Hello Clanky,
You are of course right, hydrodynamics of any ship is extremely complex, and one can thank or congratulate VStep for the work they did until now and the pleasure the sim gives us.
Also, to answer the objection of J3nsen, I shall try to stay brief on this thread started in May. It was indeed not the first one on the subject.
From a different point of view, flight aerodynamics are as complex as ship hydrodynamics, and there are ship simulations/games with very credible handling characteristics, as e.g. the Virtual Skipper series. Big or small, from hydrodynamics point of view, it makes no difference. Certainly, pc's are today able to simulate the motions of any ship in any situation.
Proof of that, is that (with the sim as it is now) all movements of the ships are mocked up now, although not realistically, and it means equations of movements exist and are implemented, mostly correctly. The wind forces are not simulated as yet, nor the field of streams and stream gradient derived forces.
Second proof is the Polaris bridge (Kongsberg) simulator (I have no idea of the graphics rendering) http://www.simrad.com/KS/WEB/NOKBG0397.nsf/AllWeb/E8B9781F14BE35D4C125711F004821A2/$file/Release_5_0.pdf?OpenElement.
Apart from that, propeller thrust, rudder forces, ship static and dynamic parameters are simulated, computed and rendered. Also, there are more than enough nautical and maritime references in the NL to be sure the developers know which equations they would have to use to simulate the behavior of a ship in any circumstance, and to check if the sim is correct with professional 2D programs.
So, why is it not yet realistic enough, so as to puzzle even people who have less experience, although competent beta-testers try to help?
The answer must be lying in the physics engine, capable of simulating any object undergoing any kind of forces, but ignoring hydrodynamic ones. The problem is how to incorporate smoothly and credibly these forces and the reactions of the ship. It is not that the developers tried to simplify ship manoeuvring, it is an ongoing development of the game.
Of course, handling a big ship without causing damage is an art necessitating much training. That is also why realistic simulations are needed. There are on our rivers many young men/Spambot skippers of (?) not so small ships, even sometimes up to 110 m and 2300 to 3000 ton, who didnt quite qualify in Maritime Academies, and nevertheless manoeuvre their ship in narrow canals, rivers and harbors, crossing 10 locks a day, having gained the skills mostly through experience.
Also, dont you think mooring a VLCC could be enjoyable for 3 or 4 players, in multiplayer?
Of course, it is only an opinion about fun...?
Regards,
Luc
