Zezo forum:

Post by smallcraftwarning | 2014-11-26 | 03:28:25

I've been a lurker on these pages for a while but wanted first to join everyone else in thanking you for creating an amazing tool. Seriously, I find playing with this site sometimes more entertaining than the VOR itself.

I think this has been a very interesting leg. I am among the pack of boats that has been following the zezo routing very closely on this leg, and I am currently stuck in the middle of the line between the northern boats that seems to be in the lead and the southern boats that seem to have taken a flier that may not pay off (but, of course, time will tell!). I can tell by the movements of the boats around me that I am among a number of other devout followers of this page.

I am curious, though, how the northern and southern groups came to their decisions to follow their respective strategies. Are there other routing tools that might have suggested different strategies? Anyone in those packs who'd be willing to weigh in on that?

6 Comments

Post by Hobart | 2014-11-26 | 07:37:44

My opinion is that we use this tool on Zezo to confirm our course choice and to make quicker course changes with the router tool. I follow the suggested course loosely and do not make most of the small course changes. The Router is extremely helpful for planning 2 to 8 days out. You can still make right and wrong decisions depending on the new wind update. The Zezo Router can only make course decisions based on the current wind projections. Change the wind and the prior course may be a poor choice now.

I've read some new users complain that this tool makes it too easy and all you have to do is follow the course on Zezo.
If that was true, why are the boats a 1,000 miles apart? Many good racers are North and many are South, they didn't follow the Zezo course very good did they. They want to win and choose the course they believe is the fastest to the finish line. Many times that requires choosing a different course than the Zezo tool suggests.

Good sailing!
Sail36

Post by lotsemann | 2014-11-30 | 01:37:06

One thing to note about the proper use of Zezo is that the software does not know anything about pattern recognition. This is for the human to do, and it can be an incredibly complex task, especially if the weather is quite variable, as it has been.

Post by skindeep | 2014-11-27 | 21:04:42

I find it hard to work out sometimes but I think Zezo only computes the best path for current boat position and forecast - move the boat a couple of miles and the route can change a lot. if you are like me and miss a tack or wake up late then it can change. I too use Zezo a guide but pick my own route based on wind etc. I don't use any other tools. Navi-guessing I call it.
Good sailing! =^)

Post by zezo | 2014-11-29 | 17:59:07

There is no history of past decisions, so it only depends on current conditions. Weather forecast has been quite unstable during this leg, so the routing goes all over the Indian ocean all the time.

Post by lotsemann | 2014-11-30 | 02:10:32

It�s possible that the easterners (me included) made a mistake, period: http://www.bandgblog.com/volvooceanrace/mark-chisnell-leg-2-week-1-and-so-the-game-begins/

Post by POR36 | 2014-11-30 | 02:32:00

Hi everyone,

From the previous post its easy to tell how complex this can be. Not compatible with family and working agenda. Reason this wonderful tool is really handy.

To my knowledge some use the zezo as a reference. I follow it during leg 1 much more tight than on this leg. Apparently these unstable weather systems have been making 'damage'!

By the way do you all navigate more on TWA or heading (course)?

Cheers