. The goal would be a simple one-page notecard that can be distributed to everyone prior to the race. Good plan?

-Jamie

Pituca - thanks for taking the pic. It didn't even occur to me, but then I was probably doing realtime debugging at that exact moment. And thanks for letting us race on your island sim.

Jamie - if you could write a draft of the rules, that would be great. Make sure you include Rmike on your list since I forgot to put him in mine. Think about what kind of rules we might need to establish for sailboat behavior. For instance, do we need to implement maximum speeds or turning rates? Or, should we try implementing our own wind "engine" that is not as variable as SL wind? Maybe you could post the draft rules to this thread in addition to sending them around in-world.

Rmike - I forgot to mention that you can use the arrow keys for turning and sail trim. This will allow you to chat simultaneously.

If anyone is interested, I am working on a sloop-rigged boat over near my dock, complete with working jib. I need to think a bit about how to model the jib's thrust. With two sails instead of one, we can have crewed races.

As Kanker has requested - here is a draft set of racing rules for people to comment on...
For now, I made these rules are as simple as possible.

1) Racing in SL is on the honor system. There are no judges or referees.

2) All racing boats must use an official, unmodified version of the "Flying Tako" sailboat script. (This rule may be changed later...)

3) All boats must complete the announced course using no propulsion except the wind / sailboat script. Pushing, dragging, and teleporting are not allowed.

4) Boats must cross the starting line after the start is announced.

5) If any part of the boat crosses over the start line before the start, that boat is "Over Early"

6) Boats that are "Over Early" must cross entirely back over the line and start again.

7) Racing boats may not do anything to artificially generate wind.

The first boat to cross the announced finish line is the winner.

That is about it. Any questions? Suggestions? Additions? Deletions?

-Jamie

Who's up for a race Thursday night? Like around 6 or 7 pm SL time? It will be somewhat informal, but we can try to use the rules that Jamie posted above. Jamie is also working on an automated start system and it may be ready in time for the race -- who knows? When I determine the exact time and venue, I'll post the info here and on the events board. I think I'll offer a $250 prize for first, $100 prize for second.

As Kanker knows I've enjoyed sailing my Taco too, but 6-7pm is a 2am start for me, and I don't race well at that time of night, although if I'm free I will try to come along.

Any chance of an earlier start one weekend? Sunday morning sailing anyone?

I took the script from the LSL wiki and tried it in a FairChang Sailing boat. Most impressed with it. This will NEVER be for sale (just a personal project) as I don't use others scripts in sales products. I love the way it works.

I have never sailed before (in RL) and yet I could get this Tako script powered boat moving and even got up to speeds of 5-7 at times. A real acheviement for Kanker to make it that accessable.

We are really happy to see FairChang Island being used for what we intended it. It is always open to players to use. So feel free to use it for practice, pleasure or holding races.

I look forward to the possibly 'Team' events, either teams of boats or crew teams.

I am also a brit and could not make the 2am (UK time start). Look forward to earlier races. I will be the one crashing into everyone and anything. lol

Thanks, Garth. Since you're offering, I think we'll race at FairChang on Thursday. I just need to figure out how to get FairChang to show up in my event locations list. As for earlier start times, I wouldn't mind racing in the morning or afternoon on weekends. What I'd like to do, once all the wrinkles are ironed out, is hold a series of races where the winner and runner-up from each race are awarded points. The points leader at the end of the series wins some kind of trophy that they can display on the prow of their Flying Tako. Prizes will be awarded for the individual races, as well. The races can be hosted by different people at different venues at different times of day. Only the rules need stay the same.

Might be able to .. course ill get lost ... 6 better then 7 SL time for me hehe

And when you crashed into me, Garth, you didn't mention that it was an actual wind-driven sailboat? Pfft.

I gotta get me one of those. On the subject of races, FairChang's neighbor isle, Montmartre, is home of the Giant Snail Races. RacerX Gullwing has an elaborate and well-tested scripted checkpoint system set up for that, you might chat with him if you were interested.

As for good sailing spots in-world...you have to do a bit of portage, i.e. draging the boat overland to water, but if you go to the Waterhead rezing area and push the boat into the water from there, you can have hours of beautiful sailing in those sims. Much of the land is still Linden-protected or Linden-developted (i.e. the new offices that I discovered up there) and there are also fantastic resident builds in Carlsisle and Ravenglass.

Count me in. Great work on the Tako. I spent over an hour sailing around FairChang sim this weekend and had a great time. I sailed many years ago in my youth and have been away from it for 30 years. It brought back some great memories and I would love to create some new ones.

Hopefully not of me crashing into the rest of you =]

Sailboat Race
Date: Thursday, July 7, 2005
Time: 6:00PM - 7:00PM (60 minutes)
Location: FairChang Island (140,20
Host: Kanker Greenacre
Category: Sports
Cover Charge? No

Event description: Racers, mark your calendars and click your "Notify" button -- we're racing Thursday evening at FairChang Island. The latest version of the Flying Tako will be provided free of charge, but feel free to race whatever NON-practice version you already own. Prizes for first ($150) and second ($50).

Dang, I've got class til 6:30. But I'll drop in when I can! Edit: Wait, today is Wedensday. Doh!

Wow, great race everyone! Big round of applause for Alisha Dingo (1st) and Oliphant Ming (2nd). We had a bunch of racers, let me see if I can remember everyone... Rmike Javelin, Colette Meiji, Tony Beckett, Bianca Charming, RacerX Gullwing, Champie Jack, Trep Cosmo... anyone else? Also, thanks to Verkin Raven for driving the pace boat in the second race.

If you didn't get an invite to the Second Life Sailing Federation group, you can join yourself up - just search for it under groups and click "Join Now."

A lot of people wanted to race this weekend. I'm thinking maybe one race Saturday morning, and another race Sunday evening? Watch this space and the events board for details.

awws Rmike

Thats right at my home - Lakeville sim (near 40, 140) - I been away for couple weeks, and this was an excellent treat to come home to! THANKS LL!!

I'll be sailing around a LOT out there in that L-shaped area Rmike - just gimme a hollah if you want some company

Feel free to dock at my place anytime or rez boats there too (just don't dent mah FairChang Sailer LOL!) - its the wooden deck/adobe walls with Venus Rising out of the sea - there's a pool and hot tub too for post-sailing relaxing Its the Hedonist HQ after all hehe

I hope to get out to these sailing events too!! Wonderful idea!!

From the Events Board:
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Sailboat Race
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Date: Saturday, July 9, 2005
Time: 8:00AM - 9:00AM (60 minutes)
Location: Midnight City (127,15)
Host: Kanker Greenacre
Category: Sports
Cover Charge? No

Event description: Hey - another sailboat race! This one is for early risers or non-American-continentians (sp?). Same place (FairChang Island), new time (8 am). Look for me, Kanker Greenacre, on the water near the marina. Official race boats will be provided. Prizes for first ($150) and second ($50) place. Bring your A-games, folks, and pray to the Lindens for steady winds.

*If you can't make this race, try the Sunday race at 7 pm!*




Sailboat Race
----------------
Date: Sunday, July 10, 2005
Time: 7:00PM - 8:00PM (60 minutes)
Location: FairChang Island (140,20
Host: Kanker Greenacre
Category: Sports
Cover Charge? No

Event description: Hey - another sailboat race! This one is for the left coasters. Same place (FairChang Island), new time (7 pm). Look for me, Kanker Greenacre, on the water near the marina. Official race boats will be provided. Prizes for first ($150) and second ($50) place. Bring your A-games, folks, and pray to the Lindens for steady winds.

Results from this morning's race at FairChang Island:
1st Place: Eloise Pasteur ($150)
2nd Place: Tony Beckett ($50)

Other racers: Brace Coral, mush Caldera, and Bobby Dayton.

Hey, we're racing for fun Sunday morning, 8 am, FairChang Island. And then there's the race for prizes at 7 pm.

Anyone think we should start a race series yet?

Hello?... hello... hello...
Echo... echo... echo...
Pinch hitting for Pedro Borbon... Manny Mota... Mota... Mota...

Yes. I think more people need to really give the Tako a try and see what kind of skill it takes to get the most speed from every wind angle and desired direction of travel.

I'd also like to see longer races, since then it isn't quite the leader at the start that leads to the finish. You can make Fairchang longer by using the open area to lay down a water version of an autocross track, with a few barriers requiring a little extra manuvering, but still enough room for 3-4 boats to go abreast if needed.

I was one of the competitors in Saturdays race. I did miserable. How about some sailing lessons. Sailing in the real thing is much easier I find

Today at 4pm UK time there will be a 'fun race' I'll happily give tips if you want.

But just like real sailing start off with a nice big empty sim and get used to the boat. I got used to steering despite the wind by sailing from my house to some void sims and then home.

The challenge sailing in SL is the ever fickle, insanely fickle winds that we are given to sail with. I find that I spend a lot of time watching the pennant and the HUD to judge the winds and praying (or swearing at it changes from a 25 knot tail wind to a similar headwind).