Most of us would agree that the safest place for a boat to ride out a storm is at its beam ends. But why does this happen? What causes boats to drift towards the wind?
The tendency of a boat to lie at its beam ends depends on several factors. These include the length of the hull, the angle of the bow, the amount of sail area, the shape of the keel, the type of rigging, and the speed of the boat.
Boats tend to lie at their beam ends because they are designed to ride low in the water. This makes them less likely to catch waves or get swamped. The longer the boat’s hull, the more it will lean over when sailing downwind. A boat with a long hull can also be steered by leaning into the wind. If you have ever sailed a catboat, you know how much easier it is to steer one than a traditional sailboat. Catboats are built so that they can be steered from either side. They have no centerboard, which means there is nothing to push up against the bottom of the boat. Instead, they use the weight of the boat itself as a rudder. In other words, if you want to turn your catboat to port, you simply need to shift your weight to that side.
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7 Factors That Influence The Tendency of a Safety Boat
1. The angle of the Bow
As mentioned above, the longer the hull, the more it leans over. This means that the top of the boat tends to be higher than the bottom. When the boat is sailing downwind, the stern end of the boat tends to rise up out of the water first. Because the stern is higher, it has more surface area exposed to the wind. As a result, the stern tends to move faster than the bow. The bow of the boat is still moving forward, but not nearly as fast as the stern. This creates an imbalance between the two parts of the boat. The bow tends to lag behind the stern, causing the boat to start drifting towards the wind.
2. Amount of Sail Area
Sail area affects the rate of acceleration of a boat. More sail area increases the rate of acceleration. So, if you increase the size of the sails, you should expect the boat to accelerate faster. However, increasing the size of the sails also increases drag. Drag slows the boat down. Therefore, you must balance the effects of increased sail area against the effects of increased drag.
3. Keel Shape
A keel is a flat piece of metal that runs along the bottom of the boat from stem to stern. It helps keep the boat stable by providing resistance to any movement sideways. Keels come in different shapes. Some are straight, while others curve around the sides of the boat. Curved keels make it harder for waves to hit the underside of the boat. Since waves bounce off the curved edges of the keel, they don’t cause the boat to roll over. Straight keels work better on smooth waters. They provide good stability, but they allow waves to hit the underside easily.
4. Rigging Type
Rigging refers to the way the sails attach to the mast. There are three basic types:
- Jibs – Jibs are used for smaller boats. They are attached directly to the mast.
- Mainsails – Mainsails are used on larger boats. They are attached to the mast using shrouds and stays.
- Genoa Sails – Genoa sails are used on yachts and large cruising vessels. They are attached to a boom that extends out from the back of the boat.
5. Mast Height
The height of the mast determines the amount of lift generated by the sails. Higher masts produce more lift. However, high masts are difficult to handle. If the mast is too tall, it may interfere with the steering mechanism. Also, high masts are hard to store when traveling.
6. Mast Length
Longer masts generate more lift. Longer masts are easier to handle. On small boats, this isn’t usually an issue. But on larger boats, the length of the mast becomes important. On some boats, the mast needs to extend all the way across the deck. This allows the crew to walk under the mast without getting wet. Longer masts also make it easier to store the mast when traveling.
7. Number of Mast Steps
There are many ways to adjust the height of a mast. One method is to use steps. A step consists of one or more sections of the mast that can be raised or lowered independently. For example, a mast could have four steps. Each step would be about 2 feet long. You could raise each section of the mast separately. Or, you could raise them together. Raising the mast together makes it easier to control.
Conclusion
You need to consider several factors when choosing a safety boat. These include the type of rigging, the shape of the keel, the number of mast steps, and the size of the sails. Once you’ve chosen your safety boat, you’ll need to decide how much weight you want to carry. Then, you’ll need to choose a hull design that will accommodate the weight. Finally, you’ll need to select a manufacturer who has experience building safe boats.
