<< We were tacking upwind (add here)- zig-zagging back and forth across the
wide river in a very "reachy" close reach.
>>
Add with current, to above, and I agree 100 %. It is possible to sail with
apparent wind when there is no breeze or wind pressure while in a stationary
position without current. It's current moving you downstream that creates
apparent wind pressure...
But, you can only sail in a downstream range... So you can sail an inlet or
river where there is no actual wind using currents to assist in developing
apparent wind... You lose apparent wind, moment you turn into current...
So... It's a one way deal only...
Think about it carefully...
Best
SF
BTW: should'nt JBlumhorst@aol.com writes: really read JBlumhorst@aol.com
wrote:? It's already written.
>>In a message JBlumhorst@aol.com wrote:
Sorry. If i leave a "the" in there my biz english teacher will beat me...
Hey guys, such a feat is indeed possible.
I've done it. Along with dozens of other people at ABK's
windsurfing training camps in the Sacramento River Delta.
Done it several years in a row In dead are and a flood tide
on the river of 4+ knots. We typically sailed 4-5 miles
"downstream" in about an hour.
The "feat" is followed that night with a lecture and video
entitled "We all sail on apparent wind", subtitled "How to
win a race when there's no wind or lots of lulls".
There's a very noticable difference between floating
downstream on a windsurfer compared to sailing downstream.
When there's no wind, you have to hold the sail up and it's
hot, tiring sweaty work. When there's a little wind, the
sail holds itself up and you grip the boom and lean back to
counter balance it -- and it's fun. When it's really windy,
you need a harness and footstraps to keep yourself from being
lifted off the board by the sail -- than it's an adrenaline
rush!
We had fun on those "windless" downwind runs. There was
enough apparent wind to hold the sails up so we didn't have
to work at it. And while we weren't sailing really fast, it
was fast enough to be fun.
Jim, if you doubt my story, or just want collaboration, call
ABK Windsurfing Camp in the SF Bay area and ask to speak to
the head coach or one of the assistant coaches. These guys
are former olympic and world champions and they know more
about sailing than those hydrodynamicists who gave you their
so-called expert opinions on sailing.
Best,
Judy B<<