Student
jan g
oakville, ON, Canada
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Skipper (small keelboat) Level I
Status: Sailor
Qualified days: 0
Posted 2024, Apr 09 19:56
if 4 knots to 16 knots is a change of force by 16 times how does 4 knots to 32 knots equate to a force change of 64 times? per the text, the increase is 4 times but 4 times what amount? the difference between? that can't be it because neither example would be correct. sorry, Im mathmatically challenged but I can't see how these numbers are working. Thanks!
Student
Mike Lookinland
SALT LAKE CITY, UT, USA
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Skipper Level II
Status: Sailor
Qualified days: 44
Posted 2024, Jul 14 03:05
I read somewhere very recently the true wind angle is “always 100% guaranteed” to be more toward 180deg than the apparent wind angle.
Yes? ML
Student
Michael Kamfonas
Devon, PA, USA
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Qualified Crew Member Level I
Status: Big Time Sailor
Qualified days: 14
Posted 2024, Aug 25 19:11
This is an exciting chapter.
When reefing, we rely on the topping lift to hold the boom when relaxing the halyard. With a perfectly triangular sail, the topping lift can always stay clear of the main leech. However, if we have roached sails, the topping lift will interfere with the sail when we tack. Before starting the reefing process, do I understand correctly that we should tighten the topping lift to hold the boom at the right level and, after the sail is secured, readjust (relax) the topping lift again to stay out of the way from the leech as the last step of the reefing procedure suggests?
Student
Dorian Swerdlow
White Plains, NY, USA
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Captain Level IV
Status: Really Big Time Sailor
Qualified days: 169
Posted 2024, Dec 10 14:45
I think it should be clarified whether a beam reach is 90 degrees to the true wind or the apparent wind. Most point of sail diagrams show a beam reach as 90 degrees to the true wind. However, the "Point of Sail Animation" shows the wind vane at 90 degrees on a beam reach. This would imply a beam reach is 90 degrees to the apparent wind.
My view is that a beam reach is 90 degrees to the true wind, which would have the wind vane pointing a bit forward of the beam.
Student
Dorian Swerdlow
White Plains, NY, USA
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Captain Level IV
Status: Really Big Time Sailor
Qualified days: 169
Posted 2024, Dec 10 15:33
This is a great page with a great illustration of sailboat balance, but it leaves off one important factor. A great addition would be to explain that heeling is experienced mostly while going upwind because the force generated by the sail is at a significant angle relative to the boat's heading. As the boat bears away, the force generated by the sail gets more aligned with the direction of the boat, thus healing decreases as wind angle increases.
Student
Dorian Swerdlow
White Plains, NY, USA
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Captain Level IV
Status: Really Big Time Sailor
Qualified days: 169
Posted 2025, Feb 11 15:20
Memorizing the sail trim diagram is important, but there is a way to see if the sail is trimmed properly. Let the sail out until it starts to luff, and then pull it in just until the luffing stops. This works when sailing on a beam reach and higher. It works for both the mainsail and jib.
I know there is a lot more in the sail trim course, but the above point about luffing fits well here.
