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The wind hitting the sail at an angle upwind pushes it sideways which is why you zigzag.

Downwind wind hit sail straight on

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13y ago

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How do sails help galleons?

Sails use the wind to move a ship or boat. This has been true in the ancient past to the current day.


How are ships with sails powered?

no the wind blows the sail/s and makes the ship/boat move :)


How would the viking long boat move?

by using its sails and if theres no wind they use oars


What things need wind to move like wind mills?

Sails on a boat, wind turbines, kites, and windsocks are examples of objects that need wind to move like windmills.


What moves a sailing vessel?

Typically the wind and sails, but paddles and motors can be used. Tides and currents move them as well.The wind foils around the sail and actually pulls the boat forward. Should a given boat with high freeboard happen to have her sails down, the wind will still pull the boat downwind.


How does air help to make a sailboat move?

The wind blowing past the sails creates a force that pulls the boat along.


Does a sail make the boat move slower or faster?

Actually, it does both depending on how you use them. The sails can move so a person sailing a boat can catch the wind by how they move the sail or they can also stop the boat by the movement of a sail or lowering the sail.


How do they move a boat with only wind power?

The wind power pushes the boat with the different sails that can be changed by the direction of the wind and with the help of the rudder or even shifting body weight. Normally a zig zag route maneuvers helps in pushing the boat forward.


How does the wind affect a boat's speed?

By the types of sails that you have. or it could be the wind type or the wind's speed


How is it possible that sailboats can go faster than the wind?

By controlling its flow across the sails: If the boat is light enough, it WILL move faster across the water than the wind does.


Is a sailing boat is powered by the wind?

Most of the time. Some are powered by motors, but all of them have the sails (different numbers for different kinds of ships). The wind catches in the sails and moves the boat. Depending on the angle of the sail, the ship can move in almost any direction. Though it is easiest when the wind is right behind the boat. When the wind is blowing in the opposite direction you want to go, then there is a technique that you can use called "tacking".


In irons is when the boat is headed directly into the wind and sails are empty of wind what is the term when the wind is directly behind you and sails are empty?

It is the same thing: You are in irons when you are making no headway.