sail

a large piece of fabric (usually canvas fabric) by means of which wind is used to propel a sailing vessel an ocean trip taken for pleasure any structure that resembles a sail traverse or travel on (a body of water)

"We sailed the Atlantic"

"He sailed the Pacific all alone" move with sweeping, effortless, gliding motions

"The diva swept into the room"

"Shreds of paper sailed through the air"

"The searchlights swept across the sky" travel on water propelled by wind

"I love sailing, especially on the open sea"

"the ship sails on" travel on water propelled by wind or by other means

"The QE2 will sail to Southampton tomorrow"

A sail is any type of surface intended to generate thrust by being placed in a wind —in essence a vertically-oriented wing. Sails are used in sailing.Depending on the incident angle of attackangle of the wind on the surface of the sail, one side of the sail will have a higher air pressure than the other one according to Bernoulli's principle. The difference in pressure will generate Lift (force)lift, causing the sail to be pulled towards the side of lower pressure. On a dinghy sailingsailing boat, a keel or centreboard is used to convert this lateral force into forward movement of the boat with some sideways leaning, or 'heel'.

Use of sails - ]]Sails are primarily used at sea, on sailing ships as a propulsion system. For purposes of commerce, sails have been largely superseded by other forms of propulsion, such as the internal combustion engine. For recreation, however, sailing vessels remain popular. The most familiar type of sailboat, a small pleasure yacht, usually has a sail-plan called a sloop. This has two fore-and-aft sails: the mainsail and the jib. The mainsail extends aftward and is secured the whole length of its edges to the mast (sailing)mast and to a boom (sailing)boom also hung from the mast. The sails of tall ships are attached to wooden timbers or "spars".The jib is secured along its leading edge to a forestay (strong wire) strung from the top of the mast to the bowsprit on the bow (nose) of the boat. A Genoa (sail)genoa is also used on some boats. It is a type of jib that is larger, and cut so that it is fuller than an ordinary jib. Fore-and-aft sails can be switched from one side of the boat to the other, in order to alter the boat's course. When the boat's stern crosses the wind, this is called jibejibing; when the bow crosses the wind, it is called tacking. Tacking repeatedly from port to starboard and/or vice versa, called "beating", is done in order to allow the boat to follow a course into the wind.A primary feature of a properly designed sail is an amount of "draft (nautical)draft", caused by curvature of the surface of the sail. When the sail is oriented into the wind, this curvature induces lift, much like the wing of an airplane. Modern sails are manufactured with a combination of broadseaming and non-stretch fabric (ref New technology below). The former adds draft, while the latter allows the sail to keep a constant shape as the wind pressure increases. The draft of the sail can be reduced in stronger winds by use of a cunningham and outhaul, and also by increasing the downward pressure of the boom.Other sail powered machines include ice yachts and windmills.Sail construction is governed by the science of aerodynamics.

Parts of the Sail - : ''Main article: Parts of a sail.'' The lower edge of a triangular sail is called the "foot" of the sail, while the upper point is known as the "head". The lower two points of the sail, on either end of the foot, are called the "tack" (forward) and "clew" (aft). The forward edge of the sail is called the "luff" (from which derives the term "luffing", a rippling of the sail when the angle of the wind fails to maintain a good aerodynamic shape near the luff). The aft edge of a sail is called the "leech". Modern sails are designed such that the warp and the weft of the sailcloth are oriented parallel to the luff and foot of the sail. This places the most stretchable axis of the cloth along the diagonal axis (parallel to the leech), and makes it possible for sailors to reduce the draft of the sail by tensioning the sail, mast and boom in various ways.An alternative approach to sail design is that used in junk (sailing)Junks, originally an oriental design. It uses horizontal sail curving to produce an efficient and easily controlled sail-plan. friend.ly.net.

New technology - Sail producers are competing hard with the latest technology to produce the best, i.e. the most efficient sail: North sails with their 3DL sail, Doyle the 4D and Elvström Sobstad the Genesis sail. These sails are produced with carbon fibers and are glued/baked, compared to the old sewed cotton sails.

See also -

Sailing

Points of sail

Sail-plan

Rigging

Wing

Rudder

Fin

Solar sail

Sail twist

Types of sails -

Flanker (sail)Flanker

Lugsail

Ringtail (sail)Ringtail

Royal (sail)Royal

SkysailSail Types

External links - wb-sails.fi - The quest for the perfect sailshapeCategory:Sailing vessels and riggingCategory:Marine propulsionCategory:Sailboat anatomyda:sejlde:segeles:vela (náutica)fr:voile !(navire)he:מפרשit:Velanl:z eil? !(schip)pl:%C5%BBagiel_(%C5%BCe glarstwo)? !ru:Пару ;сsimple:Sailsv:Segelzh: 帆船

Carquinez Sail and Power Squadron
If you live or work near Vallejo, Benicia, Fairfield, Vacaville, or Napa areas check out our boating class schedule and by all means come by and take one of our monthly free instruction Boat SMART®/WEEKEND classes. Learn about boating and enjoy the camaraderie of other men and women boating enthusiasts and be rewarded with confidence in operating your boat in a safe manner.
http://www.carquinez.org/

charter yacht greece sailing boat with crew greek islands
Rent a cabin or the whole 66 feet wooden sailing yacht with crew for sail the greek islands
http://www.voiliergrece.com/

Aegeotissa Yachts & charters
Greek yacht cruises to Aegean & Ionian sea. Private charters, cabin sales, bare boats
http://www.aegeotissa.gr/

Lucky Dog Catamaran Company
Scenic catamaran sails on the Chesapeake Bay.
http://www.luckydogcatamarancompany.com/

The John Groves Studio
Enjoy the romantic age of sail with a visit to the John Groves Studio. The Gallery includes 40 unique paintings from the work of John Groves R.S.M.A. the internationally recognised marine artist.
http://www.johngroves.org/

SURFBOARDS-SNOWBOARDS-WAKEBOARDS
windsurfing surfing wakeboarding
http://www.surfshop-schumacher.de/

BackmanBoats Ltd
Design and produce the next generation of sportsboat with canting keel and carbon mast etc, book and free demo sail with us
http://www.backmanboats.com/

Traditional sailing, Yacht Charter, The Netherlands
Yacht,Charter,Yachtcharter,Lemsteraak,Lemsteraken,Lemsterbarge,flatbottum,boat,sail,sailing,Yacht Charter,traditional sailing,The Netherlands,Holland
http://www.jachtlease.nl

Gant Cup Turkey
GANT CUP The organizers and sponsors look forward to seeing all yachting fans participating for the fifth time this year from 26 to 30 July 2006, and wish you all fair winds and calm seas.
http://www.gantcup.com/

Brilliant Boat Accessories and Equipment!
Aronowitsch & Lyth AB. We have those clever gadgets that you really need!
http://www.arolyth.se/

Tradewinds Cottages on The Beach. Chaweng. Koh Samui.
Tradewinds Cottages on The Beach offer luxurious accomodation in a beachfront tropical setting
http://www.tradewinds-samui.com/

Go sailing in spain!
Sial the mediterranean with us.
http://www.canalmar.com/

Summer Youth Sailing Camp
Summer Youth Sailing Camp. Learn to sail June 5 thru August 11 Community Sailing of Colorado Summer Sailing Programs for children 8-17. Introductory Learn-To-Sail, Advanced Sailing, Voyaging, Racing. 9 weeks scheduled, starting June 5th at Cherry Creek State Park or Standley Lake Regional Park. Certified sailing instructor's. Children must know how to swim. Children's program tuition starting as low as $9 per day. Communitysailing.org or call 303-757-7718.
http://www.communitysailing.org/

Classe Mini 6.50 Italia - Official Site
Official site of Classe Mini 6.50 Italia. Ocean races and Transat 6.50 Regatta.
http://www.classemini.it/

IYT Recreational + Professional Yacht Crew Courses
IYT Yachtmaster Professional training courses, MCA & USCG approved, STCW95 compliant, for sail and power yachts in Spain and worldwide through other IYT schools. IYT Yachtmaster Professional Coastal. IYT Yachtmaster Professional Offshore. IYT Yachtmaster Professional Ocean. STCW'95 safety courses. VHF radio and GMDSS courses. IYT International Bareboat courses, from beginner to expert. Personalised tailor made courses available. IYT International Crew. IYT International Bareboat Flotilla Skipper. IYT International Bareboat Captain.
http://www.ima-yachtmaster.com/

Lega Navale Italiana Porto Pino
Sailing and yachting in the beautiful sea of the Sardinia (Italy)
http://www.leganavaleportopino.it/

Sailnet
Online sailing store for parts, supplies, and gear. Includes sailing news, articles, discussion groups, and free email.
http://www.sailnet.com

Sail Magazine
For sailors of all types (cruisers/racers/day sailors) from novice to expert. Includes many industry links.
http://www.sailmag.com

Full Sail Real World Education
Accredited school offers degree programs in computer animation, audio, film, video, live show production, and game design.
http://www.fullsail.com/

Full Sail Brewing Company
Hood River craft brewers of Wassail Winter Ale and Old Boardhead Barleywine. Provides beer styles, news, recipes, events, merchandise, and location information.
http://www.fullsailbrewing.com/

American Sail Training Association
Organizes Tall Ships® Events and co-ordinates sail training activity in the Americas.
http://tallships.sailtraining.org/

Sail America
A sailing industry association, promotes well known, quality 'sail-only' boat shows and other events promoting sailing.
http://www.sailamerica.com