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A wind transducer is a device used by sailors to receive a real-time measurement of wind speed and direction. [1] [2] A wind transducer is usually mounted on the masthead of a sailing boat and is occasionally used by power boats too. The wind speed and direction measurements are more critical to sailing boats than to power boats.
An apparent wind indicator, as found on sailboat, is a small weather vane or arrow that gives an indication of the current apparent wind direction. This indication allows the skipper to set their sails or their course for best performance, according to the points of sail .
The increased low wind capabilities of optimized, modern devices enable downwind steering down to 1.3 m/s apparent wind and 1.5 kn of boat speed [8] [9] – properties that make an electronic steering device nearly redundant and enable crossing the doldrums under wind vane self-steering. An increasing number of long distance regatta sailors are ...
In the book "Sailing Illustrated", Patrick M. Royce defines weather helm as simply a "heeling sailboat wanting to come head to wind." [5] The principle is the same whether the vessel is steered by tiller or wheel; turning the wheel leeward gives the same rudder effect as pulling a tiller windward.
A wheel with a higher rpm will travel more distance compared to a lower rpm wheel. For example, if a crosswind is coming from the left causing the car to veer right, applying more power to the right axles, will cause the car to rotate left just enough to balance out the wind. [3]
An asymmetric spinnaker is particularly effective on fast planing dinghies and ultra-light displacement boats as their speed generates an apparent wind on the bow allowing them to sail more directly downwind. An asymmetric spinnaker can also be a simpler sail for a cruiser or short-handed sailer than a symmetric one. [7]
Diagram of the steering gear of an 18th- to 19th-century sailing ship [3]: 151 Helm of TS Golden Bear. A ship's wheel is composed of eight cylindrical wooden spokes (though sometimes as few as six or as many as ten or twelve depending on the wheel's size and how much force is needed to turn it.) shaped like balusters and all joined at a central wooden hub or nave (sometimes covered with a ...
Sail components include the features that define a sail's shape and function, plus its constituent parts from which it is manufactured. A sail may be classified in a variety of ways, including by its orientation to the vessel (e.g. fore-and-aft) and its shape, (e.g. (a)symmetrical, triangular, quadrilateral, etc.).