Physics of Sailing

by John Kimball

Overview

Breaking down the complicated concepts of speed, acceleration, torque, fluid mechanics, and surface physics, Physics of Sailing provides a lively, easily accessible introduction to the basic science underlying the sport of sailing. It illustrates the many ways physics can be used to understand the principles of sailboat propulsion and how a scientific understanding of the boat, wind, and water can lead to more skillful sailing.

After a brief but insightful tour of the history of sailing, the book explores the physics involved in making faster sailing crafts for both upwind and downwind sailing, including Newton’s impact theory of fluid resistance and lift and drag phenomena. It compares possible sail shapes, presents measurements of hull smoothness, and describes wind turbulence, the nature of water waves, and the structure of wakes. Using the physics of optics, the author also explains the connection between water’s appearance and the wind. Along with a glossary of sailing terms, he includes many examples throughout to illustrate the concepts in practice.

Avoiding unnecessary formalisms, this book skillfully applies the principles of fluid mechanics to sailboat technology and the art of sailing. It should help you become a more knowledgeable sailor.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781040079416
Publisher:	CRC Press
Publication date:	12/22/2009
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	296
File size:	7 MB

About the Author

John Kimball is a professor of physics at the University of Albany.

Table of Contents

Depart, Depart from Solid Earth. Downwind-The Easy Direction. Upwind-The Hard Direction. Tipping, Torques, and Trouble. See How the Mainsail Sets. Fluid Dynamics. Surfaces. Waves and Wakes. Wind. Strategy. Finally. Sailing Glossary. Index.

Editorial Reviews

… a potpourri of good physics picking on the many areas in which basic and not so basic physics apply. … The chapter on fluid dynamics sets this book apart by its sceptical and pragmatic approach … Kimball puts each idea in its place showing where its strengths and weaknesses are. In doing so he provides a rare overview which so many books fail to give. … Chapters on wind generation and strategy conclude a fascinating read. … it is an intriguing gathering together of many disparate ideas which will keep the sailing scientist quiet in his bunk for many evenings. Also, it should be a standard introduction to any fluid dynamics course.
—R.S. Shorter, Contemporary Physics, 52, 2011

… an excellent introduction to the forces that enable sailboats to perform … . John Kimball has contributed a readable explanation of the physics behind sailing that will appeal to a wide range of technically oriented readers.
—James Harper, University of New Hampshire, Durham, USA

The book is very well written and informative.
—Guy Vandegrift, Wright State University, Dayton, Ohio, USA

I like the book very much. It is well written and … fills a nice gap between my very introductory book and an even more detailed, mathematical approach.
—Bryon D. Anderson, Ph.D., Kent State University, Ohio, USA

From the Publisher