On 23 Aug 2004 12:04:28 GMT, William R. Watt wrote:

Morgan Ohlson ) writes:
How should the sail "power center" (excuse vocabulary) be located compared
to the keel center. In front of, or behind?

To be able to sail high against the wind... what is most important?

On a dingy the centre of effort should be above the centre of lateral
resistance. I'd get some books on designing and building small sailboats
out of the public library and read up on the subject. You might also
seaarch the Internet on "dingy cruising".

In practise, doesn't the real center of effort move depending on how well
the captain stears?

....and should the theoretical center of effort (side view) the be exactly
above centre of lateral resistance or slightly behind or in front?

Does a jib sail improve sailing up against the wind?

Morgan O.