Whether a sleek racing craft or a family-friendly cruising yacht, a sailboat relies on the same basic physics principles to float and move through water. Learn how these amazing vessels work, and read more to discover why sailing is such a popular pastime for people of all ages and skill levels.
Sailboats get their power from the wind, which pushes them forward as they are tacked (moved at an angle to the wind). But there’s also the force of the water, caused by the long, flat keel submerged in the bottom of the boat. As the keel pivots with the motion of the boat, it creates sideways force against the wind, countering the forward push.
The challenge of balancing these forces has driven many innovations in the design of boats, from the first simple animal skins to today’s modern vessels. For instance, the keel has two important functions: it prevents the boat from being blown sideways and holds the ballast—a weight traditionally at the bottom of the keel that keeps the boat right-side up.
Other important elements of a sailboat include the mast (which holds the sail), centerboard (a plate that pivots to lessen leeway and balance the boat), boom vang (a line used to hold the boom up), backstay (a rod or cable that runs from the stern to the top of the mast), cleat (a fastening where lines are able to be secured) and the bow. To maximize speed, the shape of a sail is a major consideration because smooth surfaces allow for laminar flow and minimize resistance.
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