For a boat to be balanced, the "push" from the sails (Center of Effort) must align correctly with the "pivot" of the keel (Center of Lateral Resistance).
This is the wind the boat actually "feels." It is a combination of the (what you feel standing still) and the Induced Wind (created by the boat’s own movement). Physics of Sailing
High-performance boats (like America's Cup foiling yachts) go so fast they create their own gale-force winds, allowing them to sail much faster than the actual true wind speed. 4. The Center of Effort vs. Center of Lateral Resistance For a boat to be balanced, the "push"
If it’s too far forward, the boat will turn from the wind (lee helm). 5. Why You Can’t Sail Directly Upwind For a boat to be balanced
For a boat to be balanced, the "push" from the sails (Center of Effort) must align correctly with the "pivot" of the keel (Center of Lateral Resistance).
This is the wind the boat actually "feels." It is a combination of the (what you feel standing still) and the Induced Wind (created by the boat’s own movement).
High-performance boats (like America's Cup foiling yachts) go so fast they create their own gale-force winds, allowing them to sail much faster than the actual true wind speed. 4. The Center of Effort vs. Center of Lateral Resistance
If it’s too far forward, the boat will turn from the wind (lee helm). 5. Why You Can’t Sail Directly Upwind