Who is that guy?

 Who is that guy, and how does he afford to travel so much? He seems to be everywhere...

Bernie travels a lot

Now he's even sitting here at the round table at Tradewinds YC! Since he's here  without actually being here, I suppose you could say he's virtually here - sorta. So what's it mean to be virtually there in a virtual world?

Flying Fizz Cat

A Flying Fizz Cat??

 WTF? Just saw it floating by the pier. Didn't have time to investigate, so took this shot. When I returned to check it out it was gone..? A Flying Fizz Cat???

The famous Elvstrom quote

Here's a little something I wanted to do for a long time... First the "thing" itself: That famous Paul Elvstrøm Quote: "If in the process of winning, you have lost the respect of your competitors, you have won nothing", Paul Elvstrøm. There you have it Tillerman - That's what he said.

The original sign from Nassau Yacht Club

Now, I haven't actually heard Paul say precisely that, but he might very well have said something similar, when he visited us in opticlass. It's a goes back a few (many) handfull of years. Memory is one thing, but at the time I was probably too young to take notice while practicing my bowline knots.

Regardless, after racing a bit in SL - Yes there's racing going on, I felt like sticking it on the wall at Tradewinds YC.

Fiddling with signs at Tradewinds

It's rather unreal, but someone actually sent me a real life photo of the sign. It's on a wooden fence or wall. Presumably near the dinghy "parking area" in Nassau YC. (Yes, that Nassau; More civilized now). I cut it out - keeping the screws and all, and here's me fiddling with signs, screws and stuff at the red shack of my favourite virtual yacht Club: Tradewinds YC.

The final result

And here's the final result. That famous quote from Paul on the sign from Nassau Yachtclub is now a famous quote on the wall of the famous red shack at Tradewinds Yachtclub. Wooohooo. I like! U like?

Fizzing around

Just went to TYC to have a look around... Had a nice chat with Ana, said hi to Dutch and decided to go fizzing with Liv... After some fiddling with the Fizz we figured out there was another windsetter nearby - messing up our wind. Who need 25 knots for a relaxed afternoon sail?

Sailing south

Eventually we figured out how to "override" it, and we sat a course for Blake. Sails up and away we went... Turns out Ana was right: The Fizz works quite well, now that the SL platform has caught up with it in terms of computing power.

Smooth sailing

We kinda raced though neither of us said so; Probably we were equally rusty on the delicate details of Fizz-trimming. Here it says 4.7knots, but it maxxed at 5.4. Sometimes it stayed at 5.3 for a while. It takes precision steering to find the sweet spot, which is a bit hard to do while taking pictures.

Crash and burn

Not everything is perfect, so my boat crashed while I was taking pictures and at the same time crossing a sim border. Bang! I sat at the seafloor - still hiking. So I had to TP out of there and get me a new boat. Chose a slightly older version - for stability... different paintjob too.

Race rock in sight

Liv was already rounding the race rock when I had it in sight, so we yelled hi as we passed... Me round the rock and back up north trying to catch Liv. She's not that easy to catch as she probably spent way more time in the Fizz...

There it is

The race rock looked like it's good ole self. Some things never change. However the wind did, so I had to beat upwind to get back home. Eeew.

Hiking up north to get back to TYC

Eventually I gave in and TPed to Liv; She was just south of TYC, so I flew back home and took a landing shot.

Mind the pier

And here she is... landing at the pier at Tradewinds Yacht Club after a nice sail; In the same boat all the way. Such a nice ride round the Blake, and yes... the Fizz isn't easy, but it is still worth a try or two. Amazing since it's from 2007. Not entirely sure when I discovered it, but here's my first post with the Fizz... back in 2010. That post is my second post ever. I think the Fizz 3 came into existence in 2009. Or thereabouts...

It's still there...

I've been busy elsewhere, but now that King Winter has my RL in a firm and frozen grip, it's time to check out those sweet virtual waters again. Yes, it's been a while, but... It's still there. 

Relaxing

SL lives on and so does Tradewinds YC. I logged in, rezzed my lovely Ushuaia, and within two minutes another boat passed by. Some things have changed a bit. Ahab has moved his office, and the pier layout is a bit different, but apart from that not much happened.

Enjoying the sunrise

I went sailing and I even met a few ppl from back in the days. One of which told me about an upcoming series of events at Tradewinds. Sailboat events that is. Racing. I better pop in a bit more often to check it out. Right now it's way too cold to go sailing in RL. 

The Trump Issue

Yesterday I received a rather disturbing message from Tradewinds YC in SL. It read: "You've been evicted from the group Tradewinds Yacht Club". Or something. I went "huh!". I knew I hadn't been online much lately, so it couldn't be something I'd done. Today I logged in to see what's going on, and whoa... I found TYC completely littered with signs with all sorts of statements. Check this out:

Signs at TYC...

My first thought was that this was an odd type of griefing. but then I remembered the message. It was actually sent by Tasha herself; Very strange. So all this would be Tasha's idea of a bright lit future for Tradewinds YC? Hmmm. I wandered on and found this:

Another sign at TYC

What's this about? Clearly, someone squeezed way too much lemon in Tasha's tea. Over by the boatshed I found a clickable thingy that gave me a clue. Sort of. It was a message from Tasha explaining - or rather outlining - some recent changes in the TYC Charter. Hmm. Interesting. I walked on and found more signs and posters. How about this one:

And another one...

Yup. She's mad. Not that she's gone mad. More like really angry. Still, the explaining text I found didn't quite point at one particular event or person. It just stated stuff about fairness, equality of races and sexes plus something on global heating. Common sense stuff to most people I'd say, so wtf?? This next banner leaves no doubt what this is about.

And another...

So it is the Trump Issue. I had a feeling it could be that, but I never thought it would move into SL like this. I mean, I've known Tasha for many years, and I have never seen her perform an outburst like this one. The Tasha I know is sweet, sensible and intelligent. What gives...

And another...

Ok, I'll admit that I too am a bit worried by Trumps doings so far. In fact I believe that more than half the world watched in disbelief as he took office. Those tweets during the campaign wasn't just hot steam escaping. However, it's not all bad. I kinda get the idea that everything shouldn't be made in China. Not that I hate the Chinese people or anything. I don't. It just doesn't make sense to produce everything in one place and send it half way across the planet. Besides, it's unbalanced. Also, it seems kinda fair that Europe should do their part of protecting... uhm... Europe. But that's about all there is to like. I totally get the message on the above sign.

And another...

Turns out there is a new TYC group for those able to symphasize with the signs at TYC. I signed up. Thank you Tasha for letting us know that not all Americans are Trumpeteers. We were kinda worried. We still are, but at least now we know that we're not alone.

So what's your thoughts? Is Trump good or bad, or is he somewhere inbetween?

And the British... or should I narrow it down to the English... Where are they in all this? So busy leaving EU that they'll be the next star in the US flag? I sincerely hope not. 

Exotic Boats Show

Some quest Ahab is on here... Coming up this summer: Exotic Boats Show! Can't wait to see it...

Exotic boats 

Today everything has giant code zeros, bow spirits and foils; If you see a boat without foils you can be sure it will have a swing keel and plane on an upwind in 6 meters per sec. So Houston we have a probem: When foiling is so yesterday, what's an exotic boat these days?

Working Boat Show

There's been a huge Working Boat Show running at Tradewinds for a few weeks or so. Haven't had much time inworld lately, but I hopped in to have a look...

Working Boat Show 2015

There are all sorts of boats - small fishing boats, ferries, gunboats and whats not. Most of them are really nice builds.

The "Ahab-view"

Here's the Ahab view - taken from the top plateau of the lighthouse. Quite crowded.

west-side

While the east side seems to be reserved for the small and medium sized vessels, the west-side holds a few larger ships such as the ferry and the container-carrier.

Checking out the details

I received an email about the show closing on the 4th of december, so today is your last chance... possibly today...

Wooden boatshow

There's a wooden boatshow running at Tradewinds. Boats started to arrive a couple of days ago, and now the marina is almost full. I am pretty sure Ahab will be running in circles later today to organize it all.

Wooden oldtimers

There's a handfull of those oldtimers with creaking sounds, many masts, cockroaches and bow spirits, but there are also classics such as 12meters and the Cotton Blossom.

Classics from the 30ies

If these are too big for you, - there are also quite a few smaller boats; Still classics but just not as classy as a 12 meter. Anything from the small Leetlecat to the Shields.

Smaller boats too

... and if that isn't enough there's a couple of giants too... Two wooden Js... Yes, wooden J-boats do exist. Shamrock is one RL J-class that's wooden. Of the older ones - from before 1900 - some were also wooden. Oh, and the new ones aren't all steel... This could be Craig Ktabas Vanya... Even the bronze ones were wooden as they were only tobin bronze plated. The hull itself was wooden.

Giants...

Pirate ships - guns and everything are both wooden , classics and gigantic. These boats are fantastic builds with so many accurate details it is absolutely breathtaking. Not old enough? There are two vikingships on display too. One of which I have sailed.

Should you want to relax with a boat that runs when you turn the key, this is it:

Powerboats

I've seen quite a few very classy powerboats in SL. Currently there are only two of them at the show. I hope this changes. Yes they stink and they're noisy, but the woodwork still looks amazing.

So here's to a great weekend; If you dunno what to do... pop by and check out the boatshow. Cheers!

Powerboat show

There is a powerboat show running at Tradewinds. I dropped by to catch a glimpse of all those peace-disturbers before I went shopping for TNT.

Vrooom

As if I'd do such a thing. Nah. However, I always keep old ropes and have them ready to throw out overboard. Just in case some fired up gazoline-sniffer comes too close, hehe.

Carpenters corner

Seriously, it is a nice show. There's loads of fancy looking smokers, and there's even a carpenters corner, where you can see how boats are built.

Underway

There's only one problem with the boatbuilders shed. It is way too tidy to look real, but apart from that there's a lot of really nice details.

Done

Check the two pics above here. It would seem one is the unfinished version, and the next one is what it looks like when finally done - after 7 layers of varnish and wax and what's nuts.

Miami Vice

Not into classics and oldtimers? Go modern. This looks kinda like Miami Vice. Ok, it's like what... 30 years ago, so even Miami Vice is now officially antiquated. Still, I am sure there are fans out there.

Let's tan

Me, I am not really a fan of anything that antiquated, noisy and environmentally incorrect, but this next one got my attention. Now I just need a bikini and a drink... how come these things don't have drink dispensers?

Japan is also represented

Anyway, there's enough to see if you're into this sort of thing. I'll admit that some of these boats look really nice, and it's clear that the builders put a lot of work and pride in their creations. Too bad most of the boats cannot be taken for a testride. The roaarrrs that you'd expect to hear at a show like this are kinda absent. But it's still worth a visit. Definately.

Link to earlier Power Boat Show at Tradewinds. Click the category for more power-boat-stuff.

Workboats at TYC

Virtual sailing is not just about sailboats. There's a pretty amazing work boat show at Tradewinds these days. I haven't had the time to write about it till now, but Ahab (the harbourmaster) says it'll all be gone soon, so hurry up, go see.

The poster

One of my favourites in this boat show is a very detailed fishingboat. There's so many gizmoes there, I won't mention any of them, cause then this post would never end. Looks like a trawler. I wonder what kind of fish it'll catch.

Trawler

It would seem there's not only loads of fishingboats and coastguards in SL. There are also pilots, buoy maintenance boats and tonnes of other special purpose boats. This next one is a very special hybrid, which I've never seen before - in either lives...

Trash-lounge

It's the loungy trash-boat, - or is it the trashy lounge-boat?? It's a good thing there's no virtual smell in Second Life, or I'd probaby be wearing a gasmask on this picture. There's all sorts of garbage in this one. In the back there's another sweet fishingboat.

Huge building for maintanance

Then there's this huge building for maintenance. It is not a dry-dock but at least it never rains in here. Very usefull when refitting. Note all the details with cables on the wall and stuff.

Riverboat

A little south of the building, there's a classic river boat; You know the one with that huge wheel at the back. Very nice build. It just needs a jazzband to make the picture complete. From where I stand I can see a travelift with a tug.

Travelift and tug

Talk about a heavy load. I never saw a travelift that size, but a bit of searching reveals that some travelifts can handle 150 tonnes or more. I'll admit that I didn't check who built it, but the tug looks like an Ana-thing. Can't really explain it, but Ana's builds has a certain touch...

Overview

Here's an overview of the entire thing. Lotsa stuff so see, adore or explore. Ahab even dug up some ancient builds from Balduin Aabyes Yacht Design. Just hold your breath cause many of these boats are constantly spitting out black diesel-smoke even though they are moored.

Relaxing

After all that exploring there's nothing like a little break in the sun. Ok, perhaps a beer would be nice too. A boatshow that hasn't a beer-booth is really not a true boatshow, is it? Anyway, this boat is also an Ana-thing; It's the Bandit 50, if I am not mistaken. It's a really nice and super classic cruiser in a 70-ish design.

More relaxing

Ok, maybe there are other nice ways to relax in the sun. Now, if only I could get a coffee, a cupholder and a hardcopy of that new magazine about virtual sailing...

Sailing time

The RL racing season has begun; So far it's not very hot but at least it is salty. The virtual sailing isn't exactly salty. Au contraire. I mean, you really can't tell the difference between ocean water and sweet water. Still, there is a certain amount of hard-to-describe saltyness about the virtual sailing.

Tradewinds

After a busy Easter I logged in to check the saltyness of Tradewinds. The first thing that appeared on my screen was a message from an old friend. He'd seen a dress that he thought I absolutely needed to have. I went to the store to see it. It was supersalty, so I bought it right away. It's the one I am wearing on these photos. Thanx Netrom...

Bwind X?

Back to Tradewinds. As you can see the saltyness is intact. There was also a couple of salty "things" at Tradewinds. Unexpected ones even. This here is a BWind of sorts. It looks like an update of that old BWind dinghy, the Spark. Dunno what it sails like, but the version was 2.03 or something. It would seem that Becca is still around. We just don't see her much.

The beautiful Q-2m

Here's another pretty and salty thing: The Q-2m. It's an old boat in SL terms, but rumours has it that Qyv will rebuild it in mesh. If the mesh Q-2m comes with more trimming options, - it's gonna be just about the perfect daycruiser. More on that in another post.

Ahab's boat

Ahab wasn't around this time. However, he left a boat on the west dock. It looks like a Rene-re-build that we've seen before. Not sure if it really is a new version, but the version number indicated it was in prerelease state. Perhaps it's just an old prerelease, but in any case it looks great, rather salty and very wooden. Unlike the boat to the left in the back...

A steel Bandit 50?

I dunno how you all feel about steel boats? Me, I never really understood the concept. It's cold, it's noisy, it's slippery and it's rusty no matter what steel quality they use. Besides, it reminds me of ferries. Not the kind of feeling I want to have when packing for a two week cruise. Still, I suppose it is also (somewhat) of a matter of taste? And it may be better suited for icy waters. In any case here's a Bandit 50; Steel edition. Nice work, but I must admit that to me it looks a little weird. Cheers...

PS: As a salty sidedish there's a new virtual Moth around. Here's a post about the old virtual Moth. And... here's a link to Orcas scriblings about the new virtual Moth.