Virtual Skipper

David_Number1 · Matelot Joined: 12 Jun 2007 Posts: 89

No

In team racing I think the draw card is the tactical sailing aspect, so the rc44 is really good in that it's so easy to sail everyone is pretty well as fast as everyone else.
Match racing there is more emphasis on boat handling and getting the last 1% out of the boat, so the ACC is a good for that because it is much harder to sail really fast.

admiral · Amiral Joined: 27 Oct 2003 Posts: 304 Location: Nederland

As far as I remember the RC44 as model was chosen because it was expected to raise enough interest. There was a lot of communication with the RC44 class organization. Boat parameters practically had to be invented, like a retractable bowsprit, big rudder, centralised mass (read manouvrabillity) etc. Then the models behavior was fitted to the RC44's real behavior (minus a lot that just could no be made to work, like backing jibs). Then compromising behavior elsewhere to compensate for stuff that could not be made to work, (like backing jib)

The ACC for example then had some automated "backing jib" function that made the boat automatically bear down from head to wind as soon as the boat speed dropped below 1 knot. (not quite desirable in team racing when stopping the boat near a mark) The RC44 was made to slow down considerably when luffing head to wind and deccelerate backwards, and given considerable acceleration to compensate. It was made to broach wildly when sailing to high with the kite up in stronger winds (where normally you'ld break the boat). Then passing lanes were widened, keeping VMG level at a broader range of courses, even across sails. Aka. code 0 at 10 Kts will still sail with better VMG at lower angle then genoa at higher angle.

Then everything was screened for playability and game play, broaching was stripped completely and downwind speed of 20 kts of wind and more was increased considerably. Perfect for teamraces in winds of 5 kts to 20 kts. and real fun for the speed and surf junkies at force 7 winds

For compatibility reasons testing was so extensive that no updates would be needed, there will be updates only with a new VSK version.

In the end the RC44 is an immense popular community build boat model,
even if everyone including me finds something to dislike about it.

M-1 · Capitaine Joined: 30 Oct 2005 Posts: 259 Location: Russia

admiral · Amiral Joined: 27 Oct 2003 Posts: 304 Location: Nederland

Jean-Luc · Matelot Joined: 18 Nov 2006 Posts: 114

Thank all for your messages. I have understood that the RC44 was defined to approach what the models used in the real races are.

As I never sailed in real Team Races, I had no prerequisites on the boat qualities needed. I like the ACC in TR because :

1/ the tactical options have to be taken with care due to the inerty of this heavy boat. When I watched some RC44 races, I saw the boats changing their course many times with not allways serious consequences
.
2/ I also think there are more faults (pens) in RC44 due to her manoeuvrability used even in the hot spots (2 length zone's marks). Umpiring such fast events would be difficult.

3/ In brief, a RC44 race equals an ACC race but with a far greater intensity which could make me mad. So I preserve my health in using the ACC Tr?s content

, just a question of taste.

Cheers,

jiel
_________________
Jean-Luc

JHL · mousse Joined: 06 Jun 2009 Posts: 43

Alx · mousse Joined: 14 May 2010 Posts: 11

David_Number1 · Matelot Joined: 12 Jun 2007 Posts: 89

It is fun though Tr?s content

And it does add another skill to sailing them...

I don't mind it

Alx · mousse Joined: 14 May 2010 Posts: 11

Sure is fun, I find myself sailing more nowadays the RC than Acc...

Ofcourse you have to comprise with the level of madness sometimes on the public RC races, which however adds up to satisfaction