How can a beginner yachtsman learn to understand the wind?

How can a beginner yachtsman learn to understand the wind?

Now we're not looking at weather sites, but basic weather observations and simple physics that every yachtsman should master. To understand the wind, at least look at the surrounding flags and determine in which direction they are flying. Look for wind movement on the water. If the water is flat and smooth, it is logical that there is little wind; however, if you see white caps, the wind is much stronger. While on the yacht, you can notice the changes in the wind by the color of the water. A darker spot indicates a change in wind or gust. Identifying such changes is a very useful skill for the sailor as it allows you to be prepared to loosen or fill the sails.

Sail pulls the boat forward in the same way that a wing lifts an airplane. When the wind passes over the upper curve of an airplane wing, the air pressure decreases and the higher pressure under the wing pushes it towards the lower pressure. On a sailboat, the curved sail functions in the same way, creating lift to propel the yacht forward.

The experienced yachtsman also takes into account the difference between true and apparent wind.

True wind Is the wind that you feel when you are standing still.  

Pennant wind Is the wind you feel when you move. It is a combination of true wind and the wind created by your movement. Therefore, the apparent wind reaches its maximum speed on sharp courses - from Gulfwind to Beydewind, and its minimum value - on the fordewind course.

Another important point in sailing that you need to be well versed in is boat heading over wind - the ratio of the boat and the sail to the direction of the wind. A sailing yacht cannot sail directly against the wind - the sails will simply flutter. Most boats can sail at least 45 degrees relative to the wind. Less - sails will no longer generate thrust efficiently.

How can a beginner yachtsman learn to understand the wind?

Heading over wind (Points of Sail)

Leventic (Head to Wind) - this is the same position when the wind in relation to the boat blows from the front - to the bow. A yacht on sails cannot go against the wind, so the leventic is, in principle, not a course, it would be correct to say "position" or "dead zone".

Acute course:

Beydewind - a course at which the angle between the direction of the wind and the direction of movement of the boat is less than 90 degrees. The thrust of the sail at this course is entirely determined by its lift; as the wind pressure increases, the thrust decreases. Thus, in side haul, the sail, set at a minimum angle to the apparent wind, operates entirely on the same principle as an aerodynamic wing.

Steep sidewind (CloseHaul) - the course at which the boat is 30 to 45 degrees from the source of the wind, and the sails will be very tightly packed.

Close Reach - the course at which the boat is 45 to 60 degrees from the source of the wind, and the sails are inflated outside the boat.

Complete courses:

Gulfwind (Beam Reach) - a course at which the angle between the direction of the wind and the direction of movement of the boat is about 90 degrees - from 80 to 100 degrees. On this course, the wind blows perpendicular to the yacht's centerline (DP), and the pennant wind is directed from the bow at an acute angle to the DP. Accordingly, the sail is set at a smaller angle, its thrust is equal to the longitudinal component of the lift. On this course, the sail should roughly halve the angle between WF and apparent wind direction. This is the fastest, most comfortable and controllable course for the average yacht.

Backstag (Broad Reach) - the course of the wind, which blows at 100-170 degrees in relation to the boat, it is easier to say - from the back-side. The sail is set at an angle to the wind and the wind pressure plays a major role in creating the thrust of the sail. For the vast majority of boats, this is the fastest course.

Steep backstay - the course at which the boat is less than 135 degrees from the wind source.

Full backstay - the course at which the boat is in a position of more than 135 degrees from the source of the wind, that is, approaching the fordewind.

Fordewind (Run) - a course in which the wind is directed to the stern at an angle of 180 degrees, and the boat is in full wind. In other words, fordewind is a tailwind, but this does not mean that it is the fastest. Moreover, it requires the skipper to be careful, and also allows the installation of additional sails. For example, a spinnaker is placed exclusively on this course.

Heading over wind

It is also important to know the difference between the following terms:

Upwind: movement of the boat against the direction of the wind

Downwind: movement of the boat in the direction in which the wind is blowing

Windward: the side of the boat or the direction the wind is blowing from

Leeward: the side of the boat that is protected from the wind

Starboard Tack: when the starboard side of the yacht is upwind

Port Tack: when the port side of the yacht is upwind

Heading up: go at a sharper angle to the direction of the wind, which causes the boat to accelerate

Falling off: increase the angle between the direction of the wind and the center plane of the boat, which leads to a slowdown

When changing course with respect to the wind, the position of the sail is changed at the same time. For this it is necessary choose (pull up), or poison (let off).

How can a beginner yachtsman learn to understand the wind?

Tacking

If you find yourself in dead zone, and you need to get to some point located upwind, in this case the tacking Is movement towards your goal in a beydewind course variable tacks... A turn must be made to change tack, and there are two types of tack:

Overstag rotation

When making a maneuver, the bow of the boat crosses the wind line. The vessel is driven to the leventic position, then dives to another tack, to the desired course. This is the perfect maneuver for modern cruisers who are equipped with Bermuda sailing rigs.

Turn fordewind

Making this maneuver, now the stern of the boat crosses the wind line. For yachts with Bermuda rigging, the change of tack is accompanied by a rapid transfer of sails from one tack to another, and the spars and rigging experience a dynamic shock. This is a rather dangerous operation for an inexperienced crew, and in order to avoid injury, the maneuver is performed very technically and under strict control.

Now that you understand that it is imperative to read the wind, you can start practicing it live on the boat. With practice, any aspiring sailor can learn to use the wind to their advantage and get the best cruising or racing speed. And knowledge of nautical terms is extremely important for boat control and maneuvers that involve the crew. In this case, everything will go smoothly and smoothly.

Sailing school Interparus Yachting

06.03.2019