Sea state and wave forecasting
The performance of a sailing boat is affected by the presence of surface waves. To understand how the waves influence the boat's performance, we need …
Wind
Wind-generated sea waves
Wind-generated waves occur when the wind blows over the surface of the sea. They are divided into gravity waves (wind sea, and swell) and capillary wa…
Wave spectral density (calculation)
The performance of a sailing boat is affected by the presence of surface waves. To understand the boat’s behavior under waves, it is necessary first…
Wind triangle
The wind experienced by a fixed observer (true wind) is not the same wind an observer on a moving yacht will feel (apparent wind). The wind triangle h…
Points of sail
The points of sail refer to the course a boat is sailing in relation to the wind. They are defined in reference to the wind angle, which is the angle …
The air-water interface
Water and air are two different fluids that enter into contact at the ocean's surface at what is called the air-water interface. This interface plays …
Surface waves
Surface waves are created by disturbance forces applied to a specific area. It can be either the wind, a surface vessel moving through the water, an e…