Leeway is a term used to describe the sideway motion caused by the wind angle, which results in a boat drifting off course to leeward. It is a bi-product of the wind angle and can be experienced by sailing vessels of all sizes, from small dinghies to large ships. When a sailing boat sails upwind or on a reach, the crew presents the leading edge of the sails (the luff) to the wind direction at an angle that creates an aerodynamic effect.
Leeway is at its maximum when a sailing boat is beating or sailing against the wind, but it can also occur when motoring if the wind is strong enough. Factors that increase leeway include the wind angle.
All vessels, including small dinghies, sailing yachts, motor yachts, and large ships, experience some level of leeway when navigating in the presence of wind. Leeway is the distance a boat drifts off course to leeward due to the sideways force of the wind. It is particularly prevalent when sailing on a close haul or close reach and can be as much as 20 degrees depending on the wind.
Leeway is the amount of drift motion to leeward of an object floating in the water caused by the component of the wind vector that is perpendicular to the ship’s head. The deviation for the course is determined by the leeway track, which is the angle between the boat’s heading and its actual course.
In summary, leeway refers to the distance a boat drifts off course to leeward due to the sideways force of the wind. It is essential to account for leeway in all chartwork and navigational strategies to ensure safe sailing.
📹 What is leeway?
Leeway is the drift motion to leeward as a boat sails. To reduce leeway, sailing vessels use a keel, centerboard, daggerboard or …
📹 Allowance for leeway 2
In this example, your boat has a compass heading of 090 degrees, so it follows that the reciprocal heading is 270 degrees – 090 …
I would like to see you do a review of the different types of “swing” centerboards used on 16′ to 26′ sailboats. I had a Catalina 25 with a crank to lift the centerboard and believe the Catalina 22 is the same. Fortunately before buying a Catalina 22, I came across a 1990 Presision 21 in mint condition and love it over the Catalina for a number of reasons. One reason is the design of the centerboard and the ease to raise and lover it by simply pulling or letting out of a line frome a cleat in the cockpit.