I have a question. I was reading in an old Piloting book today and it spoke of using oil on the water to keep the sea from breaking?? Could someone please explain this to me. I imagine it would not be looked upon as favorable from an environmental standpoint. Dave
- Status
I have read this many times.
I question the practicality on a small sailboat. How much oil does one carry even if cooking oil was added to motor oil ? I would think that if the seas were that rough to need the oil, i doubt if most would have enough to make a difference. Tony B
I question the practicality on a small sailboat. How much oil does one carry even if cooking oil was added to motor oil ? I would think that if the seas were that rough to need the oil, i doubt if most would have enough to make a difference. Tony B
Surface tension
The oil changes the surface tension of the water and makes the waves less likely to break. The tops hold together better and roll by rather than breaking. Use whale oil, it's less harmfull to the enviroment than the stuff most of us carry on our boats. Bob V
The oil changes the surface tension of the water and makes the waves less likely to break. The tops hold together better and roll by rather than breaking. Use whale oil, it's less harmfull to the enviroment than the stuff most of us carry on our boats. Bob V
Like Throwing Salt over your Shoulder!!!!
Joshua Slocum taked about using an oil drip to calm the breaking seas. But in real life it would take a lot of oil!!!!! Also the worst waves are coming from the windward. The oil is quickly blowing to the leeward!!!! I can't give a reference but I've read several places that the oil on the water is a myth. I guess during a tempest it might not hurt..throw some salt too. If all else fails Pray. This story probably comes from the oil slicks that form over large schools of fish. I have noticed that in moderate conditions these slicks have no whitecaps while the water around the slicks do have whitecaps. But again the oil will blow downwind. It does you little go to have calmer seas downwind of your boat!!!!!
Joshua Slocum taked about using an oil drip to calm the breaking seas. But in real life it would take a lot of oil!!!!! Also the worst waves are coming from the windward. The oil is quickly blowing to the leeward!!!! I can't give a reference but I've read several places that the oil on the water is a myth. I guess during a tempest it might not hurt..throw some salt too. If all else fails Pray. This story probably comes from the oil slicks that form over large schools of fish. I have noticed that in moderate conditions these slicks have no whitecaps while the water around the slicks do have whitecaps. But again the oil will blow downwind. It does you little go to have calmer seas downwind of your boat!!!!!
theory vs. practice
In theory it works. In practice, you don't have enough oil on board to make a difference, unless you are the Exxon Valdez, and then it's called an environmental disaster. Very bad PR.
In theory it works. In practice, you don't have enough oil on board to make a difference, unless you are the Exxon Valdez, and then it's called an environmental disaster. Very bad PR.
- Status