M
MArk
Horizontal lift?
Hey Yawl,The keel/fin IS a lifting body. The "lift" is horizontal to counter the sideward push of the wind. (That's why pie pans can't sail upwind.) As Sam stated earlier, the lift is due to the angle of attack. The horizontal cross-sectional shape of the fin prevents turbulence which would reduce this lift.Any fin keel (as any part of a boat) is a compromise. Your boat would sail faster downwind without one (like when I pull up my centerboard!). A square shaped one is best when sailing crosswind. A deep, thin one is best for sailing upwind. A forward swept keel (and some wing-keels) tends to collect seaweed which also increases drag.See the related article:Happy sails _/), (and New Year!)MArk
Hey Yawl,The keel/fin IS a lifting body. The "lift" is horizontal to counter the sideward push of the wind. (That's why pie pans can't sail upwind.) As Sam stated earlier, the lift is due to the angle of attack. The horizontal cross-sectional shape of the fin prevents turbulence which would reduce this lift.Any fin keel (as any part of a boat) is a compromise. Your boat would sail faster downwind without one (like when I pull up my centerboard!). A square shaped one is best when sailing crosswind. A deep, thin one is best for sailing upwind. A forward swept keel (and some wing-keels) tends to collect seaweed which also increases drag.See the related article:Happy sails _/), (and New Year!)MArk