The World's Most Advanced Sailing Education and Sailing Certifications

Easterly Wind

Forum - Electronic Navigation and Communications - Easterly Wind
Module Content - Sea Talks1
avatar
Student
Darroch Cahen
Astoria, OR, USA
Captain Level IV
Status: Big Time Sailor
Qualified days: 186
Easterly Wind
Posted 2017, Nov 24 14:59
Dumb Question: An Easterly Wind would be plotted as 090 M ? From the East to the West. Thus, a Standard keel boat heading up wind would be sailing generally on a course 45+ degrees off the wind; ie 045 or 135. Right ?
Add reply
0 0

Replies

avatar
Administrator
Grant Headifen
Reply 2017, Nov 24 15:39
Yes, an easterly wind (by convention) comes from the east. An easy way to remember this is that in the northern hemisphere a northerly wind is always the coldest - this we know. It is already ingrained in our memories - if someone says a northerly wind we know it is going to get cold (artic in the north). Same if you live in the southern hemisphere. Anytime someone said it's going to be a southerly, I always knew it was going to get colder. Thus the wind comes from the direction listed. This is opposite to current - current goes towards the direction listed. A north current flows TO the north. So if the wind is coming from 090, and if your close haul angle is 45 off the true wind direction, then the best you can sail upwind is 045 or 135.
0 0
1 - 1 of 1 replys

Add reply

* - required fields

Please signin first
Add your reply in a positive and constructive manner and tone. Be as specific and clear as possible. Other students will vote your reply up or down depending on its usefulness the clarity. Your comments are always editable.