Table of Contents
- 1 Why are triangular sails better than square?
- 2 What does it mean to square a sail?
- 3 Can square sails sail upwind?
- 4 Why did old ships have so many sails?
- 5 Can you reef a lateen sail?
- 6 What is the advantage of a lateen sail?
- 7 Can a square-rigged ship tack?
- 8 What are the features of a square sail?
- 9 How did the square rig sail get its name?
- 10 What makes up a sail plan on a boat?
Why are triangular sails better than square?
Although a lateen sail is more difficult to tack with than the Marconi- or gaff rigs, it has a better aspect ratio than the square rig. Thus, the Spaniards often re-rigged their vessels when they ventured out of the Mediterranean into the Atlantic, where the winds are constant and a square rig had the advantage.
What does it mean to square a sail?
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. The term to square a yard is used when sailing a square-rigged ship. To “square a yard” is to lay the yards at right angles to the line of the keel by trimming with the braces.
What advantage does a triangular lateen sail have compared to a traditional square sail?
The sail, its free corner secured near the stern, was capable of taking the wind on either side, and, by enabling the vessel to tack into the wind, the lateen immensely increased the potential of the sailing ship.
Can square sails sail upwind?
The opposite maneuver to tacking is called jibing, or wearing on square-rigged ships, that is, turning the stern through the wind. No sailing vessel can move directly upwind, though that may be the desired direction, making this an essential maneuver of a sailing ship.
Why did old ships have so many sails?
Larger sails necessitated hiring, and paying, a larger crew. Additionally, the great size of some late-19th and 20th century vessels meant that their correspondingly large sails would have been impossible to handle had they not been divided.
How do square sails work?
The sails were attached, or “bent,” to long horizontal spars of wood called “yards” suspended above the deck through a complex system of ropes. A square-rigged vessel could only sail approximately sixty degrees into the wind, and so often used a shallow zig-zag pattern to reach their destination.
Can you reef a lateen sail?
All that is required to reef is to tie up the foot and lower the yard. A lot of lateen sails are loose footed. All that is required to reef is to tie up the foot and lower the yard. Modern oceanic lateens seem to just use reef points radiating out from the foot.
What is the advantage of a lateen sail?
The advantages of the lateen sail is that it is effective in lighter winds. It causes less drag and so is more efficient. It allows the vessel to sail much “closer to the wind” (meaning it can sail at up to about 45 degrees into the wind).
Why are square sails bad?
The low aspect ratio of square-rigged sails (usually 1⁄2 to 1⁄3) produces much drag for the lift (motive power) produced, so they have poor performance to windward compared to modern yachts, and they cannot sail as close to the wind.
Can a square-rigged ship tack?
Because the masts are braced from behind, that enormous pressure has the potential to snap a mast. In strong winds and heavy seas, therefore, when tacking could be dangerous, a square-rigger is put on the opposite tack by turning her away from the wind through 240°, effectively gybing her.
What are the features of a square sail?
Square sail, simplest form of rigging and the most ancient. The sails are attached to yards (crossbars) that are hung at their centres from the mast, and there are as many as five yards, one above the other. The characteristic of the square sail, apart from its shape, is that it always presents the same face to the wind,…
How is a square sail attached to the mast?
The sails are attached to yards (crossbars) that are hung at their centres from the mast, and there are as many as five yards, one above the other. The characteristic of the square sail, apart from its shape, is that it always presents the same face to the wind, though the yard may pivot considerably about the mast.
How did the square rig sail get its name?
This sail is a rectangle slightly wider than it is tall. (Square rig sails came in many shapes and were only occasionally square; the name comes from the sail being hung perpendicular—square—to the mast.)
What makes up a sail plan on a boat?
A sail plan is made up of: 1 Mast configuration – refers to the number of masts and where they are placed 2 Sail type – refers to the sail shape and functionality 3 Rig type – refers to the way these sails are set up on your boat