RE: BRAIN TEASER
Eric Johnson (ej@blarg.net)
Fri, 21 May 1999 09:08:46 -0700
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West Wight Potter Website at URL
http://www.lesbois.com/wwpotter/
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> Sailor #1 will win. The apparent wind is zero, the drag of the apparent
> wind is zero. He travels at 2 knots with the current and with no
> wind drag.
> Sailor #2 has an apparent wind of -2 knots with the current. His wind drag
> forces are higher and therefore goes slower even though the
> current has the
> same speed.
> Jim Nolan
My guess is you're right, if its a square-rigger :) If its a sloop or other
weatherly rig, a competent sailor should be able to make good a small amount
against a 2knot headwind.
Seems to me that any time the velocity of the water and the air differ, a
weatherly rig should be able to make progress in any direction.