sailors eventually developed airfoil sails that allow sailing in directions other than downwind. Apolar diagramfor a vessel gives you a useful chart of how fast it can go at a given angle to the wind. Sailing directly into the wind is also known as being “in irons” as it doesn’t get...
This is the easiest point of sail in terms of comfort, but it can also be the most dangerous. When sailing upwind, it's easy to stop the boat by heading into the wind; a sailor has no such easy out when running. Severe rolling is more likely as there is less rolling resistance ...
A gaff rig is named for the extra spar, called a gaff, which is raised with the sail and results in a four-sided mainsail (and/or mizzen). Gaff rigged boats are generally less efficient at sailing upwind. The end of the gaff near the mast is called the throat and the end furthest ...
Sailing with the wind is calledsailing before the windorrunning. Contrary to what might be expected, running is not so fast as reaching. In running, the sail is simply pushed along by the wind and makes its own resistance. Many racing boats use spinnakers for added speed when running. The...
Marigold was now upwind, which would mean motoring, and motoring upwind in waves and a good breeze is exactly what Great Auk will not do. Heartbreaking as it was, Great Auk and I sailed away, and little Marigold disappeared in the night. Of course the worst, scariest part of the story...
“She’s also got a good motion and an excellent turn of speed,” he continues. “We can do 16kn true if we’re going upwind. Off the wind a bit and 17-18kn is very achievable and feels good. Her best point of sail is a beam reach: the big mast and lifting keel mean she ca...
is the “pinball effect” when a boat in the nearby anchorage drags anchor or breaks loose from a mooring and damages others as it drifts. While we can take proper precautions for our own boat, we can’t be sure of the security of other vessels. This is what prompted us to spend ...
There was also a pod of three or four humpback whales, a family group perhaps, heading north alongside us for an hour or more. I marvel at their grace and size, but they were at times too close for comfort, an added source of anxiety, It is truly important that we look after the...
Triangular sails, also known as lateen sails, were likely invented around the 2nd century BCE by sailors in the Mediterranean region. They were commonly used by ancient civilizations such as the Egyptians, Phoenicians, and Greeks. amanda Why was the lateen sail important? 1 year ago Reply The...
when the time finally came time to start the needed restoration. Here’s the story of acquiring the boat, and what’s currently in our back yard. I wonder who will agree it’s a good idea to add three more hulls to the family. This Farrier F25C is going to be a blast to sail :...