Abcs Of Key West Sail And Snorkel

By Mayra Pierce


A veil is a piece of fabric, which can vary in size from a few square meters to several hundred square meters, which, thanks to wind, is used to move a vessel. Sails are used on sailboats, windsurfers, but also on land vehicles (Key West sail and snorkel). A veil is mainly characterized by its shape, weight, and (s) material (s) which it is composed.

The three angles of sails (a triangular sails) have a specific name: The head point is the angle at the top of web once hoisted it: this is where the halyard is hit. The tack denotes the angle attached tofixed point of boat: when sails is in position, the tack is on the front of boat. The clew refers to angle of sails which was struck listening (jib) or near which rose listening (mainsails)

During the development sailing ships (seventeenth century-nineteenth century) the increase in ship size has greatly increased the height of masts, and it has increased the number of square sails on each mast (we had 7 floors up) so that they remain cargables (foldable) with an acceptable number sailors. On the long downwind, captains clippers were sometimes added to outside extensions yards to wear veils called studding that allowed to win a little bit of speed. This delicate and risky operation was feared because of topmen the fall was the promise of certain death by drowning, the vessel being unable to turn around to come and look.

The force exerted by wind on sails is roughly perpendicular to chord of sails plan. The component of force which is parallel to axis of vessel is the propulsive force. The other component, perpendicular to axis of vessel tends to cause it to drift, but can also cause property (band) (the ship leans on its side), and can dangerously compromise its balance or capsize.

It was during the first half of twentieth century disappears little by little the veil, especially with the end of tall ships at a premium, one of most successful for the size and speed generations, whose Belem is a survivor, unlike the Duchesse Anne reflecting a generation of great vessels school that bygone period.

If the boat downwind, speed tends to reduce the apparent wind. Thus, contrary to intuition, this rate is not faster because it is not possible to go faster than the true wind. The fastest way to get to a point downwind way is then sometimes tacking in a direction slightly away from the axis of wind (broad reach), which increases the apparent wind. Downwind, the wind on sails tends to push the front of boat.

This can be dangerous, especially on multihulls and cause charging. The hull downwind then abruptly plunges underwater. The resulting violent downturn may capsize the boat on the front (power). At high speed, this speed requires sustained attention of crew.

It is found in the early twentieth century in, in northern Brittany, in particular the number of cutters fishing inBay of Morlaix; ex. Joan of Arc, launched in 1909. The advantage of this simple to implement rig is a certain lightness, excellent performance of near-like while maintaining a large area of canvas suitable for speed (first come port obtained the highest price for their catch, fresh issue as well).




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