0
Sailing
Questions about wind-propelled water vessels, their maintenance, handling and rules governing their use.
2,485 Questions
At what angle should the sail of a sailboat be to produce the maximum speed?
I believe you're asking about sailing up wind. So a better way word your question is:
"When sailing upwind, how far (or what angle) off wind must a sailboat be in order to maximize the wind and produce the fastest hull speed?"
All sailboat makers design their hulls different. However, as varied as sailboats get, they all seem to obey the same basic principles when sailing upwind.
Most sail boats are equipped with a wind vane usually mounted at the top of the main sail mast of the ship. On it are two angled indicators with red flags at the tips (one towards starboard aft and one towards port aft) producing about a 60 degree arc open directly to the stern. If the wind vane is outside the 60 degree arc, you may use the wind. If you are inside the arc, you will get luffing or backing in your sails. The trick is to line up the wind vane so that it is just outside one of the indicators and make the sails taught (but never as taught as possible). That angle is about 35 degrees off wind.
Note that your resultant bearing will be greater than 35 degrees off wind. The boat slicing through the water is not 100% efficient due to varying keels, hull designs and displacements. Also water current can effect your bearing pushing you further off wind.
Once you "gain a feel" for the angle, you'll be able to hit it every time without cheating and looking up at the wind vane for help. Happy sailing.
When did Rod Steward release the song 'Sailing'?
'Sailing' by Rod Stewart was originally released in 1975. By September 1975, it had reached number 1 in the top 40 UK charts where it stayed for 4 weeks. A year later, the single was re-released and entered the top 10.
What boats are sailed on college sailing teams?
colleges race a wide variety of boats. The main boats include:
- 420s - 2 person, 2 sails, spinnaker
- FJs- 2 person, 2 sails (smaller and lighter than a 420), no spinnaker
- Tech Dinghies- at MIT, one person, one sail, same length as a 420
How big should a jib sail be relative to the mainsail?
One a sloop, it depends on what you're doing. On racing boats in light air I've seen jibs up to 180%. That's a heck of a lot of sail to tack if you're soloing, and it's not super useful most of the time so you'd best be rich too, and have a Lot of bags. As a general purpose sail (i.e. if I were to have only one jib), I'd go from 90% if I sailed solo a lot in medium to heavy air up to 120% if I was in an area that was customarily light air (Laguna BEach, Calif, for instance).
What holds up the mast on a boat?
as far as holding "up" ... the mast is usually stepped (attached) to the deck or keel on a sailboat. this supports the gravity downward load.
to keep it from toppling over in the slightest breeze, there are wire rope stays connected at various points. in a masthead sloop there is a headstay and backstay connecting the front and back of the boat to the top of the mast. there are also shrouds (left and right) wire rope rigging (usually) that hold the mast up from the left and right.
there can also be attachments at the midheight of the mast for fore and aft shrouds as well.
What is lines fastened to sails?
They are referred to as "sheets" as in "the main sheet" for controlling the mainsail & "the jib sheet" for controlling the jibsail.
What is the main reason for assuming the help position when you are stranded in the water?
In cold waters, assume the HELP position (Heat Escape Lessening Position). This is where you roll up into a ball with your chest against your thighs, while gripping your ankles. This will allow your body to retain heat longer, and could save your life if it gives more time for a ship to come by.
Word to describe at the side of a ship?
The sides of a ship are the hull. The top of the hull are the gunwales (pronounced gunnels). A ship could be loaded to the gunwales (low in the water).
How much does it cost to live on a sailboat?
If you are docked, the marina will charge electric/water/waste fees. Comparatively speaking, it's just like camping out. While travelling, the cost of food is all.
A vessel sailing from Hamburg to Singapore will use which canal?
Hopefully, the Panama Canal in the southwestern area of the Caribbean Sea.
What does it mean when you see only a red and green light on a vessel at night?
Each light on a vessel has a certain viewing angle.
The red and green lights have a 22.5 degree arc abaft the beam to the bows viewing angle and indicate whether you are in front of, left (Port) or right (Starboard) side to the vessel.
If you saw just the red and green lights at the same time you would have been directly in front of the vessel since these lights are not visible from the stern. you should have noticed the main mast light also which is visible from 22.5 degrees abaft the beam starboard to 22.5 degrees abaft the beam port.
If you didn't see the main light and port and starboard lamps you were directly in front of the vessel and somebody needed to change the main light bulb either that or you were in collision and sank before you noticed it.
What does the nautical term list mean?
It means leaning over. ==More specifically== Both list and heel refer to lean or tilt in a boat or ship. The term list is usually used to refer to a tendency of a boat to lean due to some problem of ballast or weight distribution. Heel, on the other hand, is usually used to refer to the leaning of a sailboat as a result of the force of the wind upon its sails. Hope that helps clarify the difference between the two.
What kind of vessel should display one or more yellow lights when towing?
Inland or International? Pushing, pulling or pulling alongside?
Inland
Lights and Shapes
Rule 24
(c) A power driven vessel when pushing ahead or towing alongside, except as required by paragraphs (b) and (i) Covers composite units) of this rule, shall exhibit:
(iii) Two towing lights (yellow) in a vertical line.
(i) Notwithstanding paragraph (c), on the Western rivers (except below the Huey P. Long bridge on the Mississippi River) and on waters specified by the secretary, a power-driven vessel when pushing ahead or towing alongside, excepts as paragraph (b) applies, shall exhibit:
(i) sidelights; and
(ii) two towing lights (yellow)in a vertical line.
What are the important parts of a sailing ship?
Hull, mast, sail, lines, anchor, lights, keel, galley
When a sailboat overtakes a powerboat what vessel is the stand on vessel?
It depends on the situation.
'Rules of the road' at sea are guidelines.
Generally, the vessel being overtaken has priority. But don't take that to court if you are damaged by an oil tanker in your pleasure craft in a shipping lane. You will lose!
How parts are on a sunfish the sailboat?
There are a lot of parts commonly used on the Sunfish Sailboat. Assuming the question should read, how many parts are on a sunfish, the answer is approximately 15-20, depending on what you classify as a part. Take a look at the Sunfish Parts list in the related links section for an idea on some of the common parts needed to sail a Sunfish.
