The Science of Sailing
The Science of Sailing
Wind, water, and the physics that move a boat
Know Your Boat
The basics
Hull: the body of the boat
Mast: the vertical pole holding sails
Boom: horizontal spar at the mast base
Keel: weighted fin below, resists tipping
Rudder: steers the boat
Sails Work Like Wings
The force
Wind curves around a sail, creating low pressure on the leeward side. That pressure difference pulls the boat forward.
Points of Sail
Wind angles
You Cannot Sail Into Wind
The dead zone
The "no-go zone" is roughly 45 degrees either side of the wind. Sails just flap. No lift. No movement.
To reach upwind, sailors tack: zigzagging at angles to get where they need to go.
Tacking vs. Jibing
Steering
How Fast Can a Sailboat Go?
The numbers
75 kts Record speed under sail Vestas Sailrocket 2, 2012
Modern foiling hulls lift clear of the water, slashing drag and unlocking extraordinary speeds.
Why Boats Don't Tip Over
Balance
The Ocean Is the Classroom
Physics lives in every gust, every tack, every wave. The best way to learn is to cast off.
Fair winds and following seas.