I have upgraded the site to WordPress 2.0, mainly because of the much improved 'Write Post' interface, now a WYSIWYG editor called tinymce.
The upgrade has broken my theme and some of my plugins so it will take a few days before everything is working again...
Update: The theme is now somehow working again and I have installed a cool flash plugin (flashfader) that cycles banner images at the top.
There's been discussion on the IOMICA Forum about simulating radiosailing races in order to study the effects of different heat racing systems. Specifically, it has been suggested that a bigger number of boats should be promoted/relegated from each heat (currently 4, using HMS).
In order for the simulation to be realistic each in-silico skipper's performance should be varied randomly around some mean performance index. To anchor the simulation in reality, I've here taken the results from the last three international events (2003 Vancouver, 2004 Arcos, 2005 Mooloolaba) and calculated the standard deviation of each skippers score during the series.
There's a clear correlation between standard deviation and final placing indicating that the top skippers perform more consistently than others. I also find it interesting that the datasets from different events are broadly speaking identical.
Update: Along these lines, Lester Gilber has worked on an Event Simulator, with perhaps the aim of figuring out the most optimal heat management system.
Better late than never - some of my own pictures and comments from the event.
Continue reading 2005 IOM Worlds, Mooloolaba, Austalia
Had these macros of small animals on my homepage for a while during 2003, but then took them away for some reason. Here they are again:
Finally decided to make some proper rudder moulds for the Noux. This design, based on the rudder a number of Noux boats have been using for 1-2 season, was chosen. It's a simple(based on a Marblehead rudder by Bob Sterne actually) moderately deep rudder with a fairly thin section (just enough to accomodate a 4 mm rudder stock).
Below some pictures from the CNC milling of aluminium moulds.
Continue reading Rudder design for Noux IOM
