CHAPTER 2 WIND, WEATHER, TIDES AND CURRENTS
EReading Wind on the Water EWind Velocity E Lifts and Headers E True and Apparent Wind EWeather E Tides and Currents
In beginning sailing you learned how to sail upwind and downwind, tack, jibe and reach. All of that was in the context of a single, unwavering wind direction. Once out on the water you noticed that the wind actually changes in both velocity and direction. Learning how to anticipate those changes allows you to become a better sailor. You will sail faster, make better sail adjustments, improve the course you are sailing, enjoy sailing more and maybe even impress your friends! The following chapter identifies a variety of methods for anticipating changes in the wind, weather, tides and currents.
TIP
EYou can practice reading wind on the water by standing on a fixed dock or stationary boat while you watch puffs travel across the water’s surface.
E Remember these useful equations:
1 knot = 1.1 MPH 10 knots = 11 MPH
READING WIND ON THE WATER
Reading wind on the water is somewhat like looking into the future. Since ripples and waves are a function of wind, understanding how the wind causes waves and ripples clues you in to both wind direction and velocity.
Wind has friction with the surface of the water, which creates waves and ripples; the stronger the wind, the bigger the waves and ripples. With practice you can determine the true wind direction, as well as see increases and decreases in wind speed. Water reading gives a sailor data on a short-term basis. It is not difficult to realize the advantage of knowing whether the wind ahead is going to change in velocity or direction.
WIND VELOCITY Wind velocity is the speed of the wind. Generally, this is measured in either miles per hour (mph) or nautical miles per hour (knots). The velocity of wind is constantly changing. We call patches of decreased velocity a lull and increased velocity a puff. You can determine lulls and puffs by looking at the various colors and textures of the water. The water’s surface will have more pronounced ripples and darker colors in the puffs, and less pronounced ripples and lighter colors in lulls. Learning to anticipate these changes in wind velocity is important to promote boat speed through sail trim, boat heel and boat handling.
8
Table of Contents
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65
