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They pretty much don't. If a sail-only ship is becalmed, or caught without wind, she is at the mercy of the currents until the wind picks up again.
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Device that helps ships sail into the wind?
No sailing ship can sail directly into the wind. However by rigging the sails correctly the vessel can be made to sail more closely to the wind.
What best explains how triangular sails improved sailing?
ships could sail against the wind.
Do sailing ships have to go the same way as the wind?
No, by properly trimming the sails, it is possible to sail within approximately 45 degrees of the wind's oncoming direction.
What has the author Diane Beeston written?
Diane Beeston has written: 'Of wind, fog and sail' -- subject- s -: Photography of sailing ships
What is used in sailing?
a boat a sail and the wind
How did advances in technology open the way for world?
they took advantage of innovations in sailing technolgy that allowed ships such as the caravel to sail against the wind.
What invention allowed ships to sail into the wind?
Wut made ships sail in the wind was that using a persicet sail or flag will pick up the wind and will push the air out and sail..just like u swinging on a swing 
How does a boat sail into the wind?
A boat can sail into the wind by sailing backwards and forwards (tacking) at an angle to the wind and so making her way up.
True or false the Chinese developed a way to move the sails of ships that allowed ships to sail into the wind for the first time?
It is not possible to sail directly INTO the wind. Forty-five degrees is about as close as can be gained. Actually they did get the ships to sail into the wind. The above answer is wrong.
What powered Da Gamas ships?
Vasco Da Gama's ship was powered by the wind, it was a sailing boat.
How does a boat sail against the wind?
To sail against the wind, a boat has to 'tack'. This means that instead of sailing straight into the wind (which would get you nowhere) you sail in a zig-zag in the direction you intend to go. On each tack, the wind is on a different side of the sail.
How Does a Boat Sail Upwind?
A sailing boat can not sail directly upwind, sail at about 45 degrees to the wind and tack (turn the boat through the wind) to the other side of the wind and continue in this zig-zag manner up wind.
