We are disagreeing about fundamental behaviour characteristics of sailboats.
It has extended beyond our discussion of how to deal with a spinnaker into a
situation where we disagree on what is within and without the realm of
possibility. So, as competitive men are wont to do, we are trying to settle
it. So, do you have an opinion, or you going to Zen master me into a
frenzy?


"Nav" wrote in message
...
But why ask about such a foolish act grasshopper?

Cheers


Blorgad wrote:

Please read the letter again. The question is not how do we fly a
spinnaker
while moored, but rather is it at all possible for a bow-moored boat to
be
be turned around by a spinnaker, or any other combination of sails for
that
matter, so that the aft end travels upwind?


"Nav" wrote in message
...

What not transfer your anchor warp to the stern?

Cheers

Blorgad wrote:


My friend and I are having a disagreement regarding the behaviour of
sailboats on a mooring. We both have limited sailing experience,

although he

has a fair amount more than I. We were discussing running up a

spinnaker at

mooring in calm air, just to practice putting it up. We eventually
concluded that this wasn't practical, but the argument came in as to
our

our

different conclusions as to why it would not be. I felt that there

would be

no point to put it up, as it would just get blown into the rigging and

not

really tell us anything and possibly get torn. He was of the opinion

that

somehow the spinnaker could push the boat to one side, fill and turn

the

boat around. Initially he said it would go right upwind of the
mooring,
then reduced his claim to say that it would turn around at the point

where

it was attached to the line at the bow.

I am of the opinion that this is physically impossible and that under
no
combination of sail at a mooring could the boat turn around so that the

aft

was upwind. I am of the opinion that you could get the boat to swing
to

one

side or the other a bit by backing the jib, but you could still never

turn

the boat around.

I would gratefully accept as many informed opinions as possible on this

from

a sailing or physics point of view.

Fair winds,
Miles