Wind Direction

[pixurman]

This won''t be much of a descussion. If wind is reported as South at 5 Knots. Is that wind FROM the south or TO the south?

Thanks,Phil

[SailorMitch]

Phil,

Ah yes, wind. The answer to your question is FROM. Just remember that all things sailing begin and end with the wind. For example, how do you tell if are you on starboard or port tack?

Answer: Which side of the boat is the wind hitting first? If it''s the port side, then port tack. Anyway, it''s amazing how many newbies to sailing (and we all were at one time) get on a boat and have no idea where the wind is coming from. It''s a fun learning experience though.

[paulk]

Wind is from, current (as in a Northerly Current) is to. Confusin'', ain''t it?

[MaryBeth]

Know it''s been a while on this board, but couldn''t help answering. Of course, the correct answer is, if a southerly wind, the wind is coming from the south.

From many years of delivery, tho, I learned what the word Beneteau means (and don''t get me wrong, I absolutely love these boats). Beneteau is French for "wind on the nose". There have been many people who have asked me, and if I could keep a straight face when I told them that, they would believe it.

Anyway, it is NOT a silly question if you don''t know the answer.

Best of luck,
MaryBeth

[DuaneIsing]

Expanding on SailorMitch''s post:

Yes, the side of the boat the wind hits first will determine if you are on a port or starboard tack, but only most of the time. If the wind is directly astern (not how I prefer to sail, if I can help it), the tack is determined (by convention) as the side opposite where the boom is carried.

Here''s a question: you are on a run with boom out to port (i.e a starboard tack), and you turn slightly to port, but not so much that you jibe. Now you are sailing "by the lee." Are you still on a starboard tack? I would think so, but would appreciate other responses.

Duane

[Jeff_H]

Under the racing rules you are still on the tack oposite to the side of the boat your boom is on. I am not sure that Colregs makes that distinction.

Jeff