Further improvement on the physics will make virtual sailing with Sail Simulator even more realistic. The seaworthiness of boat and crew can be tested with the improved wind and wave modeling. Sheltering behind an island will be made possible.

A new scenery designer toolkit will allow importing of 3D-models in Max, SketchUp, VRML and OBJ format. On request of many users the development of a ship designer will be started up.

System:: Windows XP/2000/Vista and DX9 compatible Video card.

April 24, 2007: 3D-reinforcement !
Daniël Kuik will join the Sail Simulator design team per May 1, as a 3D-animator and designer. Have a look at his website www.3d1.nl and the total Stentec team.

April 25, 2007: Tools & Add On !
Our goal is to define a full set of design tools for the Sail Simulator community to create beautiful sceneries and ships for Sail Simulator 5. How fast it goes and what will be in our September beta-version is still unknown. Webspace on www.stentec.com will be resevered for stable multiplayer racing using a separated server (like our Motorboat Simulator).

• Sail Simulator 5 - Sailing, Racing, Navigation, Sailing Course and Training tool for WinGPS 4 Pro
• New designed Control Unit with tiller (or steering wheel) and sheet selecting and control - prohibited.
• New Scenery Designer Toolkit - Create your own sceneries using DEM files or by digitizing digital maps
• Ship Designer - Easily design selecting hull shapes and sailing plans, scaling, tuning and texturing. Max support for creating new types of hulls or sailing plan to be selected by other users.

June 6, 2007: Improved aerodynamic sail modeling
In the engine of Sail Simulator 5 a number of improvements relative to version 4 have been planned. Advanced aerodynamic modeling that will strongly improve physical realism.

• A sail will be defined in height into say 4 to 5 aerodynamical surfaces with its own curvature
• Telltales on each surface
• Wind shear will be added to the wind model
• Twist of the main sail (and other sails), to be controlled by main sheet and vang
• Flexible mast for local curvature control
• For some boats the top and bottom position of the mast can be trimmed to optimize performance.
• Like in version 4 the outhaul is used to control the overall curvature of the main sail

• With the addition of hydrofoil terms (for rudder, keel etc) in our new DX9-simulation engine the first test boat is expected to float free again next week. Also the modelling of the sails with twist, curvature and flapping will soon be ready.
• The wave field is already functioning and in view. As soon as the boat is sailing again we can test the non-linear terms that are so important for seaworthiness.
• No suitable manufacturer have been yet found for the production of the SS5 control unit. Production will likely shift to 2008. Wheel mouse control will be optimized to have full control of the selected boat and view direction.
• The first 3D-modelling of (test) boats has started. First screen shots are expected soon.
• Still as an internal tool our ship designer is more and more complete, and now includes a real floating boat, that will make balancing and testing stability easy.
• For the prediction of wind in our WinGPS 4 Pro navigation program, we started the implementation of (NOAA) GRIB files. Applications for our SS5 are numerous. Realistic wind, wave and weather can be generated for worldwide locations. Ideal for offshore multiplayer races.

October 12, 2007: New Sail Simulator 5 screenshot page!
With the release of version 5.0.0.1 we started a Sail Simulator 5 screenshot page where the development of SS5 can be followed. Visit it regularly.

October 26, 2007: First time sailing milestone !
For test version 5.0.0.2 the mainsail aerodynamics were implemented using 5 surfaces to be controlled by twist and curvature. Although no crew is present yet this allows virtual sailing in Sail Simulator 5 for the first time.

December 21, 2007: Testing mainsail and wave field!
For test version 5.0.0.4 the mainsail aerodynamics were optimized and controlled by twist and curvature. The pressure on the hull now contains the wave field acceleration terms that are responsible for the seaworthiness.

Have a look at the latest screenshots also including the beautiful wooden Valk (6.5m Dutch National class).