A new sailing simulator for PC and Mac computers will appeal to experienced sailors and novices alike, its makers hope.

Officially launched at the Royal Southern Yacht Club in Hamble yesterday (Friday 5 October), eSail Sailing Simulator puts you in charge of a virtual 36ft sailing yacht to explore the sea around a chain of islands.

Designed to fill the gap between theory and practical training, eSail is touted as “an easy way of learning, practising and refreshing skills in a virtual environment”, according to its developers.

Expert helmsmen and women can use the software as a winter training simulator, diving straight into its series of sailing challenges.

Beginners, meanwhile, can learn all the basics of how to sail — from raising sails to tacking and gybing and even course plotting — before they get out on the water.

eSail Sailing Simulator is available now on the Steam platform at the special Early Access price of €19.99.