Tangential, but does anyone know of a video game that really gets sailing right? The best I knew of was Valheim, but it is not really great at all, I don’t think tacking works… at all?
There is a very fun, and somewhat realistic global sailing navigation program.
Look up sailnavsim.
It is a sailing simulator not visual. (Except for maps.)
You can join races, start a random race, and/or create your own races. By yourself, or against others.For example during COVID, we organized a open race from England to South Africa. The race runs in real time, so for open ocean races, depending on where you are going, it can take weeks. You leave your boat at a certain heading, then can leaner three computer - for an hour, a week, or whatever. But the wind can change. Using a wind map( link provided) you adjust your headings. Then check your SOG( speed over ground). If you're not careful, you might actuality go backwards. Also avoid Islands in the middle of the ocean( zoom in on the map.)
So, in terms of navigation is quite realistic.
Sailaway and eSail on Steam are OK if it’s winter and the lakes are frozen but as a sailor I just couldn’t get into it, plenty accurate but I’d rather just go sailing.
Sailaway III is a very realistic sailing simulator, with real airflow and sail and rigging controls, and real-time weather.
Ultima IV, Quest of the Avatar. Okay maybe not entirely, but it's more accurate than your average game's concept of 'sailing in the same direction as the wind = fast'.
Ehh you definitely have to tack if you want to go somewhere windward. You can do about 45 degrees into the wind. In valheim.