2007-03-27 03:12:59 · 15 answers · asked by Anonymous in Cars & Transportation ➔ Boats & Boating
OK, there are two main ways, you either get sucked or blown ( stop that sniggering in the one and nines ).
This depends on the whether the desired direction of travel is towards the direction the wind is coming from or away.
The away part is simple, you present the maximum area of sail to the wind in as perpendicular an angle as safely possibly, and the force of the wind pushes you along. I.E. you're blown.
The towards the wind part is a little more complex. For this you are using the same forces that make an aeroplane fly. You present the sail at an angle to the wind ( imagine a wing flipped 90 degrees ) to create an accelerated airflow over the sail, which is called a venturi effect, using this effect you increase the air pressure on the concave face of the sail, and you decrease the air pressure on the convex face of the sail. This combination of pressure differentials actually causes you to get sucked along in the general direction of the convex, i.e. forward facing, side of the sail. By using the rudder to correct this motion you can steer anything up to within 30 odd degrees of the actual direction of the wind.
If you ( and this is almost always the case according to the special Murphy's Law of sailing ) want to go directly towards the wind, you have to 'tack', this entails sailing on one direction slightly off the direction you want for a while, then changing over and going to the other side of your preferred course...........sounds crazy ? It is, that's why we sailors are all a little doolally.
Anyway, that's it, sucked or blown, completely lacking in sufficient sandwiches for a picnic. Sailing in a nutshell.............Hahahahaha.........nutshell.......get it ???
2007-03-27 03:36:52 · answer #1 · answered by cosmicvoyager 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
. The Sails on my catamaran are each the forerunner design of an airplane wing. The smaller foreword jib sail scoops air forward of the larger main and forces air to speed up behind (convex) side of the main sail causing lift. Lift is what causes the boat to move forward.
Many sail boats do not have a jib sail. They still are able to move forward because the air travels faster behind the sail wing than the front. Good luck with your sail!
Go on line and study how airplane winds create lift. The top front of the wing bulges upward slightly while the bottom is flat which creates lift. A bird in flight has wings which appear to match sailboat wings.
Although a sailboat can not move directly into the absolute direction of the wind we veer off (fall off) about 35 - 40 degrees and (beat) foreword off wind. When we sail at a 90 degree angle to the wind that direction is called a reach.
2007-03-27 03:46:18 · answer #2 · answered by Country Boy 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The shape of the sail causes the wind to travel over the different sides of the sail at different speeds. The side of the sail where the wind travels at a higher speed has less pressure associated with it. So that means the other side has greater pressure and moves the boat in that direction. This is the reason a sailboat can sail somewhat towards the direction of the wind.
2007-03-27 03:23:46 · answer #3 · answered by Kenny 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Is this really a question? The force of the wind against a large flat object( the sail) propels the boat
2007-03-27 03:16:17 · answer #4 · answered by john p 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It moves by wind power because it has sails you control, instead of using the diesel inboard engine.
Sails vary on different rigs.
Whether you have a "light", "working", or "storm" sail plan you have to consider the "force" of the sails and the drag of the keel (underwater).
You don't have to go with the wind...you can sail into the wind if you like, with control of the "mainsail." (swings around)
You also have a "foresail." (smaller sail..forward of mast)
I'm referring to the "Sloop."
In rough seas....NEVER let your boat broach. (turn edge to the wind) ... IT WILL be destroyed by waves.
EDIT:
I'm not good at giving written instructions... hope you caught on to what I said.
2007-03-27 03:47:48 · answer #5 · answered by Bonnie Lynn 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because the wind is caught be the "sail" of the boat and causes the boat to go towards the direction steered.
2007-03-27 03:16:37 · answer #6 · answered by ajmiester_22 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
the sail captures the wind, causing force on the sail. The force propels the boat forward.
2007-03-27 03:15:13 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
the sail transfers the force of the wind to the ship.
if you put a bouyant object on the surface of water and blow on it, it will be pushed away from you, same idea.
2007-03-27 03:17:24 · answer #8 · answered by sobrien 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
because of the air pressure. and the force that the wind puts on the sail.
2007-03-27 03:15:35 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
because the sail catches the wind, thus moving the boat.
2007-03-27 03:15:24 · answer #10 · answered by Skater 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋