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Sailing
Questions about wind-propelled water vessels, their maintenance, handling and rules governing their use.
2,485 Questions
What keeps a sailboat from tipping over?
A main longitudinal structure along the bottom of the sailboat called the keel.
This is what prevents it from tipping over.
How and where did sailing originate?
The art and science of sailing probably began on the Nile river with the Phoenicians, who pre-dated the Egyptians. Local people used the river for transport. Noticing the wind most often blew in reverse direction of the current, it became useful to drift downstream and spread fabric above a vessel to be blown back upstream with little or no human effort involved. As time and technology progressed, sailing evolved through numerous phases until today, and is still evolving.
What is a sailing vessel called?
It may be called a boat or a ship, a brig or cutter, a dhow or a scow. There are many different types and designs of sailing vessels.
A sailboat is operating under sail at night which lights should be used?
depends on the size of the boat, but at least a white light to the masthead.
A balloon sail is a large, light foresail sometimes used instead of a jib.
A sailboat is operating under sail at night. Which of these lights should be used?
You give no options but the standard lights depend on things like length overall. A minimum would be port and starboard running lights, masthead light and stern light
Who were the Australian challengers in the 1983 the America's Cup?
In 1983, John Bertrand skippered Australia II of Australia and won the America's Cup, thus ending the longest winning streak in the history of sport.
What is a pole on a sailboat that holds the sails called?
Masts, or see: http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_are_ship_poles_called
for a more indepth answer.
While sailing how does tacking work?
Tacking, changing direction by turning the bow (front) of the boat into the wind until the wind is pushing on the opposite side. Ex: If the wind is coming from starboard (right), you would turn the boat to the right until the wind comes from the port (left) side.
The tacking procedure will require to only change the jib (front sail) from one side to the other.
Jibing (or gybing), on the other hand is a similar maneuver, except that it requires turning the stern (rear) of the boat into the wind. This will also require to change the jib sail from one side to the other, along with easing the main sail from one side to the other while doing the maneuver, to avoid possible rigging damage due to the very quick swing of the boom. A much less comfortable and safe operation then tacking.
What are lateen sails made out of?
To quote Wikipedia's excellent answer:
A triangular sail, extended by a long yard, which is slung at about one fourth of its length from the lower end, to a low mast, this end being brought down at the tack, while the other end is elevated at an angle or about forty-five degrees; -- used in small boats, feluccas, xebecs, etc., especially in the Mediterranean and adjacent waters. Some lateen sails have also a boom on the lower side.
What buoys are white lights on?
In the US, to my knowledge, the only regular aids to navigation to have white lights are Safe water buoys (Entrance buoys) & range boards. Private aids to navigation may have white lights also. More to follow.
Where can you get a polar diagram for a sailboat?
Typically from the boat manufacturer if they had one made. Most cruising class boats especially those built by small manufacturers will likely not exist.
In nautical terms the point or quarter towards which the wind blows?
The side or quarter toward which the wind blows is the lee quarter, or side. the side from which the wind is blowing is the windward quarter, or side.
When boating at night what does a single green light on a vessel tell you?
You are looking at the Starboard (right) side of the boat. If you can't see the white stern light then that boat is pointed toward you.
What is a sail extender called?
1) What do you mean by sail extender? The rope to hoist (raise) the sail is called the halyard. The vertical beam supporting the sail is the mast, the horizontal beam supporting the sail is the boom.
2) It's called a SPRIT - see: Dictionary.com
What do you do if you see a green and whit light on a vessel at night?
you are following another vessel on it's starboard side.
the stern light and stbd running light are visible
What does 'sailing by ash breeze' mean?
When an old sailing ship was becalmed the crew had to break out the ships boats and row, towing the ship. As oars were often made of ash this is sailing by ash breeze
