Get to Know VR and Yacht

Level of difficulty

Beginner

Learning objectives

  • Getting to know the yacht's handling characteristics
  • Practicing how to use the throttle and steering wheel
  • Maintaining a course and navigating right angles smoothly
  • Understanding drift and course corrections

Prerequisites

None

Description

This exercise is designed to help you get used to the VR environment and familiarize yourself with the cockpit and the ship. In the opening scene, participants should familiarize themselves with the yacht.

  • Identify the controls
  • Move the steering wheel and get a feel for its range of motion
  • Gently move the throttle lever back and forth.

Challenges and possible solutions:

When maneuvering along the line, you should try to stay exactly on top of the line for as long as possible. To do this, glance back every now and then to check whether the line is aligned with the center of the rear of the vehicle.
Changing direction is a challenge. Typical problems include:

  • Insufficient speed (< 1.5 kn): This increases the turning radius, and the ship is very sluggish even when making course corrections. In addition, it continues to lose speed while turning.
  • Starting the turn too late: The boat ends up significantly “off” the line.
  • Starting the turn too cautiously: The change in direction should be initiated with a decisive rudder input to stay on the “ideal line” for as long as possible.
  • Zigzagging: Especially when returning to the line, overcompensation can quickly occur, leading to zigzagging. In this situation, it helps to center the rudder and wait until the boat has stabilized. Then bring the boat back on course with clear, short rudder inputs. The rudder should remain centered for as long as possible; beginners, in particular, should avoid gradual turns.

Starting conditions / Alternatives (ALT)

Moored at the dock. Get your bearings in the VR world.
No nautical target.
Start in the harbor basin. Ahead of you is a yellow star to guide you. You can collect all the stars by "driving over" them. Next to the stars, there is a large rectangle on the water. Try to follow the line as closely as possible
Park the ship (any way you like) in the marked area in the center of the arena.