A sailboat is a boat that uses wind to move through the water. A sailboat’s speed depends on the direction and strength of the wind, its size and load, and how it is sailed (steered). Sleek racing sailboats are designed to maximize speed while larger cruisers plod along more slowly due to the forces of drag and resistance.
Sailboats can be powered by either engines or by sails. Catamarans, with two parallel hulls, are often powered by both and are best for recreational sailing and lake cruising. Sail-powered boats are a more environmentally friendly option and have less impact on the environment than motorized boats.
The platonic ideal of a sailboat is the classic, colorful equilateral triangle sail pulled taut against a summer breeze. But the truth is that modern sailboats come in many shapes and sizes. Many are built with fiberglass, a material that became popular during and after World War II. Fiberglass is lightweight and moderately durable, and it can be molded to a variety of shapes and forms.
To reduce resistance, a sailboat’s surface needs to be smooth and even. Otherwise, turbulence will form and distort the flow of air over the sails. The resulting pressure difference between the low and high sides of the sail generates drag, which pulls the boat backward. This is why the shape of sails and keels has been continually fine-tuned to harness more wind energy.
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