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How do boats sail into the wind?

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Anonymous

16y ago
Updated: 8/17/2019

Sailboats have large sails that are shaped like airplane wings, only sticking straight up. When air moves over the sail, lower pressure is created on one side, and higher pressure is created on the other side, creating lift (much like an airplane wing). This force would just move the boat sideways through the water, but a keel (a big fin going down the centerline of the boat) creates resistance to sideways movement. So the combined forces result in forward motion. his has limits however, because the sails have to take on the wind at a certain angle (which is done by adgusting the sail with ropes to swing it further in or out), which means that most boats can only sail about 35-45 degrees into the wind. To go straight into the wind, boats have to beat, which is zigzagging up into the wind.

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Wiki User

16y ago

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Related Questions

How fast are sail boats?

ALMOST as fast as the wind!


How do sail boats go without the wind or pressure?

By auxiliary engine


What do boats generally sail on?

Water like the sea or lakes, but the sails sail on the wind and air. Hope this is the answer you were looking for!


What are early uses of wind energy?

Wind energy is used to sail boats, and turn wind mills to make flour.


What energy goes in and out of sail boats?

Wind. You can also attach a machine that spins in the wind, generating electrical power.


How was wind power used historically?

-to pump water -grind grain -sail boats at sea


What Are The Uses Of Wind Power?

Wind power propels sail boats, and powers wind turbines. It is not as widely used as coal, natural gas or oil.


Do sail boats have motors?

some sail boats have moters onley big sail boats have moters not small ones


When under sail at night which boat is the stand on boat?

Assuming both boats are under sail, and both boats have adequate visibility, the position of the wind will determine which is the stand-on vessel and which is the give-way vessel. If each vessel has the wind on a different side, the one with the wind on the port side keeps clear. if both have the wind on the same side, the vessel nearest to the direction of the wind keeps clear.


Sail boats and kites use what kind of energy?

Wind motion is the type of energy used by kites and sailboats.


Boats sail plural or singular?

boats is the answer to your question


How do boats sail without the wind?

They don't 'sail'. They might move due to some other force acting on them however. This could include currents, tides etc.

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