My question defines an area bounded by for sides, a quadrangle, I
suppose I should said "plane geometric shape" rather than "triangle",
sorry for the confusion.


Walt wrote:
OK. If you mean "polygon" please say "polygon".


Isn't a triangle a polygon?

Anyway, what is the point in using plane geometry to analyse
sails? They are not flat.

One way to maximize sail area would be to make the sails
more spherical, with boundaries defined by the limits of the
above-mentioned polygon.

DSK

DSK wrote:

My question defines an area bounded by for sides, a quadrangle, I
suppose I should said "plane geometric shape" rather than "triangle",
sorry for the confusion.

Walt wrote:

OK. If you mean "polygon" please say "polygon".

Isn't a triangle a polygon?

Yes it is.

Anyway, what is the point in using plane geometry to analyse sails? They
are not flat.

Bingo. We've got a winner. Sails aren't triangles. Or Quadralaterals.
Or any other object from plane geometry.

One way to maximize sail area would be to make the sails more spherical,
with boundaries defined by the limits of the above-mentioned polygon.

Cool. Then you could make them out of leather from your spherical cow.

//Walt

DSK wrote:

Now why would you not want a sail that hoists to the black band?


A DUCK!!

So this is the black band you've been talking about.

http://www.thom.org/gallery/animals/duck/

"Martin Baxter" wrote in message
...


Did you confirm this with a licensed rocket surgeon?

Indeed, Dr. Who no less, he offered to put a new black
band on Bob's
boat with his sonic screwdriver!


Ha ha, before last Friday, I wouldn't have known what you
were talking about.

SBV

Walt wrote:

DSK wrote:

My question defines an area bounded by for sides, a quadrangle, I
suppose I should said "plane geometric shape" rather than "triangle",
sorry for the confusion.

Walt wrote:

OK. If you mean "polygon" please say "polygon".

Isn't a triangle a polygon?

Yes it is.

Anyway, what is the point in using plane geometry to analyse sails? They
are not flat.

Bingo. We've got a winner. Sails aren't triangles. Or Quadralaterals.
Or any other object from plane geometry.


Jumpin' Jiminy, let's see if get a bit more sophomoric! It was merely an
approximation meant to illustrate the thought that if you start with
sail that fits the mast/boat combination correctly, and comes close to
but does not touch the backstay when tacking/jybing, a sail with a
shorter luff that fits the rest of the criteria will have LESS area.

Cheers
Marty

Martin Baxter wrote:
Jumpin' Jiminy, let's see if get a bit more sophomoric!

OK, you go first


.... It was merely an
approximation meant to illustrate the thought that if you start with
sail that fits the mast/boat combination correctly, and comes close to
but does not touch the backstay when tacking/jybing, a sail with a
shorter luff that fits the rest of the criteria will have LESS area.


Less is more.

Ignorance is strength.

DSK

Scotty wrote:
Ha ha, before last Friday, I wouldn't have known what you
were talking about.


What happened last Friday?

DSK

"DSK" wrote in message
. ..
Scotty wrote:
Ha ha, before last Friday, I wouldn't have known what
you
were talking about.


What happened last Friday?


I'm sworn to secrecy.

SBV