OK then, this is the points of sail to beginners talk! Read the links as you go for detail.
So.
HOW SAILING WORKS
Sails work as aerofoils, essentially. Therefore directions available to a ship under sail are dictated by the wind direction, because you have to angle the ship in order to fill the sail, and different angles achieve different effects. These are your points of sail.
This dictates how close you can get to facing into the wind without the boat going into irons. This is when the sails empty, the ship slows, stops or starts going backwards. Your warning is when the sail edges start to flap - this is luffing.
Now you have a 40-80 degree zone in which the ship cannot sail. Modern racer dinghies and yachts (Bermuda rig ) can get up to about 40 degrees, gaff rig like junks can't et quite as close, a square rig like the video can only get 80 or less.
The helm is both the rudder/tiller and the person(s) controlling it. This controls everything else about the ship. Pilots are a different breed entirely - they are experts on certain areas, who will either come on board to guide the helm through tricky waters or remain on a pilot boat to lead another ship through the correct path. I think this is your point of confusion - two different people, two different functions.
Now, the helm's entire job is to get the ship going in the direction he wants, as fast as he can get her to go. The rudder and sails interplay - you need to adjust the sails to keep the full and this may mean tightening/releasing or slightly changing the tiller direction.
In strong winds you need to reduce sail - by reefing (reducing sail area) or setting smaller sails. In light winds you need to increas sail area, by loosening sails and setting extra ones. Some sails will be furled completely to allow other sails to be set at different points of sail, especially on square rigged ships.
HOW RIGGING WORKS
The three main types of rig are worked in different ways. Bermuda rigging is triangular with the sail attached along mast and boom. Depending on the type, the sails will be reefed by wrapping it around the boom or mast. To take the sail in completely it will be dropped to deck or furled around the boom or mast.
Gaff rigging is four-pointed and the sail is suspended from the spar, attached along mast and boom. These are usually reefed and furled by furling along the boom or using reef point ties to reduce sail area.
Square rigging is also four pointed and suspended on a yardarm from the yards (masts). They can be furled and reefed in a number of ways depending on the ship in question. They can be taken down completely (with or without the yardarm), reefed by reef points or replaced with smaller sails. Square rigs have much more sail flexibility because of the size and crew number of these ships.
Sails are always reefed or furled in the most convenient way - most yachts and dinghies reef and furl around the mast and boom because these are easily done afloat. Gaff rigs tie off because that's the easiest bit to reach afloat. Square rigs have more interchangeable sails and can be reefed and furled around the yardarm from above because the masts and yards can be climbed.
And I think I might have killed the comment function, so ask away about specifics, keeping in mind that I've mostly sailed bermuda rig (and an elderly, cranky gaff rig oh my god disaster).
no subject
Date: 3 Dec 2012 09:40 pm (UTC)So.
HOW SAILING WORKS
Sails work as aerofoils, essentially.
Therefore directions available to a ship under sail are dictated by the wind direction, because you have to angle the ship in order to fill the sail, and different angles achieve different effects. These are your points of sail.
This dictates how close you can get to facing into the wind without the boat going into irons. This is when the sails empty, the ship slows, stops or starts going backwards. Your warning is when the sail edges start to flap - this is luffing.
Now you have a 40-80 degree zone in which the ship cannot sail. Modern racer dinghies and yachts (Bermuda rig ) can get up to about 40 degrees, gaff rig like junks can't et quite as close, a square rig like the video can only get 80 or less.
The helm is both the rudder/tiller and the person(s) controlling it. This controls everything else about the ship. Pilots are a different breed entirely - they are experts on certain areas, who will either come on board to guide the helm through tricky waters or remain on a pilot boat to lead another ship through the correct path. I think this is your point of confusion - two different people, two different functions.
Now, the helm's entire job is to get the ship going in the direction he wants, as fast as he can get her to go.
The rudder and sails interplay - you need to adjust the sails to keep the full and this may mean tightening/releasing or slightly changing the tiller direction.
In strong winds you need to reduce sail - by reefing (reducing sail area) or setting smaller sails. In light winds you need to increas sail area, by loosening sails and setting extra ones. Some sails will be furled completely to allow other sails to be set at different points of sail, especially on square rigged ships.
HOW RIGGING WORKS
The three main types of rig are worked in different ways.
Bermuda rigging is triangular with the sail attached along mast and boom. Depending on the type, the sails will be reefed by wrapping it around the boom or mast. To take the sail in completely it will be dropped to deck or furled around the boom or mast.
Gaff rigging is four-pointed and the sail is suspended from the spar, attached along mast and boom. These are usually reefed and furled by furling along the boom or using reef point ties to reduce sail area.
Square rigging is also four pointed and suspended on a yardarm from the yards (masts). They can be furled and reefed in a number of ways depending on the ship in question. They can be taken down completely (with or without the yardarm), reefed by reef points or replaced with smaller sails. Square rigs have much more sail flexibility because of the size and crew number of these ships.
Sails are always reefed or furled in the most convenient way - most yachts and dinghies reef and furl around the mast and boom because these are easily done afloat. Gaff rigs tie off because that's the easiest bit to reach afloat. Square rigs have more interchangeable sails and can be reefed and furled around the yardarm from above because the masts and yards can be climbed.
And I think I might have killed the comment function, so ask away about specifics, keeping in mind that I've mostly sailed bermuda rig (and an elderly, cranky gaff rig oh my god disaster).