One of the ways to enjoy sailing trips much more is to know the ins and outs of sailing well. One of those, which you’ve probably heard the most of, is sailing downwind. To understand it better, sailing downwind means that the boat is moving towards the direction in which the wind is blowing.
Basically, the back of the boat, which is known as the stern, is pointing to the direction in which the wind is headed.
What is leeward
Leeward is a nautical term that refers to the direction in which the wind is directed. Now that you know what leeward is, it’s much better understood when you say you’re sailing downwind, meaning you’re sailing in the direction where the wind is heading.
What is windward
Windward is another nautical term completely opposite to leeward. In this case, when we talk about leeward we refer to the direction from which the wind comes in relation to a certain point. In other words, it is the part from where the wind blows towards our sailboat.
What does it mean to sail to leeward
Knowing these terms well is essential for navigation. When we are sailing downwind, the sails do not receive the headwind and, therefore, the boat moves more slowly.
These concepts are much more important when we talk about a sailing boat such as a sailboat. When a boat is sailing downwind, it can pose a risk to the boat and requires special handling and knowledge on the part of the crew.
Difference Between Windward and Leeward
Knowing these terms is essential since they have much more transcendence beyond navigation. For example, when two boats cross each other, the one that is downwind will always have priority. This is because it is more complicated to manoeuvre to leeward and, for safety reasons, the passage of said boat is facilitated.
When it comes to better seeing the difference between windward and leeward, we are going to differentiate the sailing conditions, the direction and the power of the wind.
The main difference between windward and leeward is found in the ease of navigation. When sailing against the wind, the maneuvers that the boat must carry out are much more complex and risky. Navigating a boat to windward is much easier because the wind pushes and, therefore, facilitates maneuvers, making them much more fluid.
The direction of the wind is the other difference. As we have seen before, when we talk about windward we are referring to the direction from which the wind comes, while leeward is the direction in which the wind is headed. When the boat is in a windward position, you will probably hear the expression “going with the wind in your face” which, in addition, is related to a favorable situation for navigation.
Finally, the power of the wind. The power of the wind is much higher upwind and, in addition, it is a more constant power. On the other hand, in leeward we are talking about a lower force that, as a general rule, occurs in spurts. These gusts are one of the main reasons that also serve to explain the difficulties experienced by maneuvers in navigation.
Techniques and recommendations for sailing downwind
Sailing downwind requires certain maneuvers to be able to sail safely. The first consideration has to do with candlesticks. It is important to prevent the mainsail from inflating excessively, so it is recommended to cut it enough so as not to lose control. In addition to this, depending on the intensity of the wind, the jib can be fully retracted. This should apply to the rest of the candles that will have to be adjusted according to the weather.
As happens on a road when the weather conditions are adverse, it is important to always adjust the course to the sea conditions. This not only involves taking into account the deployment of sails, but also other aspects, for example, carrying out a stern rhombus or a long course. The stern course will help you take advantage of the wind in a much more efficient way, so it improves navigation.
Despite the fact that navigation is somewhat more stable when sailing downwind, it is recommended to continuously monitor the stability of the boat. This is more important when conditions are changing, as the safety and comfort of the boat must always be maintained .
The importance of sailing downwind in extreme conditions
One of the things that may seem less intuitive is sailing in the same direction of the wind when conditions are extreme. When you are in the middle of a storm or the sea is very rough, carrying out a good maneuver when sailing downwind can go a long way in improving the safety of the boat.
Of course, this is only recommended when the storm requires it and, of course, the person in charge of carrying out the maneuver has enough experience to be able to do it well. In the event of doing one of these maneuvers wrong, not only is the course of the ship put at risk, but also its integrity is compromised.
There are several reasons for this. Firstly, when sailing with the wind downwind there is less impact of the waves. This is because the waves tend to hit the stern of the boat rather than the side, so the force of the impact is much lower and, of course, the tendency of the boat itself to list.
This advantage clearly explains the second, greater stability of the boat is achieved. As the waves hit the back of the boat and the wind pushes also from the back , the stress on the rigging is reduced and the boat becomes more stable.
Sailing downwind also involves a number of risks. In addition to the fact that it is necessary to have some experience to do so, the boat can lose speed quickly if the wind dies down. When there is a sudden change in the direction of the wind, dangerous situations can occur, which is why the experience of the sailor is very important and always prioritise the safety of the boat.
Finally, it should also be taken into account that, by having faster navigation, it is possible to get out of the areas that could be more dangerous earlier. This is usually especially recommended when you encounter one with strong currents.
