Points of Sail...is this right???

NewportNewbie · #1 10-01-2011

Most Points of sail diagrams I have see are like circles and have the wind coming from one direction while the boat moves around it. Thats backwards to me because I want to have the boat pointed in one direction and have the wind move around in relation to the boat. I also want to add the windex on the mast into the equation in relationship to the beam. I wanted to see if there was any correlation between the angle of the windex and the angle of the beam, a quick way to determine the reach. I am very good at close hauled, seems to be the easiest, its when I am reaching that I am in a not sure zone. So I made this diagram to show the relationship between the wind and the windex and the beam and jib...is this correct?

PaulinVictoria · #2 10-02-2011

Not quite. Your beam reach is actually a close reach, and your broad reach is a beam reach.

NewportNewbie · #3 10-02-2011

really? the diagrams I am looking at don't show a close reach at all...

NewportNewbie · #4 10-02-2011

found another one....yes....I see....its in there...the ones I saw were simplified....

HPLou · #5 10-02-2011

It should be noted on your diagram that the wind direction as shown is the apparent wind direction as it relates to the same angle as the windex. The true wind direction would usually be at a slightly different angle than the apparent wind direction. In other words, the apparent wind direction would be the resultant vector of the true wind direction and the boat direction.

SHNOOL · #6 10-02-2011

Note also some others will replace "beam reach" with just "reach."

Take special note of HPLou's reference to "apparent wind." Apparent wind can make or break a sailor. Knowing true wind direction, and apparent wind direction (which is the direction wind "appears" to come from due to your own velocity moving forward), can help you determine the "best line to a mark."

In light wind any forward momentum you have while entering a wind shadow can cause you to chase your windex around a circle. Also using ApWind technique you can keep your sails filled and "point higher" while coasting through a wind shadow. All depends on that Apparent Wind direction.

Tempest · #7 10-02-2011

Newport,

If you tie some wool tell tales on your shrouds port and starboard the middle one maybe; it will help you see the apparent wind angle.

Close hauled your tell tale will be pointing toward the leech of the mainsail,
Close reach it will point more toward the center of the mainsail ,
Beam reach it will point to the mast,
Broad reach it will point to the Jib/genoa.
Run will be pointing toward the bow

This is pretty simplistic, but I have found that it helps when I try to explain points of sail.