Physics Of Sailing [480p]

For a boat to be balanced, the "push" from the sails (Center of Effort) must align correctly with the "pivot" of the keel (Center of Lateral Resistance).

As a boat speeds up, the wind "shifts" toward the front of the boat. Physics of Sailing

Sailing is essentially a game of "aerodynamic tug-of-war" between the air above the water and the water below it. 1. The Sail as a Wing (Lift) For a boat to be balanced, the "push"

If the sail creates a sideways force, why doesn’t the boat just slide sideways? The answer is the (or centerboard) under the boat. Like an airplane wing, a curved sail creates

Like an airplane wing, a curved sail creates a pressure difference. Air travels faster over the "outer" (leeward) curve of the sail, creating low pressure. Higher pressure on the inside pushes the sail toward that low-pressure zone.