math of sailing

[jst04004]

I am a first year math grad student and need to start thinking about a thesis project. As a very amateur sailing enthusiast (i.e. no regular access to boats), I have limited insight into sailing theory and problems. Just looking for a little bit of inspiration from those of you who frequent the water. Is there anything about your boating experience you sometimes wonder about, or some sailor's intuition topics you would like to see proven/or disproven to brag to your friends "I told ya so!"?

[smackdaddy]

Go take a look at the "Heavy Weather Sailing" thread in Seamanship. There's some great discussions surrounding hydrodynamics, etc. Lots of math in sailing. It's pretty cool.

And if you're into biology/chemistry, don't forget the "Cruising with a Ham" thread.

BTW - weclome to SN dude. You'll like the place.

[dylanwinter1]

does it exist - if it does- how powerful is it

Dylan

[bubb2]

This is a topic close to my heart. I grew up in Indiana. Half my graduating class went on to Purdue U. One in particular graduated with a masters in Aeronautical Engineering. I mean Gus Grission ( who was a Purdue grad.) and stuff.

I read a paper he wrote about how it's easier to fly than sail. Because a plane only has Aero dynamics to worry about and a sailboat has both Aero dynamics and hydro dynamics to worry about.

He did not explain why we have been sailing for 2000+ years and flying for a 100.

[dylanwinter1]

most good sailors I know are engineers or physists - I know that I love imagining the forces involved in creating motion from two fluids

and above you are the invisible forces of the wind creating power

bloody brilliant sailing I reckon

Dylan

[jackdale]

Another possibility.

In virtually all sailing courses lee/weather helm is taught is being a factor of the relationship between the combined centre of effort of the sails and the the centre of lateral resistance. I have sense that the heel angle also contributes to weather as the leeward waterline is longer that the windward waterline. This may explain why racers reduce their foresail, rather than reefing the mainsail.

[dylanwinter1]

if they are so darned good why do no racing boats have them

two plates should be better than one

Dylan

[soulfinger]

Physics is math with a purpose. This should get your juices flowing, or numbers crunching or insert your favorite colorful metaphor:

The physics of sailing

[sailingdog]

Two keels = more wetted surface area = more drag. Drag is the enemy of sailboat performance.

Originally Posted by dylanwinter1

if they are so darned good why do no racing boats have them

two plates should be better than one

Dylan

[albartsch]

Celestial navigation uses more math than anything else I've done in sailing.

Someone told me that stability is proportional to the 4th power of the waterline length. I may have that wrong, but big boats do seem more comfortable.