My husband and I have differing opinions on this topic. Is it possible to sail upwind, while you are heading directly into the wind? We haven't had much luck doing this and usually elect to drop the sails and motor - not always the best option (especially when your destination is 6-8 hours away). I have been unable to find anything in a "How To" book about it either. Thanks for your help, Darline Spring Balboa 22'
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Real Men Don't Take Their Wives Upwind, Etc.
Not without a lot of tacking and sailing about twice as far over ground. Lots of fun when daysailing, and a real pain transiting. Ergo, most boats returning from Mexico in the Pacific motorsail as one example. Rick D.
Not without a lot of tacking and sailing about twice as far over ground. Lots of fun when daysailing, and a real pain transiting. Ergo, most boats returning from Mexico in the Pacific motorsail as one example. Rick D.
Motor Sail
Try keepin you main only up and motor sail. You should sheet in and adjust your traveler to windward. You will get some of the benifit of the wind and a better ride. Len Fagan "Tale Winds"
Try keepin you main only up and motor sail. You should sheet in and adjust your traveler to windward. You will get some of the benifit of the wind and a better ride. Len Fagan "Tale Winds"
I'll tell ya my theory
You can sail anywhere, up wind, down wind, even backward. So long as you don't introduce a destination into your sail. If you have to be anywhere at a certain time your best bet is to go by car. It is almost a certainty that if you factor in a destination, the wind, waves, current and all of the opposing laws of physics, I believe even Zeus himself has worked overtime to prevent some of my scheduled arrivals! Good Luck, Paul
You can sail anywhere, up wind, down wind, even backward. So long as you don't introduce a destination into your sail. If you have to be anywhere at a certain time your best bet is to go by car. It is almost a certainty that if you factor in a destination, the wind, waves, current and all of the opposing laws of physics, I believe even Zeus himself has worked overtime to prevent some of my scheduled arrivals! Good Luck, Paul
Paul is Absolutly Correct
In fact I am about to take the compass off of my boat because the Windex does a better job. If I want to figure out which direction my destination is I just look up at the Windex and it always seems to be pointing right at it.
In fact I am about to take the compass off of my boat because the Windex does a better job. If I want to figure out which direction my destination is I just look up at the Windex and it always seems to be pointing right at it.
Within about 35 Degrees
Most of the books say that the best you can do is within about 35 degrees of the wind and that is with perfectly trimmed sails etc. That means on any given day there is about a 70 degree range of the compass that is unsailable. (best case) Normally, we can't get within about 45 degrees, but that may be the "empty cooler effect" ;-) Brian S/V CREW REST
Most of the books say that the best you can do is within about 35 degrees of the wind and that is with perfectly trimmed sails etc. That means on any given day there is about a 70 degree range of the compass that is unsailable. (best case) Normally, we can't get within about 45 degrees, but that may be the "empty cooler effect" ;-) Brian S/V CREW REST
You can't sail directly into the wind
Your sails will luff and you will end up going nowhere if you try to sail "directly" into the wind - as I'm sure you've found out. You must be pointed just off the wind for your sails to fill and then tack often. It's nothing to be afraid of but if the seas are high, it could get a little sloppy. BTW, you might want to get a different "How to" book if the one you have doesn't talk about sailing to weather! LaDonna
Your sails will luff and you will end up going nowhere if you try to sail "directly" into the wind - as I'm sure you've found out. You must be pointed just off the wind for your sails to fill and then tack often. It's nothing to be afraid of but if the seas are high, it could get a little sloppy. BTW, you might want to get a different "How to" book if the one you have doesn't talk about sailing to weather! LaDonna
Sail Apparent Upwind?
Hi Darline, Not only do you sail upwind by tacking (zig-zag), the faster you go, the more the apparent wind direction changes to dead ahead and the apparent wind speed increases. (This is how iceboats sail faster than the wind.) Here's a Steve Colgate article on the subject. (related link) There are 6 articles excerpting Colgates book "Colgate's Basic Sailing" on that same website. Click the "Article List" link under Steve's picture on the right. The articles in proper order are: 1. Sailing Basics 2. Apparent Wind 3. Sail Trim 4. The Balance of Hull and Sails 5. Hull Speed Demystified 6. Spinnaker Fundamentals Happy sails, MArk
Hi Darline, Not only do you sail upwind by tacking (zig-zag), the faster you go, the more the apparent wind direction changes to dead ahead and the apparent wind speed increases. (This is how iceboats sail faster than the wind.) Here's a Steve Colgate article on the subject. (related link) There are 6 articles excerpting Colgates book "Colgate's Basic Sailing" on that same website. Click the "Article List" link under Steve's picture on the right. The articles in proper order are: 1. Sailing Basics 2. Apparent Wind 3. Sail Trim 4. The Balance of Hull and Sails 5. Hull Speed Demystified 6. Spinnaker Fundamentals Happy sails, MArk
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