Manuls Ten is going freebie

This just arrived in my mailbox: Manuls beautiful Ten is going freebie... Woohooo! If ever you wanted a superclassy boat for cruising with a friend this is it. It offers smooth sailing, easy handling and it's a neck turner.

I'm in love :-D

Talk about raising the barre. I mean... when I think back to my first rez day and what was available for sailing back then. OMG this is so much better. More sailing pictures and a few words on sailing the Ten here...

Manuls Ten is out

Virtual sailing just got better. The Ten is out. Yes, it's Manuls beautiful Ten, an almost legendary boat that so many people have seen and dreamt of but never sailed. Manul never really took it to market, but his partner, Tawnielee - somehow - managed to persuade Manul to release it. An updated version is now available for a bargain price. Not only that. There's two boats for the price of one. I sailed it one morning not too long ago.

Two Tens for the price of one

Here's me after receiving the package with the two Tens. There's the original wooden boat, and there's also a plastic remake. I must admit I tend to favour the wooden one, but both are - ofcourse - completely true to the original and unique design by Manul Rotaru. That's right. The Ten is 100% Manuls brain child. It is a virtual sailboat that exists only in SL, and it is the first and only time so far, I wanted to move a boat from SL to RL !!

Early morning sail

While I sat there debating with myself which one to sail, Dutch suddenly appeared. He was kinda curious about the boat, so sails up and off we went. I've said it before: There is nothing like an early morning sail. I guess it's the combination of fresh air, the quietness, the long shadows, the different colours. All mixes up and your heart magically becomes lighter. This time was no exception.

Heading south

We sailed south for a while. Noone said a word. We just sat there and took it all in: The breeze, the sounds and the sunrise. I noticed the Ten had been updated to the latest BWind sail engine. The first time I sailed the Ten it was running on an elderly version. This one is much more responsive, has better  sounds and it comes with flapping sails. You can also toggle the hud off and sail by feel only.

We were not alone

After a while, Dutch had things to do, so he hopped off. Not sure if he paged that helicopter or what. Probably not. Anyway, it was just me and the boat. So what's there to notice? It sails like a dream. Really. It is very easy to handle, pretty stable and it turns heads. What's there not to like, hehe.

Add birds to the soundscape

Honestly? There are a few parts of the Ten that are not completely up to date. It's not easy to see on these pics, but the sails are flat, and there are no sheets. While I'd usually object to this, I will make an exception here. This is such a pretty boat and it sails so nicely I am willing to forget those two things. In fact I already forgot. Besides, you never know if there will - one day - be an update...

Heading north again

Anyway. I sailed her around the Blake for some thirty minutes before I set a northerly course up the east coast of Pslande. Passed the Schiffsratten clubhouse and soon I found myself in the open waters of Rivadulla; Look what I met there...

Meeting a Baby Sloop

Out of the morning haze came roaring... a Baby Sloop! The original Becky Baby Sloop that was used to develop and test the BWind 2 engine of the Ten. It was close hauled and quite heeled over, so I tried to catch up. Turns out the Baby Sloop is faster than she looks. I gained but I didn't manage to catch her before I was back at Tradewinds.

Catching a Baby Sloop

Perhaps I was too busy enjoying the view and taking pictures. I thought I trimmed quite a bit, but then again I had switched the HUD off. Dunno. It's not important anyway. It was an amazing morning with a fantastic sail in a beautiful boat. Besides, I can always tweak the Ten to go like a rocket, hehe.

Back at Tradewinds

So here we are... Back at Tradewinds. The Baby Sloop already moored. Conclusions? This is an absolute must have boat. It's super pretty, it sails super deliciously and it is dead easy to handle. There's no complicated sails, but if you must sail wind in back, you can wing the jib. It is the perfect match for a beginner looking for a day cruiser; And it will turn the head of any experienced sailor.

Where can you get it? Ask TawnieLee Rotaru or check the Rotaru Bootshaus.

PS: More about the Ten at Orcas World.

The Ten from Manul

A few weeks ago I happened to see the beautiful Ten moored at Tradewinds YC. Yesterday I sailed it  with its constructor, - and I was not disappointed. It's truely a true beauty at sea. Probably one of the best looking virtual boats available in SL. I am sure many will agree:

The Ten 

I have covered a few boats by now. Pretty ones too. The Virtual Dragon is one of them. The Virtual Laser is another. This one is different. It is the first of its kind in a certain respect. See if you can guess what I mean, or read on for the answer. 

Upwind is a breeze

Why did an absolutely great looking boat, such as the Ten, never go into mass production? It's because Manul is not really into that. He just builds out of love for sailing. Obviously. Now, - I can make no promises, but it is springtime, and I did hear the birds sing a little song about the Ten...

Somewhere south of Tradewinds

The Ten is - according to the constructor - inspired by the H-Boat and the Soling. I immediately saw the Soling part, but I'll admit I also saw Knarr and Dragon. All four I know from my RL waters, and that's probably why the Ten makes me feel right at home. 

Smooth sailing downwind as well

She sails like a charm. Easy to handle. Probably due to the BWind sailing-engine. It's not the newest version, but it is still good. However, I can't help thinking how she would sail with the latest and greates from Becca. Dreams, you might say. True, but dreams are at the beginning of every change, are they not?

Dreaming about boats

Just click this image, and tell me you wouldn't wanna be on that boat. Be honest. Are you back from the high rez image? It's a good thing wooden boats are easy to maintain in a virtual world, hehe. Hundreds of hours were never spent to make her shine like that.

Back at Tradewinds... still dreaming

Seven days of sanding and painting, followed by two days of wax on, wax off... Every year. No Sir. We don't use that. But that's not what makes this boat special. Did you figure it out? You see, there are so many real boats I'd like to see replicated into virtual sailing. Like I said, this one is different. Any bells ringing?

This is an original and unique design, purely constructed and built in the virtual world. It is the first boat I'd like to see go the other way, - replicate from virtual to the real world. If I had a million, I'd call the local boatyard and ask them to build a real Ten for me. Right now. And I'd be so proud to sail it. Thanx for the ride, Manul. I loved it.

Speaking of beauty

The planes are gone. Tradewinds is back to normal. Almost. At the now relatively empty pier I found this:

Wauw

It doesn't take en expert to see that this is a boat beyond the ordinary. Built with love. Screaming for salty action. I simply had to climb on board. No Harbourmaster around so here goes...

Sneaked on board

It's lovely. Asolutely lovely. Not entirely sure what type of boat it is. It appears to have elements from both the Soling, the Knarr and the Dragon. Or something like that. 10 meters of sailing pleasure.

Dreaming

This is what I'll dream of tonight. Taking this baby to sea. It must be a fantastic sailing machine. Todo: Call builder and ask for a trip. Till then I'll just be tripping... Talk about beauty.

Is there anything inworld even remotely as pretty as this? The Cotton Blossom perhaps? Or maybe Rene's 20m which can be seen in the last picture of this post.