Where’s the lift?

[beene]

Boy oh boy do sailors talk funny

G

[Theo]

Very Interesting. But would this tendency to lift on the windward side also contribute to heeling? Is that why some of the high performance boats have the swing keels?

Theo

[delevi]

Actually lift on the windward side would move the boat towards the wind, so the lift would actually help reduce heel. Right? I believe the swing keel i.e. cenerboard on the Mac can be raised part way to reduce weather helm by moving the center of effort aft, more aligned with the main sail. This, however doesn't change heel. Some racing yachts use a canted bulb keel to keep the boat level. The keel can be adjsted to lever out the big bulb to reduce heel without using more ballast.