DSK replied:
Wally asked:

Does the concept of 'lift' apply to the fins or other underwater structure
on a sailboat?
....snip...
If so, and if water is non-compressible, then what is its effect and how
does it work?
....snip...
Probably the definitive reference AFAIK is 'The Aero-Hydrodynamics Of Sailing'
by A.J. Marchaj; you can browse the library or second-hand store and come up
with either that or Marchaj's earlier edition titled 'Sailing Theory &
Practice.' It's pretty heavy going unless you've studied at least some college
level physics. Another option is to spend some time browsing the web. Here's
one of my recent faves.
....snip...

I second the recommendation for Marchaj; I recommended him in this ng
once before when Jax was blathering about "vectors." I find _Sailing
Theory and Practice_ more approachable than _The Aero-hydrodynamics of
Sailing_ but if ya wanna be "scientific"...

They're a lot cheaper from the library.

Frank