Builder's Greeting.
First of all, thank you for considering the Ktaba J-Class "Vanya". As a sailor in rl myself, I know how important it is that a yacht not only perform well all the things that yachts are supposed to do, but also, and perhaps even more importantly, sailors want to feel good, and look good when they're sailing. I believe sailing is good for the soul - if there's anything better in this life, I haven't found it. I designed Vanya with this in mind - I chose the J-Class because I believe that perhaps no boat inspires the soul of a sailor more than the J-Class, and when sailors think "classic racing yacht", usually the image they have in their mind is that of the J-Class. Vanya was built to be sailed, so... SAIL! Enjoy life! Have fun! And be happy!
Vanya sulie,
Craig
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A Little Background on the J-Class Yachts.
The Vanya is a reproduction of the most renowned of all America's Cup racing yachts, and many sailors believe the J-Class represents the height of the "Golden Age" of America's Cup yacht racing, since their sleek, graceful lines are not just for good looks, but are the evidence and credentials of their racing design. She carries a skipper and five crew members, and features a low-lag, low-prim design that includes:
* high-detail, low-LI mesh construction
* high-performance, low-lag sailing engine (< 400K memory!)
* easy-to-customize mesh design
* WWC or Bwind
* crew controls
* luffing sails
* lavishly-fitted with authentic hardware
* windvane
* custom textures
* custom animations
* various innovations and desirables (sonar/ compass hud, bow wave, realistic spinnaker controls, new algorithms "under the hood")
Feature-for-feature, the Ktaba Vanya distinguishes herself among finest racing yachts in SL.
- mesh construction
- low script load
- custom animations
Amazing boat, captures the "feel" of sailing...someone who understands physics!
One of the aspects of sailing often lost in SL is the "feel" of the water against the boat's control surfaces. Craig has really captured the physics of inertia, wave interaction, and time in moving a large body through air/water. Adjusting the sheets, turning the boat, all require time and attention it doesn't "just happen". While this might require some getting used to after piloting most boats in SL it really is nice, it makes the whole experience more authentic and immersive.
Cut the Hype - No Bull
Here’s what you need to know if you intend to purchase this boat:
Size: The Vanya is LONG. One of the longest sailboats available in SL. It will turn heads.
Steering: This is not a speedboat. It will not turn on a pivot point. It makes sweeping turns, so plan ahead. The boat mimics it’s rl counterpart. The boat oversteers. To compensate for this in SL, release the directional key ½ way through your intended turn. A very small correction of a few degrees will then be needed if you want to be dead on. As for the turning radius, loosen the sails while turning and the boat will make a very sharp turn.
Wind: Wind is the key element in sailing. The Vanya currently comes with BWind and WWC. For the weekender BWind makes it super easy to change wind direction and speed with a few key strokes. WWC is race mode and picks up a wind signals from the SL windsetters.
Textures: The boat comes wonderfully detailed and 7 areas of the boat can be textured/colored.
Additionally, you can purchase for $L 399, Joys J-class textured hud. This makes it super easy to texture the boat, and comes with a number of preset texture schemes. You can make your own if you feel so inclined. You can review Joy’s hud here:
http://ja-sl-ktaba.appspot.com/JClassHelp
Sailing HUDs and Aids: This boat really shines in this area. Some people are visually oriented, others prefer text readouts. I’m a visual person and prefer visual cues. Craig has done an outstanding job in this area. I only wish I could purchase the compass hud and use it on all my other sailboats. The boat also comes with a sonar hud. Yes, you need it.
What’s the verdict?
If you are a weekender and only want to look good and spend a little, get Cybersculpts Mesh Sailing fat pack. The price is way less and the large size is slightly longer than the J-class, although narrower. If you are a dedicated sailor or on your way to being one, then:
5-thumbs up . . . a MUST HAVE for every true sailor or wannabe.
wonderful work
a large and beautiful sailing boat J-Class behaves like the RL with his superb imposing canopy and it goes very fast wouaaaa
Get it - definitly
First being sceptical at price - but worth - go for it.
That boat is a bitch(that positive) to sail and it actually "feels" like you have the wind in the sheets and the more the heavier it gets to steer.
Visual - stunning - with the customizer, you can get separately, nice to tweak the looks a bit
The feel of the size and according steering is awesome yet it behaves handsome on simcrossing 95% of the time.
Why just 4 stars? - Actually it would be 4.5 as there is a few little things I would have liked to seen being used from other boats - we all know the good ones there:
- separation of sails (main / gen/jib) in control (raise, lowering and setting the trim)
- reefing
- some other minor stuff
Had a few nice talks with Craig about it and we'll see what gets in and what not.
His support so far is excptional and friendly - a very good thumbs up for that.
5 Stars ahead if the nifty features get in
wow it´s a dream
This amasing yacht is a real elegant beauty. All, and I mean realy all, is 1a rated. From look from feel, it gives you the perfect feeling to own a racing yacht most of us never are abel to own in real world. Sailing it is so near to sailing in RL. It is very fast and you need space for turning. With Hud incl. sonar and the premium sailengine inside, you cannot make anything wrong. It is worth every Linden and the creator is very friendly, helps you in all questions. Well done, thank you.
Completely Amazing!
"Stands shoulder to shoulder with the finest sailing craft in SL." Indeed. And in this sailor's opinion surpasses them. The work that must have gone into this boat I can't even imagine. It's beautiful and sails like the "real deal." No, I've never been at the helm of a J-Class, but I've done my fair share of RL sailing in many different boats over the last 60 years. And I own more than one sailboat from all the top builders in SL. The helm on this thing is just a joy to an old salt and the first time I put the spinnaker up that tall "redwood" of a mast....big big smiles. Even my German perfectionist passenger was awed. Wonderful job Craig. Wonderful.
