A Q2m feel-good race

This is just a feel good post about the beautiful Virtual 2m from Qyv, aka the Q-2m. Not only is it cute, - it sails so great you simply gotta love both the boat and the virtual sailing.

A little prestart trimming

So here we are, "noodling" around in the hectic prestart, trying to figure optimum trim for this weather. It's Victor Cruiser at the helm. We really met to talk about the Dragon. Then this race was announced, and we rushed off to get the Q2m ready. We made it but...

Need better timing

Our timing wasn't very good. We started like a minute after the gun. Victor has no Speedpuck or other timing device in his boat, and he didn't ask me to time the start. Me, I didn't think of it. I am used to the Flying Fizz, which has that built-in timer. I looked through my fizzy-posts, and I realize I never really photographed that instrument in the Flying Fizz... The best shot is probably the current top image or this seanemagraph.

Started

Despite the fact that the Q-2m has no compass, vane or telltales, it is a fun racer. It supports most of the WWC features, so there is also a nice degree of realism. The racing feeling is definately there. Just take a look at the picture above.

Definately racing

Here's another shot.Oh yes, - we're definately racing. Victor and me, we're last... small boat kinda like in the middle of the picture. However, - we were given a chance to catch up. This next shot shows the second boat rounding the top mark. The first boat is sailing off in the sunshine...

Second boat rounding

See what's gonna happen? We're the boat to the right, - way behind. Before us we have four boats in a close race approach... Hehe, - opportunity of a life time. This next shot is the perfect reason why it is great to crew. There's so much more time to take pictures, when you're not steering.

ROOOM !! 

Sadly, - there was only little chaos and little shouting, Duh... these racers need to get their pulse up. That would give us in the back a chance to come forward, hehe.

Samlara rounding

We didn't pass anyone. So, - here's a shot of Samlara rounding the next mark. I love the customizations she did to her boat and sails. Looks like she is sheeting out a bit early. Maybe she wants to make sure it's a close rounding.  Dunno.

On to the finish or...

Here we are on approach to the finish line. We almost made it, but 50 meters before the line Victor crashed. The boat sailed on, but I was unable to grab the helm and correct the course, and we missed the line by 10 meters or so... Maybe - in the next version of the Q-2m - the crew can take over when the skipper crashes? That would be a very useful feature, but then there is rule 47.2... In any case, the Q2m is such a nice little boat. It's gonna be hard to beat.

Here's more on the Virtual 2m.

What a wonderful world

I finally got around testing that Laser I found. I wanted some peace and quiet, so I checked the map, and I found a really sweet spot. A quiet little "secret" island with a few trees and a lagoon, - and absolutely no haze. Then I unpacked the Laser, sails and the trolley, put on my new shades and I was all set. This looked like the beginning of a wonderful day of sailing. Wouldn't you agree?

Unpacking

When I was just about to set sail, Razor called and started to talk nerdy. I just love that, so we ended up sailgeeking about boats, sailengines, trimindicators, huds and what nuts sailgeek stuff. It was fun; Sailgeeking is usually more fun, when you are not alone. Time flies... Razor took off; I really had RL stuff to do, but I was so  looking forward to take that Laser for a spin.

Sailgeeking

Then I had another call. Now, it might look like a remote location, but I have four bars on the signal indicator on my iPhone out here. Anyways, it was Lordmaldaine; He won the lottery or something, and now he wanted to know what boat to get for some good and fun racing.

More sailgeeking

After a while, it became clear that he was in bad need of a guided tour. I gave him my coordinates, launched a few of my favourite boats, and we looked, talked and walked... Luckily the ocean floor is pretty steep right outside the lagoon; On the picture you can see Lordmaldaine standing in the water - kneedeep - right beside the beautiful QSM40.

Set sail...

So finally we kinda decided, the right boat might be the cute little Q2m; It's pretty, easy to handle, sails like a dream, has room for a friend, and it is actively raced. We watched the movie of a race with 11 boats at the line, and then we took her for a spin. Zoom in and you can see the Laser in the lagoon behind us.

Pretty pretty area

We had a wonderful time; Me, I was enjoying the views. I haven't really sailed in this area before. Lordmaldaine was stunned by the beauty of the boat, and the simplicity in the handling. The feel is simply magnificent in the Q2m. No wonder so many people like it.

Mmmmm

First we made a few tacks upwind, and then we turned around to get the quiet downwind reward. After that I believe I sold a Q2m, hihi. Back to the lagoon, sails down, more boat talk while Lordmaldaine had a cig, and that was really the end of the day. Wanna see the island?

The island

Here it is. Doesn't get much better than that, huh! Ahh, good point, - I didn't really get to do what I came here for. A test sail of that laser. Doesn't matter. Today, the chocolatebox gave me something else. That's life, and as long as it's got to do with friends and boats, - it's really ok.

Goodnight

It was indeed a wonderful day of virtual sailing in a wonderful world of little islands. I can test the Laser tomorrow. Now, If I could only remember... did I put the tent in the QSM40 or the Q2m. Hmm. Gonna have to go look. Goodnight...

PS: More on the beautiful Q2m.

11 boats at the line

I gotta show you this, while it is fresh. Previously I wrote about the Q 2m from Quest Marine. It is an absolute delight to sail that boat. Swift, pretty and easily handled but still challenging enough to be fun.

A pretty picture of a pretty boat

Realistic polars, very nice dynamics, great sounds, and you can bring a friend too. It really doesn't get much better :-) Luckily it seems I am not the only one who likes the Q 2m. It is really catching on as a racing boat.

A few days ago I came across this amazing video of some pretty realistic racing. It's filmed by Hawk, the dude you see in the clip. I think it is from somewhere in Blake, but I am not entirely sure. Anyway, check it out, - and check that port start. Skewed wind allright, and perhaps also currents? Dunno...

 Liv and I testing the Q 2m south of Blake.

Regretfully I wasn't there, but I sure will look for graded Q 2m events in the future. Graded? Yes, we have regular graded races, and the ranking can be seen on slsailing.co.

2m Class goes virtual, take two

In take one I had pictures of the prototype. Now I have pictures of the real thing. Say hello to the final virtual 2m sailboat, the Q-2m. It  is is small, it is beautiful, and it sails like a dream. Have a look at the real deal: class2m. As always, Qyv has done a really great job replicating a real boat, so the virtual Q 2m is very pretty. Here I am, flapping sails, while I wait for Liv to arrive. Have a look:

Not only do they look flappy, - they sound flappy too.

Beautifully sculpted hull, beautifully shaped sails, lovely sounds and a modified BWind sail system. It sure looks like a real sailboat. Waves, wind, current, drift - yes drift, flapping sails... it sure feels like a real sailboat too. Oh, and you can wing the jib, if you need more speed downwind.

Take off

In fact this baby gives me the same kind of sailing rush as the 2.4mR boat. The 2.4mR is even smaller, though. Check it out via this link: 24metre Yes, it is real. The sensation of speed is intense in small boats, because the water is so close.

Virtual sailing at it's best

Coming back from the 2.4mR link, the Q 2m looks huge, and it is. In fact it's a two seater. Made for daysayling. Here we are roaring past a beautiful coconut island. Desserted it seems, but some are inhabited. I guess here's a Norwegian escaping from the Norse cold and rainy winter.

Shallow Norwegian waters

We went on sailing for half an hour in this area with no problems what so ever. The sim crossings we hardly ever noticed. It seems small boats sail better in SL. They appear to cross sim borders easier. So this boat is ideal for racing. If I close my eyes, I can easily imagine a fleet of 10 2m-ers starting right off the coast of Dex.

Yeah! More weeeee...

This boat will make you go Weeee again and again. It is pretty, and if you look at the picture above, you can almost feel it in your stomach; The sensation when a boat has the power to plane. Weeee! I wonder if I can pimp the 2m... I wouldn't wanna sail a black boat.

Picture this in PINK

Pink is more my style. Royal blue with three white stripes would be nice too. Is there a cupholder? Can I add a compass. I'd better get inworld and write a note to Qyv. I think I will start by writing: Weeee, - I like!!! This is definately one of those boats you just gotta have. It's a blast...