Steps towards an optimal yacht sailplan

Alexander Day

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Much of the existing work carried out in the area of sail optimisation has concentrated on optimising the distribution of aerodynamic lift over the sailplan without specifying how the lift distribution may be achieved in practice. A method is presented here by which the principal dimensions of the rig - luff length, foot length etc. - may be chosen so as to maximise upwind speed for a particular yacht in a given wind strength, within the practical constraints of rig technology.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)155-174
Number of pages20
JournalTransactions of the Royal Institution of Naval Architects
Volume136
Publication statusPublished - 1994

Keywords

  • yacht rig
  • yacht sailplan
  • aerodynamic lift
  • lift distribution

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