Late evening hydrobike ride

There's so many fun things to do, and so many of them happen to be at Tradewinds Yacht Club. This time it is time for a ride on a virtual water bike, a so-called Hydrobike...

The free hydrobike dispenser at Tradewinds

I've tried waterbikes a few times in RL. This one is a little different, because you don't sit as if in a gocart. It is more like a real bike.

Ready, set...

Shorts, bikinitop, click sign to get a bike and hop on. Note the side-by-side tandem beside me. Perfect for a romantic ride with a picnic basket. There is an island just a few minutes from here...

GO!

I am off into the sunset. It is rather swift. Easy to ride, and very easy to steer, and should you get tired, there is even a Heineken in the basket. A big one.

How about a Tour de Tradewinds??

Lots of tiny details. Underwater details too. Propeller, rudder and what not. Very nicely made, and the sound reminds me so much of my summerdays on Lac d'Annecy. As a kid I waterbiked my butt off on that lake.

See? Big Heineken!

What a fun little thing this is, - and totally free. Do you know where to try it? Yup, - right... Tradewinds Yacht Club, where the fun begins... Ciao.

Size matters

Yesterday I was out sailing, minding my own business with a brand new and exciting update of the Bolero; More on that later. All was good until I received a call from Zim, my motorhead friend. He was heading up to Tradewinds YC in a huge tanker, and he wanted me to see it. So I did, and here it is...

Zimzalabim and his tanker heading north...

Zim heading north, just out of the Blake Sea. The ship is heading N, so the Blake is SSE on the photo. It is a big ship. It actually looks taller than Spyglass, the island on the right side of the photo. And the space... The bridge is decorated like a living room. Office desk, charts all over the walls, millions of don't touch knobs and gizmos, kitchen, a big and comfy couch and what not.

Captain on the bridge; Note the balloon in the back; We're up...

Down below there are cabins decorated like luxury cruise cabins with huge beds, office desks, internet, art on the walls and a fabulous view over the ocean. Couldn't really take the time to photograph it. The waters are pretty shallow, and Zim didn't know he local waters very well. That's why my arm says go to port here.

Look, a DC3!

Here we are again... crossing the raceline south of Tradewinds. And what's that above us? Looks like a genuine DC3. He didn't radio us, but later I discovered, I actually know the pilot. I sent him the picture. Now, Tradewinds YC is just around the corner, and look who's there...

Liv's looking pretty worried here...

It's "Little Liv", the commodore of TYC. Can u see the little dot with red hair? She looks kinda worried. Ok, we didn't hit the lighthouse, but we did run aground right off the lighthouse. Sat there for a while, while Zim tried to get us free. He finally succeeded, so anchor out. Ofcourse we invited Liv to have a look. She was still kinda shaky going "you guys remember to move this before u leave" again and again, hihi.

I can understand why. It is a huge ship. Lotsa noise, lotsa excaust, lotsa cpu power - to get a bit technical. It is probably the biggest functioning ship I've ever seen in SL. Had it been at the Working Boat Show, there would have been little space left for all the other boats. But you know what they say... The difference between boys and men? It's the price of their toys. Still with me guys? Did I leave u hanging long enough? Ok, so size does matter, but it isn't everything. It seems this boat was a bit too big for Tradewinds. When u've tried upsizing and done downsizing, eventually you will reach the level of rightsizing. Let's leave it there; I just wonder what Zim will bring next to top this.

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.

Buff Staysails TV-show

The AC circus is moving faster than any other sailing event I've ever heard of. Some people like it; Some people don't. In the latter category we find Vincenzo. Me, I still dunno what to think.

The new Sailrocket? E.T.'s dad? No, it's the AC45...

The editors at Scuttlebutt aren't quite sure what to think either. In a post called "Just what America's Cup needs", they talk about sugar over substance. I think "All candy diet" would have been a better title, but nevermind. While we're all hoping for the better, another blogger takes us to a sneak preview of the upcoming AC circus in a post called "Buff Staysail's ACWS TV show". It's soooo funny.

Oh, and if you look up the Sailrocket and start thinking: Yeah, life begins at 40 knots, then think again. It could be that life starts in a foiling monohull at 30 knots.

Potato, potahto

SL sailing is nice and easy; Lean back with your favourite coffee cup, grab the mouse and click a little to sail. Hit F1 to shout "Protest". F2 to hoist the spinnaker. F3 to gybe it. No sore arms from pulling sheets and halyards. Couch potatoes will love sailing a modern fourty-footer like this, and that's why I call it couch potato sailing. Not to be mean; Only to be fair :-)

This is SL; I can still answer the phone.

Real sailing is nice and easy too; Heel over, grab your favourite brand of beer, and if your boat is properly balanced, you will only need to adjust the tiller occasionally to sail. That might not be entirely true for a Moth, but many other real boats feature couch potato sailing; So there... Potato, potah-to. However, it can be the excact opposite too; Gybing 90m2 of spinakker in 12m/s wind can be both tough and wet.

This is RL. The cellphone is no good here.

Often the spinpole is flying over your head, so pushing the pole forward and in place takes both muscle and  training. Me, I am often on my toes to reach the spinpole, so when a wave hits, I am flying too. Anyway, I am out sailing. Please leave a message after the tone, and have a grreat weekend.

Power Elixir

Speaking of powerboats, - this summer I actually tried one. I was out sailing with friends, visiting a small island; Just a short sail from Tradewinds, and this dude appeared out of nowhere motoring about. He had such a funny name, Zimzalabim. I simply had to go and say hi.

Riding with Zimzalabim

Never really liked powerboats. I guess it has to do with too much city life. The noise and the smell of machines, cars, trucks and trains. Besides, the concept of relying on an engine just isn't my cup of tea. However, "Zim" persuaded med to go for a ride in his gorgeous Elixir, built by Eta Carver.

Full speed ahead, Tradewinds in the rear mirror

Eta Carver is well known for many fun projects such as paragliding and RC-sailing. Like most of her projects, this one is not only what it appears to be. There's more. This boat comes with wakeboarding. I am gonna try that sometime and post about it. Never tried it RL, but I suppose its kinda like snowboarding.

Off the coast of Schiffsratten YC,

So what else can you do with a powerboat like this? Well, it will take you around the beautifull islands of the southern seas in the blink of an eye. So it's good for exploring sailable areas. I suppose it's good for picking up girls as well, so here's me cruising on the backseat.

Cruising... looking for the minibar.

I was kinda expecting to find a minibar, but it wasn't there. I guess drinking and driving at these speeds really isn't a good cocktail anyways. Luckily I had a virtual coke in my backpack. Anyways, "Zim" sailed around, while I enjoyed the view and almost felt the virtual wind in my hair.

Back home at Tradewinds YC.

Thanx for the ride. For a powerboat this one is really nice. Classy looking, and with a lot of lovely details. Room for at least four people plus the driver, wakeboarding, sunbathing and.. well, bring your own drinks.

Powerboat show at Tradewinds

Tradewinds Yacht Club is at it again. In between the racing, the building and the partying, there is allways time for a boat show. This time they've scraped together a rather impressive amount of powerboats.

Two of a different kind...

Now, I am not much into powerboats, but it is amazing to just walk around and see all these boats. Some are more polished than others, and some are even little pieces of art. Above you see two very different boats. Here I was, thinking SL was more peacefull, and then a torpedo boat pops up.

But Officer, the light was yellow...

Here's a couple of the speedy ones. Not sure they can outrun the Torpedo boat, but they surely can't outrun a torpedo. They are fancy though. Boys with toys. Why is it always a blonde on the side? This next blue one looks fast too.

Runs good on nuclear power?

It's 160 miles to Chicago, We have a full tank of gas, half a pack of cigarettes, it's dark, and were wearing sunglasses....Hit it! I always wanted to say that :-D

The big picture.

If you like powerboats, this is definately the place to go. The show runs at least a week more, so there is still time. Dunno how they manage to find all these items for shows, but it's great fun to see all the creativity in SL on display. Tradewinds Yacht Club truely never sleeps.

More on boatshows... and much more info plus details of each boat on Tradewinds Yacht Clubs site. Link right here to the right.