Yup, the whole function before form, which would logically lead to doing whatever mix and match is needed to get the results you want. I got a basic introduction from K about hull shapes and construction methods, and whatnot, though obviously my new iota of knowledge is probably little more than a nail's weight compared to the tonnage out there to know. (But I did learn about the types of wood used for nails, and weight lines for how much you can fill up a ship, and nifty tidbits, which is exactly the little things you need for a story.)
I just recall that there was something about wind being stronger the higher you go, hence the value of very tall masts with the multiple sails, the stackable sails being easier with square rigging. Erm, I think? But also exponentially more difficult to handle and/or requiring a much larger crew, because there's more moving parts. But as Mr Kraehe pointed out, it's very similar to what I already know from driving cars or riding motorcycles -- that a damn good driver in a lesser car will beat a mediocre driver in a top-notch car, hands down. A highly-skilled crew can do more & get more out of an otherwise unremarkable ship than any mediocre or unskilled crew could do in the bestest speediest design o' ship. While a ship's own design introduces limitations, there's a huge amount of play for the skill and knowledge of the crew itself.
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Date: 7 Nov 2012 05:15 am (UTC)I just recall that there was something about wind being stronger the higher you go, hence the value of very tall masts with the multiple sails, the stackable sails being easier with square rigging. Erm, I think? But also exponentially more difficult to handle and/or requiring a much larger crew, because there's more moving parts. But as Mr Kraehe pointed out, it's very similar to what I already know from driving cars or riding motorcycles -- that a damn good driver in a lesser car will beat a mediocre driver in a top-notch car, hands down. A highly-skilled crew can do more & get more out of an otherwise unremarkable ship than any mediocre or unskilled crew could do in the bestest speediest design o' ship. While a ship's own design introduces limitations, there's a huge amount of play for the skill and knowledge of the crew itself.