2007-09-28 15:58:52 · 8 answers · asked by ;D 2 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Boats & Boating
Wind and water currents, various motors, and oars.
For the best answer on sail forces, try this link:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sails
it explains the airfoil effect used on some sails and blocking the wind for other types.
2007-09-29 07:34:26 · answer #1 · answered by Neal 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Well Boo, if you mean what ARE the forces that cause a sailing ship to sail then I can help you. The previous answerers have listed SOME of the forces that power a sailboat.
Charles was quite close, but you really need to forget the analogy with an airplanes wing.
If you think about it, an airplanes wing works because, in cross section, it's curved on the top and flat underneath. This keeps two airflows apart (one on top -one below) and makes a pressure difference that gives lift to the wing.
A sailboat's sail in cross section is curved on the top and curved underneath (because the fabric of the sail is only millemetres thick) - so nothing like an airplanes wing!!
A sailboat sails because it has a sail which catches the wind and pushes the boat to one side. It also has a keel in the water that provides an opposite force. So it's better to describe the action as if you hold a wet piece of soap between two fingers, if you squeeze your fingers together the soap shoots forwards.
Technically, the sail is attached to the mast, the mast and sail's centre of effort (CE) is ahead of the hull and keel's centre of resistance (CR), therefore the boat sails forward without the need for jet engines/propellers/baggage handlers/stewardesses etc..
All the best bigpathome.
2007-09-29 20:19:24 · answer #2 · answered by Bigpathome 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
the sail works much like an airplane wing. the curve of the sail makes the air move faster on the curved side, causing low pressure on the inside, making lift(horizontal, instead of vertical), and, on the bottom of the sail boat is a keel which keeps it from sliding sideways. you can also sail somewhat towards the direction the wins is coming from instead of just having it at your back
2007-09-29 00:55:07 · answer #3 · answered by c bud 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Sunlight is the energy used to make wind to allow the sails to push the ship.
2007-09-28 23:03:09 · answer #4 · answered by Lab 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you look up the theory of FLIGHT it will tell you how a sail works.All a sail is is a vertical wing working with the keel,(another vertical wing) hope this helps
2007-09-28 23:16:49 · answer #5 · answered by max k 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋
max k and Charles are correct.
If, you will go to the link, scroll down and click the first video; "How a Sailboat is Propelled" the man give a good explain.
http://www.expertvillage.com/interviews/sailing-lessons.htm
2007-09-29 11:05:26 · answer #6 · answered by Snaglefritz 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
wind
2007-09-28 23:32:41 · answer #7 · answered by lehanrony 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
....uhm
The desire to sell it to buy a POWERBOAT!
2007-09-29 09:00:25 · answer #8 · answered by Dr. AssWhole 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋