People wonder, “Why do sailboats lean?” The short answer is that the power of the wind tilts the boat slightly.
On a more technical level, the breeze passing through the sails creates a “lift” like that of an airplane taking off. But in this case the “wing” operates sideways as the mast holding the mainsail steady. The ideal tilt is 10-15 degrees as the boat gains speed in a “close reach.” Anything over 15 -20 degrees is unnecessary, uncomfortable and rarely improves speed.
Landlubbers take a few minutes adjusting to the lean, but once they get the connection it becomes a veritable rush. As well, artists find the close reach the most attractive visual of sailing. Next we’ll look at a sailboat leaning beyond 15 degrees and explain why.
The close reach means the wind is close to the nose of the boat but not directly on the nose. Sailors use a wind vane mounted atop the mast. But it has a V shape with the apex pointed straight and afixed not to move. A relate arrow is moving. Then the object of the close reach is to get the arrow just outside one side of the V. Essentially you’re maneuvering the boat at the helm to angle it toward a close reach. And sometimes you can sail all day on that one tack. But typically you’ll run aground on one side of the river or the other, so we tack or turn the boat to go in the other directing. This zig zag movement downriver is called tacking.
Most of the anxiety among passengers comes in the first ten minutes under sail. Until now, we have been motoring nicely out of the marina and into the channel of Sarah Creek. Once the sails go up, the wind catches them and the heeling emerges. I like to quip, “Let the heeling begin.” The tendancy among anxious crew is to change sides, which is fine. But it doesn’t change the dynamic of the boat even though it makes them feel safer. Then these same people will get a gleam in their eye within the hour as they seek more speed. “What will it take?” they shout. “More heeling,” I respond. “Let’s do it!”
Let’s Find Out Why Sailboats Lean
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why sailboats lean why sailboats lean
