Is it the apparent wind created by forward momentum? Is it possible to go downwind faster than the wind speed?
In: 315
Sailing is not about being pushed by the wind, it’s about exploiting the difference in velocity between the air and the water.
The sail and keel are a wedge between air and water. As the air pushes, it “squirts” the vessel in a direction in much the same way something slippery squirts out of your hand. The speed of that ejection can be higher than the speed of your fingers.
Yes, it is possible to go downwind faster than the wind, as Veritasium [demonstrated on land here](https://youtu.be/jyQwgBAaBag)
Latest Answers