Thom,

You are being overly simplistic. Since sails are not rectangles the chord is not
a fixed quantity. The chord can be viewed as an average at best.

For example, it the foot of the sail is ten feet and the luff of the sail is 30 feet
then one could say the aspect ratio is 3:1. However since the sail is not a rectangle
this aspect ratio does not give the complete picture. There is a different aspect ratio
depending on where the chord measurement is taken along the luff and leech of the sail.

But, putting all this aside, a sail with a foot of ten feet will have a lower aspect
ratio than a sail with a foot of eight feet given the luff of both sails is the same
and each has approximately the same roach.

It is clear to me that you don't understand what chord means. It has nothing to
do with the depth of the sail. It has to do with the width of the sail.

I hope this helps.

CN


"Thom Stewart" wrote in message ...
Wow Neal,

You've got 3 threads going. Which one do you want to use to prove I'm
STUPID?

Since you agreed to what Aspect Ratio was in "Wild Ride" although you
referred to height and base, in one of the treads as Sail Aspect Ratio.

Aspect Ratio
Do we agree that the deeper the Chord the Higher the Aspect Ratio? This
is important because if you do, high aspect sails aren't faster, they
are slower.

They are more powerful. That is they will DRAW when the wind is light.
Similar to 1st gear on a transmission, but need to be flat (Low Aspect)
for high speeds.

Think about that for awhile, before we continue on about Sail Aspect
Ratio.

Ole Thom