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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.
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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
What is a lateen sail?
a trangular sail
A lateen is?
A type of sail
What is a sailboat with a triangular sail called?
It is called the lateen sail.
Where was lateen sail invented?
in polynesia
What is a three sided sail?
A three sided sail is known as a Lateen sail or also a triangular sail. With a four sided sail one is only able to sail against the wind, but with a Lateen sail it is possible to sail more directly into the wind.
What is an example of Lateen Sail?
The Arabs used them
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.
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.
Did caravel ships have a steering wheel or were they only using to sails to turn and if they did was it on the poopdeck or was it inside in a room somewhere?
No the Caravel had a lateen and a square sail and was steered by rudders. The lateen sail aloud it to sail against the wind
What kind of triangular sail was invented in 500 a.d. that allowed ships to sail more into the wind?
a Lateen Sail
