Review of Little Sailor Sailing Simulator and Racing App
The Best Sail Simulator for Apple Devices
If you're looking for an app that has realistic sailing physicsand lets you sail race with full control and tons of options, along withtutorials and modes for learning to sail, skip the competing apps likeSailSim,Sailboat ChampionshipPRO, and 3D Sailing Simulator Regatta and go straight to Little Sailor. It's fun, it has greatgraphics, and it works well with very few flaws. Versionreviewed: 5.1 for Apple devices - $2.99
Reviewed on iPod Touch
Also available for Samsung bada (UK), Windows Mobile, Palm OS
Apparently not available at this time for Android
Key FeaturesLittleSailor is so rich in features and options that it's more like a full-fledgedvideogame (like your teens might play) than an app for the small screen. Thisreview can only touch on the highlights of all the options for how you mightplay or use it. When youfirst play, be sure to take advantage of the game tutorials to learn basicfunctions and how to control your boat. Followingis an overview of game functions and features: · Sailing controls include steering by tilting the device,trimming the sail in and out, reducing sail in high winds, and running theengine · Graphics demonstrate realistic effects of sail trim with boatspeed, heeling, capsizing, running aground, etc. · Vivid and imaginative graphics (like watching the sailor swimback to the boat after a capsize, right it and climb aboard to resume sailing),realistic scenes with shoals, rocks, moored boats, islands, flying seagulls,etc. · Dozens of options in race courses and competitors, including customizingyour own race course · Complete control over game speed, hints, automatic or manualfunctions, camera angles, sounds · Replay races after they end to watch your boat in differentviews of the course to learn from your mistakes
The DownsideThe more powerful any piece of software, and the more options itoffers, generally the more difficult to learn and get started. While LittleSailor's tutorials do get you up and sailing right away, it still takes a whileto figure out what all the other options do (in display, control, racefunctions). It's worthwhile to browse the developer's website to explore some of the controls and options before diving in toodeep. A few ofthe little things some users complain about: · No choice of boat types · Sometimes difficult to see where to go next when rounding a mark · Would be nice to have a knotmeter to more easily see effects ofsail trim on speed · Difficult to switch among different views during races - easy toaccidentally touch the screen in a way that unexpectedly alters the view
ConclusionsOnly thename of this app is regrettable, since "little sailor" sounds morelike a kid's toy than an app adults, and even experienced sailors, can enjoy.As of this writing, this is the best simulator app I've seen, with stunninggraphics and realism. I love watching the sailor hike far out to counterbalancegreater heel, then scramble to the other side during a tack. You can reallyfeel you're there. Too bad Little Sailor has not yet reached the Android platform.
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