Bent into shape

More good news from the Laser-lab. A few days back I asked if anyone could spot, what was missing on the Laser. The good news is: This one thing I was referring to, whatever it was, is no longer a missing feature.

Weeeeee

Dutch was not exactly enthused by the thought of redoing the part in question. He made it sound like a very big deal, but somehow his magic worked overly well. Soon after - few hours after actually - there was a new an improved version in my mailbox. I rushed inworld to sail it.

Can you see it?

When I logged in, I got a message about a VO70 race in the North Sea, so I decided to sail from the Mango Marina. Haven't been there for ages. There was a good breeze - like 15 knots or so, so it was great fun with  plenty of planing. And the missing feature? 

Can you see it now?

Here it is in full detail, and if you cannot spot it now, you either need glasses or you've never seen a real Laser. First one to mention it in the comments I'll send a postcard. No, not you Dutch :-D

Coconut Island?

Besides the Laser itself, the sailing in the North Sea is always a pleasure. While the real North Sea is cold and windy, - the virtual North Sea is warm, friendly and full of little coconut islands like the one in the back. Yummy. Sailing "knife in teeth" is fun, but sailing "sand in toes" is nice too.

Indians in the North Sea

Here's another few islands. The one to the left has a tipi on it. Never hear of the North Sea indians, but there you go. The vikings sailed to New Foundland, so why shouldn't the indians sail the other way? Ahh, there's another feature that is now working. The centerboard now works as expected. 

Centerboard working

It actually comes up and down when you "tell it to". Pretty neat, hehe; Most importantly it makes it easier to round a mark and get planing right away. It'll start planing on a reach, so if you execute the rounding carefully, you can be planing even before you are on course to the next mark.

Hiking strap working too

There's just one more thing I'd like to mention. If you check the first pic, you can see the hiking strap holding my feet. It's bent upwards. On this shot here, I am not using the strap, and you can (just) see it hanging loose. How's that for attention to detail?

While the attention to detail is immense, the real keyword for this boat is "refreshing". I had a truly  refreshing sail with this baby in the North Sea. Refreshing as in - it felt like sailing. This boat looks so real, you automatically expect it to be like a real boat. It's almost there. I still miss a few details such as the vane on the Shelly Fizz, and there's other stuff I'd like to add. Nevertheless, I can't wait to sail it again... 

Relax!

Sometimes virtual life is about cruising, sometimes it's about racing, and sometimes it is about relaxing, getting a break from a stressed workday. Yesterday, I visited Samlara in Eden, and after that I explored a bit and found this place:

The North Sea

It's the North Sea out there. Nice view huh? After a while a couple came out on deck of that boat. They danced for a few minutes. Couldn't hear the music. Then they sailed off in a cloud of smoke and pure peace and harmony was restored.

Relaxation

Ahh... Maximize the picture to get the full Zen-effect. Can you feel it? The island whispering come, explore. The lighthouse out there saying "come see what's beyond!"... Have a great weekend.

More spectacular views from the North Sea.

A North Sea hors d'oeuvre

So what's out there? Water! Lots of it, - and islands. So many islands. I can't show you the entire North Sea. That would take hundreds of photos. Instead, I'll show you a few shots to tickle your imagination. Call it a starter, antipasti, hors d'oeuvre... In one of the corners of the North Sea we find the Mango Marina. Lets have a look...

The ambience

It is the perfect place to go, if you need a shot of that marina ambiance, and it is the perfect place to launch your favourite boat and go for a cruise. The marina ambiance is definately there. Just click the image above, lean back, take a deep breath and you can almost feel the salty air on your skin.

The clubhouse

It is a beautiful marina. There are a million things to look at or do. It has (of course) mooring, - a clubhouse, a lighthouse, a lounging area, a small theater, a tennis court, a beautiful view from the tower of the clubhouse...  and a whole lot more. In fact I don't think I will be able to cover it all in this post. Go there and explore.

The view

The water? Oh, it's definately out there. Check out the view, mmmmhmmm; I can feel the urge to get out there just by looking at this picture. Wanna see how it looks, sailing? Ok, a few days ago I took the Cotton Blossom II for a spin from this marina. It was lovely. Pictures here in case you missed it.

The lighthouse

Not "oceanic" enough for you? Ok, then check the pictures from my cruise in the LeetleCat II. Those pictures are available here. However, it's not all about cruising. There is racing too. Serious racing. To give you an idea  of what that means, check out the post about dry training in the QSM40.

The Zen

No, I am not a sun-worshipper. Ok, I'll admit I love sunshine, but the view here... It is simply breath taking. Climbing that rock for a few minutes of meditation... Yummy. What a stress reliever. Incidentally, the Cotton Blossom is right over there, "in" the palm leaves.

The Cotton Blossom II 

Not sure how many palms there are around the real North Sea. None where I go. I suppose the south coast of England has palms. It's close but it's not really the North Sea. However, a little higher temperatures would seem like an improvement to the real thing. Bikini, sunglasses and a Flying Fizz? Oh yes, let's do what Alex and Taru does. Let's get out there. See the islands.

PS: I wonder how long it would take to circumnavigate the North Sea in a Foiling Moth.

The Cotton Blossom II

Balduin Aabye is brewing again. This time - the result will be an updated version of the Cotton Blossom II. If you don't know what the Cotton Blossom is, then go to Balduin Aabyes website and read the story. Link here to the right, - or google for images of the Cotton Blossom II. Amazing pictures of a fantastic boat.

The Cotton Blossom in the North Sea

A few days back I sailed the Cotton Blossom around the North Sea with Serafina. We also explored the marina in Mango, but that's another story. The Cotton Blossom shares many features with the Bolero, so when she comes out, the Bolero will become less unique. That's because...

Telltales

The Cotton Blossom comes with live telltales. This is huge, because experienced sailors will instantly know how to trim the boat. Put that ugly hud away and sail by telltales, luffing sails, heel, wake sound and wind drift. Yes, wind drift too. Yummy. It's absolutely delicious. As is the North Sea...

Enjoying the North Sea and the Cotton Blossom

Ok, you can get the primitive hud still, if you must know those figures. It isn't pretty, but it's still there for you to switch on. On top of that, there is a new graphical hud with direction, windangle, and trim, which you can place freely. As much as I love to hate huds, I must admit that Balduins new hud is rather nice.

Those lovely telltales

Here's a closeup of those beautiful telltales. As with the Bolero, they are placed a little different from RL telltales, and this has to do with the fact, that the jib is hard to see when sailing. Hopefully there will be a next version, where I can sit on the sidedeck and see both the jib and the telltales in the jib. I will write to Santa about that.

Mango marina in the back

It also has many of the other well known Bolero features. A nice spin, easy to trim, and it collapes both visually and with sound, if you aren't paying attention. Improved dynamic sounds, and much improved dynamics overall. This boat is very lively. That's partly because it has full WWC support with waves, wind and current. 

Back to the marina.

Full WWC support also means, the Cotton Blossom features tactical racing, so who knows... maybe we will see a fleet of virtual Cotton Blossoms racing. Obviously I miss a few things, since the sailing engine is the same as the one in the Bolero. The boats feel different, but the features are rather much alike. Balancing is missing, and crewed sailing is too. The crew cannot trim the jib. Or the spin. I will write to Santa about that too.

Sails down and ready to moor. 

Overall, this is a fantastic boat. Very pretty, - well almost majestic, and very much fun to sail due to the well designed feedback. Not the huds. All the other stuff, that turns it into a virtual sailing sensation. And the inside... it's true to the original. U can take a nap on the couch, once you are done sailing. Just lovely. Virtual sailing as it should be. Thanx Balduin. 

PS: Someone told me to write, that these images deserve full screen viewing.

A little Cat in the North Sea

I've  been meaning to post about this little boat for a while. At the same time, I've been eagerly awaiting a new ocean called the North Sea; A few days back I got a note saying the North Sea was open. What a great opportunity to sail the Leetlecat II from Trudeau! So, - I logged in to Tradewinds Yacht Club and found my LeetleCat. Packed a sandwich and an orangina. Changed to something warmer, because I know the North Sea can be rough, tough and cold; Took off, and here I am...

Me and my LeetleCat in the North Sea.

Whoopsidaisy! Thats not a cat... Right, - it is not a cat as the ones they sail in AC. It is a so-called catboat, and it is a very nice one; A true Trudeau. Classy and with beautiful lines, only smaller than the J-Class. Not a computer designed plastic critter from outer space. Ok, I am sure AC45s can be fun to sail too, but helmets?  Anyway, - cats capsize as we've all seen lately. This LeetleCat does too. So beware; U need to trim correctly and balance the boat. And remember to drop the centerboard, or you won't go anywhere but sideways.

The North Sea ahead.

Palmtrees? Hey, maybe I can take of my sweater. Maybe later. In a post called "Taking off my sweater". Not. Back on track: This does not look like the North Sea at all, but who am I to complain. A nice and warm North Sea is much more fun than a cold one. Never thought I'd wanna go night swimming in the North Sea, but this... As you can see the boat is pretty well balanced. Even on a reach it is dead easy to steer - with the feet. I kinda like that. Much easier for me to eat my sandwich that way.

Leaving the palmtrees behind.

The steering is easy on an upwind course as well; Just remember to reverse the default steering. Most boats in SL will go to starboard, when you push the tiller to starboard. This one is different, and it makes perfect sense, because it is like a real boat: "Push left to go right". I can appreciate that. Only thing is, I've gotten so used to the "wrong" kind of steering. I guess I can be trained back to normal again...

Nice view; The vane works.

The sail looks nice and pretty, and the vane at the top of the mast seems to work, though it does appear to be a bit unstable. Perhaps a vane looks better on a catboat, but I would prefer a Windex. Just as I would very much like to have a few telltales, - or just one. The animation and sound when the sails luff is good, but when the sails luff, it is kinda too late to correct the trim. At least when racing. What else? Oh, wind drift. There is no wind drift. Very unnatural. If I just let the sails flap, the boat will stay still as if anchored. So, matchracing is out. Currents? Not supported either. Realistic racing and tactics are out? I spoke with the builder, so I know it is by design. Also, the waves aren't felt much.

Going back home to Tradewinds YC after a lovely day cruise.

The LeetleCat seats several persons, so it is good for cruising; No bunks, so it's a daycruiser. Balancing is supported. The crew takes part in the balancing, so again... It's actually fun and demaning to sail. Too bad there is no support for wind drift, currents and  telltales. The overall sailing experience? It is good. Very good. Nice sounds, nice looks, many features, - reefing event. Steer, trim and balance, - or capsize. On  top of that, there is a well working mouseview mode allowing you to look around - as in a real boat. All in all this is a very nice little leetlecat boat. A little more lively than the popular Trudeau-One. If you are a sailor, you will like this leetle beauty.

The North Sea? I love it. Set viewing distance to max and see nothing but water. I like. Eventually, it will have several race courses and probably some islands surrounding it. That's very nice too. Now all we need is a ferry crossing the North Sea; Tax-free shopping and London as the destination.