For many people, learning how to sail is a life-changing experience that gives them the freedom and exposure to new places they never would have experienced otherwise. They may go on to compete professionally, teach others to sail, or simply enjoy the physical endeavors and bonding that come with sailing for fun.
While the rigors of living on a sailboat often lead to bruised ribs, a sore back and the constant effort of pulling ropes and handling sails, it’s still easy enough for just about anyone to get started in what could become a lifelong hobby. All that is needed to do so is a boat and the wind to harness its power.
The mainsail and jib capture the majority of the wind’s energy by attaching to the mast, an upright pole, and the boom, which is parallel to the deck. When sailors move the mast perpendicular to the wind, they generate lift — a force that makes the sail puff outward. When sailors tack (move the mast toward the wind to catch a different angle of wind), they create drag, which pushes the sail inward.
Sailboats also use their keels, long flat pieces that run the length of the vessel beneath the water, to cancel out these equal and opposing sideways forces and focus the collected wind power forward. This is known as lateral plane control and prevents leeway, which can throw the boat off course. Fin keels, which are found on some modern monocoque sailboats, work in the same way but in a more compact design.
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