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Michel
Joined: 10 Jan 2006
Posts: 966
Location: Norway
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 Posted: Fri Aug 25, 2006 2:20 am Post subject: (off topic) The experience of sailing. WAS: Is a taildragger |
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| Quote: | From: Richard Rabbers [rira1950(at)yahoo.com]
The strength of the cold wind and resulting power of a sail is much greater
than a warm tropical breeze.
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Well ... yes and no, Richard. While colder, and therefore denser air, will put more pressure on your sails, it will also on your anemometer and therefore, for the same wind force reading, you will carry the same reefed sail, summer or winter.
It is a common concept that the wind "hits harder" in the winter but it is attributed to the general discomfort of feeling a cold wind, which indeed feels "harder."
In the temperate latitudes, the frequency of gale winds is largely higher in the winter, though. But that is due to the fact that the difference between polar and tropical air masses is greater in winter, because of the very short polar day, in winter; vs. the very long one in summer.
This being said, I have never been carrying a wind measuring instrument in my sailboat because, for me, there is only three wind forces: Not enough, enough and, too much. That is very subjective and it should be. If I feel like reefing down the main, or seek shelter in a harbour, it is because it blows "too much." What is the actual wind speed in knots, doesn't matter. It may be that I feel tired, start a cold, have a passenger I worry about, need a good night sleep. All those are good enough reasons to say that the wind force is: too much.
But you are right to say that e.g. maritime radio communication helps once becoming a pilot, Richard. There is very much similarity between ATC and VTS (vessel traffic surveillance) and SAR is, anyway, common for the maritime and aviation world, ... although I still have to see an aircraft calling pan-pan.
Cheers,
Michel
do not archive
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Richard Rabbers
Joined: 09 Jan 2006
Posts: 114
Location: Benton Harbor, MI - USA
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| Posted: Fri Aug 25, 2006 9:51 am Post subject: Re: (off topic) The experience of sailing. WAS: Is a taildra |
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| Quote: | | Michel sez > It is a common concept that the wind "hits harder" in the winter but it is attributed to the general discomfort of feeling a cold wind, which indeed feels "harder." |
Michel,
I don't have an anemometer either. I was recalling a trip I made and... It was probably my skin that was becoming harder as well as an icy crust on things and frozen knots, etc. I always wondered how those northern sailors managed. I don't want to know more. I'll do my best to avoid extreme cold while sailing. I've not flown much in winter yet. I'd imagine that it's more difficult to carry out 'normal' preparation for flight, etc. I've pretty much decided I'll begin my KF flying in warmer months.
My last miserable sail (I pulled into the first port I could manage after the weather turned cold... not quite like punching up 'nearest airport on the GPS) was when I was sailing solo, going west 'around the horn' which I know considet to be going up and around Michigan's Lower Peninsula too late in the year. The wind speed continued to climb and it got colder and colder. I could hear on the radio that freighters were prepping to 'hove-to' in sheltered water behind islands in the straights... It started snowing. I finally made the harbor of Cheboygan about 3 am.
I found out later that I had experienced the western edge of 'The Perfect Storm'. This was in November 2001.
Other aspects of sailing that relate to flying are - preparation, planning, self sufficiency, and also confidence building based on experience.
This shift in topic came from a comment by Dick, about kayaking and rudder peddle experience.
I agree...... there are many experiences and many areas of knowledge that are related to or can be applied to flight, working on, building planes, etc.
There is a wealth of knowledge represented by this group and it’s a pleasure to continue to learn by participating.
Thanks to all!
Richard
PS - on the topic of dangerous configuration or risk, as experienced in float training, and, anticipated in the future... I will feel very much at home on floats.
Do not achive
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Richard in SW Michigan
Model 1 / 618 - full-lotus floats (restoration) |
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MichaelGibbs(at)cox.net
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