Lying beam to

[Interim]

We boat on a 3000 acre inland lake. No current, and no tide.

One of our pastimes is to sail upwind, drop the sails, and let the wind carry us to the other end.

If I am not trying to steer downwind, the boat will turn beam to the wind. I would think the wind would prefer to run the length of the boat, rather than hit it broadside. If the bow or the stern provides a bigger surface to the wind, I would expect it to turn either bow or stern to.

Obviously I'm wrong. Can anyone explain this?

--john

[darrenj]

Have you tried different configurations of Keel up\down and rudder up\down?

[Chinook]

I can't explain the physics, but any boat, if adrift out in the wind and seas, will lie abeam of the oncoming swell. It's normal, and can only be counteracted by letting a drogue or sea anchor out from the bow, which will keep the bow pointed into the swell. Heaving to, which involves backwinding the jib and having the main and jib counteracting each other, will allow you to hold position into the wind and swell with just a slow sideways movement. It's a time tested storm strategy, which I've never actually tried to do in the Mac.

[kadet]

I have been on large shark cats that drift stern on. My now with solar panel and Bimini up drifts more at a 30 degree angle with the rudders locked straight. There are so many factors that affect drift that it is really a lot of trial and error.

[kmclemore]

Heaving to, which involves backwinding the jib and having the main and jib counteracting each other, will allow you to hold position into the wind and swell with just a slow sideways movement. It's a time tested storm strategy, which I've never actually tried to do in the Mac.

I've tried it, and it works but requires some tweaking depending on the size and configuration of the boat. One item you probably forgot to mention is that you need to move the helm (rudder) to the same direction as the jib (i.e., if the jib has been hauled to port, the rudder should be also turned to make the boat head to port). The tweaking comes in via adjusting how much helm you give it... some boats require just a bit while others require full-stop.

[Ixneigh]

Boat sails sideways nearly as fast as end on and with less attention. Who cares why. Just enjoy it

[Jonair222]

Occasionally my boat sails itself

[dlandersson]

Occasionally?

Occasionally my boat sails itself

[Interim]

I've hove to in the Mac. I tend to lash the tiller in place just so I don't get surprises. I have a 17' dinghy that also requires a little adjusting of the main to set a limit on how far it will fall off the wind. Just a matter of feel, I guess.

Thanks for the replies.

--john

[yukonbob]

This has to do with high and low pressure created on each respective side of the hull.

[budgates]

This has to do with high and low pressure created on each respective side of the hull.

this is exactly right.

(an over simplified explanation)
As the wind strikes the end of the boat that is closest to the wind it creates low pressure eddies on the leeward side of the same end turning that end of the boat away from the wind. Once the boat is lying beam to the wind the low pressure eddies equalize keeping the boat in that position.

[kadet]

This has to do with high and low pressure created on each respective side of the hull.

this is exactly right.

(an over simplified explanation)
As the wind strikes the end of the boat that is closest to the wind it creates low pressure eddies on the leeward side of the same end turning that end of the boat away from the wind. Once the boat is lying beam to the wind the low pressure eddies equalize keeping the boat in that position.

Why does a wind vane point into the wind

[Rumdirty]

Why does a wind vane point into the wind

To get to the other side?

[budgates]

This has to do with high and low pressure created on each respective side of the hull.

this is exactly right.

(an over simplified explanation)
As the wind strikes the end of the boat that is closest to the wind it creates low pressure eddies on the leeward side of the same end turning that end of the boat away from the wind. Once the boat is lying beam to the wind the low pressure eddies equalize keeping the boat in that position.

Why does a wind vane point into the wind

I'll go on the assumption that you're being serious and actually try to answer your question. There are several types of wind vanes but they all work on the principle of having a vertical tail that is pushed by the wind more than the rest of it. Some will have a tail that is larger than the front. Some will have a tail that is vertical (receiving maximum wind force) with a pointer that is horizontal (minimum wind force). Some will have the tail farther from the fulcrum (the point where the wind vane pivots) giving it mechanical advantage. All are methods of producing the same effect.

[Catigale]

Why does a wind vane point into the wind

To get to the other side?

The same reason the hen-way crossed the rode....Shirley