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¶ Introduction
Due to much prodding from Axelle, it's finally time for Tall Tail's 3rd Regatta!
The route this time will take us far south to the Jeogeot Gulf to get some close looks at some navy ships, through some topical islands, and then board a gigantic cruise liner to explore or cause chaos on!
If you have never sailed at all before, don't worry since it is very easy and similar to any other kind of mainland travel. Also, if you don't own a boat or ship, don't fret! Other captains should have some empty seats available on their boats, and if you wish to captain a vessel yourself, there are some links that will provide some free boats and purchase recommendations further down this page.
This trip should take about an hour going at a comfortable speed and stopping to see some of the sights along the way. IT isn't a race! And you're on the open water, you can leave the path and come back to it easily! No road! Take it nice and easy and feel free to stray alittle if something catches your eye. There will be plenty of time to cause chaos on the cruise liner afterwards, she isn't going anywhere!
As a note, there are a few locations where the course splits and reconnects. Motorboats can enjoy little scenic rivers if they stick to the right during these splits. Sailboats would be too tall to go under these bridges.. ((*cough* but most sailboat sails are phantom so you can probably go under them anyway if you want and no one's looking *cough cough*))
¶ When Is It Happening?
Date: April 2nd 2022
Time: Noon SLT
The event is scheduled for Saturday, April 2nd at Noon SLT. Tall Tails prime time so most people can have a chance to enjoy the cruise and the explore the destination!
I'll kindly ask captains to be familiar with their vessel before hand and to come over to the starting port a bit earlier so we can get to rezzing and distributing boats into a few regions to get the lag as low as possible.
¶ Route
¶ Start -
Rez Zone 1: The Green Hexagon
Rez Zone 2: The Yellow Hexagon
Starting near the Lordshore Dock for rez zone 1, or Port Kyat Lun for rez zone 2. In sight is the Route 9 Long Bridge that many caravans have crossed. We start to head up North from here into the Jeogeot Gulf. Once you have rezzed, please move to the nearby adjacent sims of Hiersch, Kenfield, or Orgamast which are marked in Red so others can use the docks without getting their feet wet.
The Hexagons are the rez docks and the Squares are the Waiting Sims. Green is #1 and Yellow is #2.
Red Squares are the waiting zones.
Most of Jeogeot Gulf allows for rezzing. Because of that, many navy vessels like to have combat with each other here. If there is some fight going on, just steer clear of them. Also, there are some unmanned navy vessels bots that serve as target practice for these ships. Be sure to stay out of their path as well, but your boat can probably push them easily if you do run into them since they are lightweight.
¶ 2 - First Sight: USS Reprisal
Location: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Woodbine/114/114/36
This Aircraft Carrier serves as a public runway for combat enabled aircraft. It has some elevators that allow the aircraft to move from below deck to the top deck, though it moves on a timer. So airplanes gotta be careful when landing that the elevator doesn't decide to lower as you're approaching!
¶ 3 - USS Gerald R Ford
Location: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Haebyon/114/102/40
This Aircraft Carrier is privately owned but open for the public. It has a much more impressive interior compared to the previous aircraft carrier! This would be a great spot for some Navy or Pilot RP! She has elevators on her starbord side of the ship to allow craft to move up and down too, done by clicking them to interact.
¶ 4 - Linden Homes: Island Continent
Location: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Zippity/120/130/22
This isn't so much one location, more just a chain of islands that make a nice view. For SL Premium members, they can choose from some types of homes to own that their membership covers. These small house-boat homes are one type! I enjoy this area because the Lindens keep everything sort of uniform looking.. kinda like a Second-Life Homeowner's Association. There are nice beaches and lighthouses in this area, and nothing looks cluttered or tacky like some mainland homes/ parcels.
! Warning! While in these islands, I recommend a view distance of 120 or lower and maintaining a medium-slow speed! The area has some docks that jut out and can surprise you. Floating Buoys mark sim corners too.
¶ 5 - Linden Homes: Coast Continent
Location: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Lower%20Barensmouth/46/147/22
Similar to the Island continent except now we can enjoy looking at some nice long beaches and waterfront.
This part of the route has two optional split that motorboats can enjoy! Motorboats would keep RIGHT and follow the little stream inland for a cute little scenic view. Big boats and most sailboats should keep LEFT and stay on coarse.
This image has what will show on your overworld map and mini map on the left side. The right side shows the split paths in green off of the main course.
¶ End - SS Galaxy
Location: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Galaxy%20AFT/61/35/21
See below
¶ Destination: SS Galaxy!
Our destination has fun thingies to --cause chaos with-- play and explore! Have a look! Most things are on the top deck but some landmarks to quickly move about the ship can be found here. This is more a historical site now, Linden Labs calls it a Museum even on the website, but there are some fun things to look at on the ship. As a warning, the elevators sometimes work and sometimes don't so you might have to look for some stairs or use the landmarks listed below!
¶ Sights
- Ship Map
- Have a look around the place. As a note, some escalators don't work well.
- Bridge
- The classic control room of the entire ship. There is an old map of the Blake Sea here where you can see many changes, and the previous location of the ship!
- Gardens
- Old Garden area with a spot for weddings aswell. Several years ago, you could actually reserve to have your wedding here officially and all. That service is closed now however.
- Coral Lagoon and Waterslide
- A retro little pool area that has a slide to go down, some places to float too. There is a dance floor here too for when the area scheduled parties.
- Website
- This is more historical, but the ship had essentially a wiki to see all events and such that were going on when it was more active
¶ Play
- MonoWheel
- Found on the starboard side near the Coral Lagoon, Click the sign to rez a wheel. Fun and fast way to zip around the top deck. Has two gears, press C while moving to jump!
- Hang Gliders
- On the bow of the ship to fly all around! Press E to go up and C to go down!
- Swan Love Boats
- Some little toy boats that a single person or a pair could use to zip around the ship.
- Coral Lagoon Waterslide
- A little waterslide to enjoy some splashes into the pool. Click the floating ring to poof up to the starting point!
- Mini Golf
- You know what Golf is. One person sits at a time, allow the object to attach to your avatar. Sitter uses A and D or Left and Right arrow keys to aim. Then click and hold your left mouse button to charge up your shot, there should be hovertext above the putter to show you the charge amount. Release when you think it's enough power. After the shot, WAIT for the course to move your avatar around. After hitting the ball into the hole, WAIT for it to unsit you to get your score in general chat.
- I'm thinking to make this a mini event at TT or something in the future.. lemme know how you like it!
¶ Navigation
Wind settings for sailboats can be whatever you like honestly, but if you are looking for a recommendation, I would suggest starting with the wind from the South (180 degrees) and then after passing Lighthouse before the Curise liner switch the wind to coming from the East (90 degrees) for the remainder of the regatta.
Windspeed would be something comfortable to have your sailboat moving at about 10 knots.
¶ Sailing Course HUDs
To help with navigating, I will be providing the usual HUD that is given out for the Pony Caravans some of you might be familiar with, that is the Cruissette.
However another similar HUD did go through an update of its free version and now uses RLV to automatically change the map beacon. It's an option some like.
Here is the link to the free Ultimate Sailor Buddy Basic 1.4.
Simply drop the ‘Regatta USB-Notecard’ into your USB HUD contents, then click on ‘Load’ and select the Regatta. Thats it, your USB is ready to start now!
The Cruissette HUD and the USB-Notecard both will be passed out by event organizers on the day the Regatta is held.
¶ Sailing Tips
- Always have minimap open and zoomed out so you can see well around you. Unlike traveling on the road, other sailors can come from anywhere around you and you can spot them much faster using the minimap.
- Turn your view distance up to see farther. We recommend sailing using view distance of 200, but 100 and 150 work just as well. Ocean sims tend to be more empty than mainland sims, so a larger view distance on the ocean shouldn't strain your computer too badly.
- Avoid simcrossing at corners as much as possible. Since you can sail your boat wherever you like on the water, this can make turning or adjusting your course through a sim corner easier than traveling on the road.
- Be aware of other boats and avatars. Everyone out here is kinda doing their own thing, their own way. Some people like to moor where ever and relax. Some people are racing or having their own regatta. Some people/bots are afk underwater for who knows what reason. The golden rule however is; if you see another moving ship, give plenty of space to pass. If you see a parked ship, stay just outside of general chat range unless you know the occupants.
- Plan ahead, especially if your ship is larger than a simple sailing yacht. Not only do big boats take time to speed up and slow down, but some turns can be very challenging in larger ships.
You may need to start turning much earlier than in a small boat. Also remember that some larger sailships turn slower with all sails raised - reduce sail/use your engine (if your ship has one) if a particularly challenging turn comes up.
¶ Life Jacket!
Being a water event, health and safety requires that we have to at least inform you that lifejackets exist. Wearing one is up to you however!
Some can be found on the marketplace, but we would encourage making sure you are getting a functional one if you pick one up. Though, if you feel like you're a confident swimmer, you could simply use a swimming HUD instead! (These can help prevent you from sinking like a rock if you fall off the boat)
A free lifejacket can be purchased here.
A free swimming HUD will be available on the day from the organizers.
¶ Boats!
So, you need a boat huh? Well SecondLife has a lot of options! Take a look below for some ideas!
¶ Freebies
Boats can be expensive! Luckily we have a selection of free boats avaliable for those taking to the sea for the first time!
¶ Hornless Vikings Workshop
Link: https://marketplace.secondlife.com/stores/81180
The Emergency Response Boat is an excellent little free craft.
¶ Michie Marine
Link: https://marketplace.secondlife.com/stores/22448
Much more variety of boats, but with varying quality. The Hydrospeeder K-10 is excellent for undersea exploring if you are so inclined.
¶ AleyMart
Link: https://marketplace.secondlife.com/stores/161413
The stuff is old but still works well... give them a look sometime! Perhaps you would like to follow the group using the power of your arms alone? If so the Working Rowboat is for you!
¶ Big Brands
If you are willing to spend some Lindens, SecondLife has some very complex but amazing sailing boats. Take a look at these, perhaps something will catch your eye!
¶ Bandit / The Mesh Shop (TMS)
Link: https://marketplace.secondlife.com/stores/120514
In-World: Dutch Harbor
Bandit/TMS are the standard for quality boats in SecondLife. They provide an excellent sailing/boating experience. Plenty of relaxing and cuddle positions on the boats. Some can be found online but even more are in-world only. You can demo any ship they have at the inworld store too.
¶ BBX
Link: https://marketplace.secondlife.com/stores/63972
In-World: Sunny Bay
BBX do some amazing modern and sleek ship designs. With a mixture of sail and mototboats they have many many options. The price is high, but you certainly get what you pay for.
¶ Ultramesh
Link: https://marketplace.secondlife.com/stores/168151
In-World: Newport Bay
This brand doesn't have too many boats, but their vehicles are excellent. Less cuddle animations than TMS but the vehicles cross sims smoothly and can be heavily modified. Demos are avaliable in-world too.
¶ N+K Shipyard
Link: https://marketplace.secondlife.com/stores/178635
In-World: N+K Shipyards
Maybe not something to have use this regatta.. but brand we still wished to show. Alexis LOVES their ships but they are not beginner vessels or for people who just want to cuddle on a boat. They are the only square-rigged sailboat/ship brand in SL and create some of the biggest ships aswell. These ships demand that you practice with them to sail them correctly.
¶ Credits
-Magic Lacroix (u69.magic) and Molly Lacroix (magentamolly): Magic assisted with setting up the cruisette since I hadn't done that before! Molly green-lit my little event and helped schedule, probably more too!