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Putting the “Whee” in Sailing Simulators
Ah, yes — the boat is cruising along at six knots, it’s 67°F, there’s no wind and it’s February. What? That doesn’t compute. Well, yes it did at the Vancouver, B.C. boat show where Patrick Brehm, Waypoint Sailing Academy of Vancouver, had the prototype of his sailing simulator hooked up, inviting sailors and non-sailors to take the helm of a 32-foot daysailer. Patrick has been working on “The Land Helm” as a learn to sail aid but was overwhelmed by the response at the boat show. “The goal of the exhibit was to demonstrate to people who have never sailed, or had any experience at the helm, that having control of the helm of a cruising yacht was certainly not difficult, and that the opportunity to learn to sail, obtain their bareboat certification and experience the dream of a lifetime is within reach at any age.” What started out as a teaching aid became a magnet for sailors and non-sailors alike. It was fun to watch as kids to grandpas took the helm. The biggest surprise for non-sailors was how close you could actually sail to the wind. “In two or three minutes practically every person without any previous knowledge of sailing could maintain a close-hauled course and perform successful tacks.” grins Brehm. It was truly amazing to see how quickly the kids caught on to holding a course. Some “old salts” like myself had a bit more trouble but blamed it on the lack of tactile imput; wind on the face, heel of the boat, etc. I offered to stand with a spray bottle to where windward would be and squirt the helmsperson but nobody took me up on it. Is this sailing’s version of Nintendo’s Wii®. (There actually is a very basic sailing game on the Wii® but it doesn’t come with a three-foot wheel.) With all the interactive technology around it was bound to happen, but just like being a Pro golfer on the Wii® doesn’t make you a pro on the links (trust me). Mastering a sailing simulator doesn’t make you a sailor but it’s a fun first step. Brehm has lots of plans for enhancing the experience on the simulator, none of which include a spray bottle, but it all comes back to learning to sail a real boat. “It’s a great tool to acquaint people with sailing, so when they get onto the sailboat they’ll have an idea of what closehauled is and how to steer to it. Of course, nothing beats on the water time on the helm, but with this instructors should be able to shorten the gap between the classroom and the real thing.” Will this be the ultimate armchair sailor of the future? Plug in your Caribbean program and sail to Saint Somewhere in your living room? Could be, but for now it’s a glimpse into the future of sail instruction. It was fun for all the folks at the show and we appreciate how it drew people to the sailing area. |
 The Land Helm attracted hundreds of sailors and non-sailors at the Vancouver Boat Show. 
Your editor casually sailing downwind. Points of sail are below monitor for teaching reference.
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