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Did the lateen sail decrease a sailer's dependence on the force of the wind or on the direction of the wind?
Wiki User
∙ 13y ago
It reduced their dependence on the direction of the wind.
Wiki User
∙ 13y ago
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When was the lateen sail invented?
The lateen sail was invented around 100.
How did the lateen sail help European explorers?
how did the lateen sail help the european explorers
Did the invention of triangular lateen sails make it possible for ships to sail more easily into the wind?
Allegedly, the lateen sail design made it possible to sail closer into the wind. That is, less than 45 degrees from the direction the wind is blowing. No sail boat can sail directly into the wind. Yet.
A lateen is?
A type of sail
What are lateen sails?
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What is a lateen sail?
a trangular sail
Where was lateen sail invented?
in polynesia
What is an example of Lateen Sail?
The Arabs used them
Lateen sails were triangular these sails were square?
Trapezoidal, actually. But the square sails were called square sails. Lateen or square could be referred to as yards.
How does a Lateen Sail work?
Lateen sails work in much the same way that most other triangular sails work. If the wind is behind the sail it will push the boat/ship/craft/vessel forward. But suppose that the boat is at right angles to the wind. What happens then? The sail is let out on the side of the boat that away from the wind. The wind blows against the surface of the sail. It might strike the surface at an angle of, say 140o. The wind escapes from the side of the sail at its widest point, and the boat slides towards the opposite direction i.e. the direction the boat is facing, its keel preventing it from simply moving/sliding in the water in a path directly away from the wind This is a basic explanation of how a Lateen sail works. Of course, it doesn't fully explain how a boat with Lateen sails can sail almost directly into the wind! For more information, see 'Related links' below.
What is the importance of lateen sail?
The lateen is believed to have been used in the Eastern Mediterranean as early as the 2nd Century ce (common ear). The effective use by the Arabs caused it's rapid spread through the Mediterranean. The lateen sail was so popular because its ability to sail into the wind. Prior to the lateen a majority of sea vessels used square sails (which one can imagine wouldn't sail into the wind very effectively). The lateen made up a majority of ship sails during the Age of Discovery (When Columbus discovered the Americas). The lateen made it possible to sail faster, farther, and more efficiently. An elite ship during the Age of Discovery was the caravel, its elite status can be attributed to how effectively it utilized the lateen sail.
Why was the triangular lateen sail an improvment over the old square-rigged sail?
The lateen sail was used at the same time a square sail was used, but has different uses. The square sail is fine if you have a heavy boat and always fiind a wind that is blowing in the direction you want to go. Under such conditions, a lateen sail isn't much of an improvement. It was only once boats were made lighter (to faster get from the Atlantic to the Orient) that the triangular sails were an advantage. Also, if the wind is often blowing sideways to the way you want to go, a square sail, even if angled, doesn't work as well as a lateen sail. A triangular sail actually has a bit of lift to it so you can point your boat closer to the eye of the wind and still sail. This makes it ideal for sailing in and out of harbors and along the coasts. So small boats orginated the lateen sail for dexterity.
