*This is THE book on the aero- and hydromechanics of sailing.*Contains full and scientifically justified descriptions of the dependence of the performance of sailing yachts on their configuration and the underlying physical mechanisms.*Bridges the gap between the few existing books on the aero- and hydrodynamics of sailing and the more popular books that deal with the "what and how" but not with the "why" of sailing yacht configurations and boat trim.*New edition that also covers the recently evolved technology of foiling.REVIEWS (OF THE 1ST EDITION):From the December 2015 issue of the Dutch sailing magazine "Zeilen" (translated):"Decades of research and development in fluid dynamics, but also his experience as a cruising yachtsman, have put author Joop Slooff in the position to write a new standard work on the behavior of keel yachts in wind and water. In his preface the author states that it is his ambition to bridge the gap between the few existing scientific books on the aero- and hydrodynamics of sailing and the more popular books that describe the 'what' and 'how' but not so much the 'why' of boat trim. For this purpose the author treats the basic principles of the forces acting on a sailing yacht, but he describes also how these principles translate to the boat and its sails.... In the world of sailing Slooff is known for his involvement in the development of the winged keel of the America's Cup winning yacht Australia II. His book is an excellent work for the dedicated yachtsman who is interested in the 'why' and the scientific background of the behavior of his or her boat in wind and water".Comment (Dec. 2015) by Edward Canepa, assistant professor in Fluid Machinery at the University of Genova (Italy):"For some years I'm teaching a course on "Sailing Yacht Design" in the master class of yacht design. Actually, I've found your book the best one about physics of a sailing yacht I've ever read". Comment (Dec. 2015) by Frank Woodward, former computational fluid dynamicist at the Boeing Company and Analytical Methods Inc., and a cruising yachtsman (retired):"...very impressed, no wonder it took so long. It is 'everything I ever wanted to know about sailing but was afraid to ask' !"

What is the best shape for a sailboat? How does turbulence affect a sailboat's movement through the water? Why do some keels have wings? Is it true that some sailboats can sail faster upwind than downwind? Authoritative yet accessible, The Physics of Sailing Explained is the perfect book for all those sailors who want to enhance their understanding and enjoyment of life at sea. It will enable cruisers and racers alike to better grasp how sails, keels, and hulls work together to keep boats afloat, and will sharpen their skills with a more subtle and thorough appreciation of why various boat design features are present and why certain tactics work in certain situations. Anderson outlines the science behind sailing in a way that anyone can understand and benefit from without having to trudge through a physics text or became a naval architect. Concepts are conveyed simply, concisely, and with many examples and illustrations. With the help of this invaluable book, sailors will be better prepared to handle any situations that might arise on the water.

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 scienti

A groundbreaking technical analysis of yacht design based on cutting edge research in the field of aero-hydrodynamics.

An estimated 4.1 million people in the United States participate in recreational sailing. Yet the large library of sailing literature leaves many of them high and dry. On one side are technical guides for America’s Cup boat-builders; on the other, simplistic books for weekend sailors with little interest in science. In Float Your Boat! professional and amateur boaters alike will find intelligent and understandable answers to such questions as: What were the key innovations that made sailboats more efficient? How do you increase the speed of a boat? How do sailboats travel into the wind? Why are so many explanations of sailing so wrong? Sailing enthusiast and physicist Mark Denny first traces the evolution of the sailing craft, from prehistoric coracles made of animal skins and antlers to the sailboat’s reinvention as a pleasure craft during the Industrial Revolution. He then identifies specific sailing phenomena—how wind drives modern Bermuda sloops, how torque determines stability, why hull speed exists—and provides the key physics principles behind them. Whether you are an inquisitive landlubber who has never set foot in a boat, a casual weekend sailor, or an old salt who lives for the sea, Float Your Boat! is an accessible guide to the physics of sailing.

Here is a detailed study of the motive forces of a yacht written in clear and accessible terms. The author has the rare gift of enabling his readers to relate the nautical phenomena with which they are so familiar to a scientific explanation of how and why these occur. The first part covers downwind sailing, upwind sailing, sails, the hull, and the dynamic motion of a yacht. Part Two is devoted to more mathematical explanations of the same phenomena for those requiring a more scientific approach.

Guide for both cruisers and racers that takes a look at the latest materials and rigging methods and simplifies the purchase and upkeep of a proper sail inventory.

Leading phenomena of the wave-making resistance of ships.

Solar sail technology is very close to becoming an engineering reality and it will soon be used in the exploration of the solar system and beyond. This fascinating book provides an accessible introduction to solar sails and details how they work and what they will be used for in the exploration of space. It also examines current plans for solar sails and how advanced technology, such as nanotechnology, might enhance their performance. Coverage shows how solar sail propulsion will make space exploration more affordable and demonstrates how access to destinations within (and beyond) the solar system will become within reach.