Lateen Sails
The caravels allowed them to sail closer to the wind than their predecessors.
Not directly but closer to the wind than previous vessels.
is called a stern rudder i looked every word up on my paper and found it
Triangular sails, known as lateen sails, helped European sailors by allowing for more efficient navigation against the wind. Their shape enabled ships to sail at an angle to the wind, enhancing maneuverability and speed. This innovation facilitated longer voyages and exploration, contributing significantly to maritime trade and the Age of Discovery. Additionally, the ability to tack and sail upwind improved overall sailing performance.
Because albatrosses depend on the wind to fly and sailors depend on the wind to sail, the albatross became a good omen to sailors. The albatross features in a poem about what happened to a sailor when he killed an albatross. The poem is called 'The Rime of the Ancient Mariner'.
People built wind mills as a way to provide energy to grind flour. Sailors used wind to sail across the oceans.
Wind
A sail is used to harness the wind's energy to propel a boat or ship through water. It is typically made of fabric and is attached to a mast, allowing it to catch the wind and create lift, much like an airplane wing. By adjusting the angle of the sail, sailors can navigate in various directions, making it an essential component of sailing vessels.
The fastest point of sail is typically downwind with the wind directly behind the boat, known as sailing "dead downwind." To optimize speed in this position, sailors can use techniques such as adjusting sail trim, using spinnaker sails, and steering a straight course to catch the most wind and maximize boat speed.
You cannot sail with the wind opposite you. If the wind is following you, that is, directly astern, then you sail 'gull winged'.
The lateen sail was developed in the Mediterranean region, particularly among Arab sailors around the 2nd century AD. It became prominent in the maritime practices of Mediterranean cultures and was later adopted by European sailors during the Middle Ages. The triangular shape of the lateen sail allowed for better maneuverability and sailing against the wind, significantly enhancing maritime navigation and trade.
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.