The Vsk5 Tide Table is a tool for Virtual Skipper 5 sailors that provides a visual representation of tide phases and allows users to adjust the high tide time and race time (target time) to match any race course timing...

Tidal Flow in Vsk5

In Vsk5, the tidal flow follows a fixed repeating sequence that repeats continuously over 24 hours. The individual tidal flow patterns themselves are static, meaning the duration and order of each phase... low, flood, high, ebb... do not change.

The default high tide time in Vsk5 is 18:00, unless the track author has defined a different high tide.

Each track has four distinct tide maps, corresponding to the four phases: Low, Flood, High, Ebb

When the tidal phase changes, the map automatically changes to match the new phase.

How to Use the App

1. Set High Tide Time

Locate the “High Tide Time” input at the top of the app.

Enter the desired time in HH:MM 24-hour format (e.g., 18:00).

If left unchanged, the chart assumes the default high tide at 18:00, matching the standard Vsk5 setting.

The chart automatically shifts the tide pattern so high tide occurs at the specified time.

2. Read the Tide Chart

The line chart shows tidal phasess from low to high.

Hover over the chart to see the current tidal phase (low, flood, high, ebb) at each point.

⚠️ Phase-Specific Patterns: Each phase has its own tide pattern. When the tide transitions from one phase to the next, the visual pattern and in-game flow behavior changes automatically to reflect the new phase.

4. Planning Strategy

Use the chart to anticipate current direction and water level changes.
Adjust the high tide time to match your intended race start or other target timing.

Wind Wave & Stream Atlas and Tide Table

The Wind Wave & Stream Atlas is an updated, easier to use, version of the originally compiled 2010 PDF,..

Almanach Tribo / Winds, Streams & Waves for Vsk5

Wind Wave & Stream Atlas

The Wind Wave & Stream Atlas is designed to display the wind flow, tidal flow, and wave height patterns for the 14 standard locations used in Vsk5. Unlike the Tropical and Nordic locations, the patterns for the 14 standard locations remain constant and cannot be modified in the Track Editor, making this tool essential for strategizing races.

1. Navigating the Interface

Dropdown Selection Menus:

Location Dropdown – Select one of the 14 available racing locations.

Category Dropdown – Choose between:

Winds (wind flow direction patterns)

Tides (tidal flow direction patterns)

Waves (wave height and direction patterns)

Direction Dropdown – Allows you to select different directions depending on the category.

2. Viewing the Charts

Once a location, category, and direction are selected, the corresponding chart will be displayed.

The chart provides a visual representation of the chosen condition at that location.

3. Interactive Features

Zooming: Use your mouse wheel to zoom in and out.

Panning: Click and drag to move the chart around.

Resetting: To change locations or categories, simply select a new option from the dropdown menus.

4. How to Use the Charts for Racing Strategy

Wind Charts: Help you anticipate shifts and plan tacking strategies.

Tidal Charts: Show how currents will impact your boat’s speed and heading.

Wave Charts: Help you adjust your sail trim and boat handling based on wave height and direction.

Using Both Tools Together

When used in tandem, the Atlas & Tide Table apps provide a complete tactical overview of any of the standard Vsk5 venues:

1. Determine the tidal phase using the Tide Table.
   
   

2. Open the matching tidal-phase map in the Chart Viewer.
   
   

3. Study how water, wind, and waves behave on each leg of the racecourse.
   
   

If the user has the race track file stored locally, the tools can be used to analyze the exact layout of any course at any time:

Identify which side of the beat is naturally favored.

Evaluate whether cross-current or down-current legs require early layline compensation.

Choose gate options based on pressure and current.

Plan start-line techniques depending on whether the current pushes the fleet over or holds it back.

Anticipate downwind instability or increased boat speed from wave-driven surfing.

This approach mirrors how real tacticians prepare for major regattas—by studying charts, tide tables, and local weather patterns well before the fleet ever leaves the dock.

A True Local-Knowledge Advantage

These tools allow VSK5 sailors to prepare for any venue with the same analytical methods used by professional teams:

Study conditions offline

Build pre-race strategies

Practice venue-specific scenarios

Understand underlying patterns rather than reacting blindly

The result is a significant competitive advantage. Decisions become deliberate, not reactive. Positioning becomes proactive. And race outcomes become more consistent as players learn how each venue behaves beneath the surface.

The High Tide time and Start Time are located in your Race Information.

You can confirm the tidal phase in your Weather Bulletin.