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Show HN: Sail a historical full-rigged ship in real global weather

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Re: Show HN: Sail a historical full-rigged ship in real global weather

#21

Post by martyvis »

kunwon1 wrote: post #11
worldsayshi wrote: post #10

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You might be interested in sailing on such a ship irl then: https://www.gotheborg.se/

My main interest is in doing it solo, I don't think I'd enjoy it nearly as much with other people around. While this does look interesting, it doesn't appeal to me in the same way

Don't know much about Illinois, but there are lakes up there I've heard, surely there are sailing clubs, etc for the summer. I have a small (14 foot) two-hull dinghy thing I bought maybe 38 years ago that I need to get out again on one of the lakes or bays here south of Sydney , Australia.

Re: Show HN: Sail a historical full-rigged ship in real global weather

#22

Post by gerdesj »

DennisP wrote: post #20
roflyear wrote: post #15

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Lake sailing is out of the question? You can probably get a small dinghy or hobie cat for free (you'll need to do work on it). Or join a yacht club on a lake and make friends :)

Yep, I grew up sailing, and learning on a tiny boat is pretty much ideal. It responds quickly, and that helps you get a good feel for things. Then gradually work your way up. And those big Illinois lakes probably have yacht clubs with regattas, which is where you really learn to sail well. And it's great fun; there's a lot of strategy involved in racing, I'd feel like I was captain of the Enterprise fighting the Klin…

When you get the hang of what the wind is up to despite your boat's forward velocity based on what it feels like and the look of the waves and breakers etc.

Just like an aircraft, you need to consider three axes of rotation - nominally: roll, pitch and yaw and three vectors for direction of travel. Then you need to worry about propulsion. An aircraft provides its own farts. A sailing boat flies or is pushed or a combination of those.

A Bermuda rig - two triangles one in front and one behind the mast, basically "flies". The front sail - the "jib" provides some lift and also steadies the airflow over the main sail.

A square rig - think Santa Maria, HMS Victory, Vasa etc generally rely on being pushed. They will probably also have staysails with very complicated names and the like that work in the same way as jibs. Also gaff rigs, Arab dhows, Junk rigs and more ways of using the wind.

In the end the helm needs to feel the wind and work out what to do with it - that's why the ship's wheel on sailing vessels is not enclosed (that would be insane).

Re: Show HN: Sail a historical full-rigged ship in real global weather

#23

Post by gavmor »

kunwon1 wrote: post #3

I've always been interested in sailing. I'm from Illinois. I once went to Jamaica and sailed a small catamaran for several hours on a protected bay and had great fun. For years afterwards I was reading sailing textbooks and dreaming about it, but given my location, I don't want to put money into it I've played some sailing games and had fun, but they weren't simulations. I've never tried a sailing simulator. This one…

In two clicks I had it running with Wine. Not a problem.

Re: Show HN: Sail a historical full-rigged ship in real global weather

#25

Post by telesilla »

webnrrd2k wrote: post #4

This is really cool! I'm a few books into the Aubry/Maturin novels by Patrick O'Brien (highly recommended! The movie Master & Commander is based on them). This should help to get a better feel for the ships and the battles!

>Master & Commander

I had no idea I would enjoy this film as much as I did. Highly recommend to all explorer and adventurous types.

Re: Show HN: Sail a historical full-rigged ship in real global weather

#26

Post by thinkingkong »

Having been an actual professional tallship sailor in another life, I can somewhat guarantee the lack of buckling knees, seasickness, need to go aloft (climb the mast), and sleep in cramped quarters will make the virtual experience slightly more approachable.

These effects only last for about 48 hours. Pure joy after that.

Re: Show HN: Sail a historical full-rigged ship in real global weather

#28

Post by Naga »

webnrrd2k wrote: post #4

This is really cool! I'm a few books into the Aubry/Maturin novels by Patrick O'Brien (highly recommended! The movie Master & Commander is based on them). This should help to get a better feel for the ships and the battles!

Yes! I've read and reread them many, many times. There's nothing more comforting to me than picking up one of those books. I've never actually finished the series, I don't think I'll ever be read for the ending.

Re: Show HN: Sail a historical full-rigged ship in real global weather

#29

Post by throwaway6734 »

kunwon1 wrote: post #11
worldsayshi wrote: post #10

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You might be interested in sailing on such a ship irl then: https://www.gotheborg.se/

My main interest is in doing it solo, I don't think I'd enjoy it nearly as much with other people around. While this does look interesting, it doesn't appeal to me in the same way

check out laser sailing
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