cta

This article is an excerpt from NauticEd’s online Skipper Large Keelboats Course, a comprehensive online sailing course for beginner to intermediate sailors to learn how to sail large sailboats 26 ft (8m) and above. The Skipper Large Keelboats course is part of the Skipper Course Bundle of online courses, also teaching you how to master maneuvering under power and docking!

You can learn to sail and improve your sailing with NauticEd, the international leader in sailing education.

Skipper Course Details > Get 2 Free Online Courses >
Car showing effects of apparent wind with speeds: 31.2 kph apparent, 10 kph true. Car at 25 kph, angle 16.1 degrees.

Apparent Wind Speed vs True Wind Speed

/by

How to Understand True vs Apparent Wind

Here is our latest wind animation built using html5 technology so that it works on computers and mobile devices. It means you can bookmark this page on your phone and use it to explain the concept of true vs apparent to anyone – even whilst out on the boat.

Slide the slider bar.

We are building this into our new basic sail trim iPad eLearning course. As soon as it is up we will link this page through to the App. In the meantime please enjoy true versus apparent wind animation explanation.

 

You can learn more in the Skipper Course....

Knowledge and theory for longer distances and overnight sailing in diverse conditions. The Skipper Course is a comprehensive online sailing course for beginner to intermediate sailors wanting to learn how to sail larger sailboats 26ft to 56ft. Or upgrade to the Skipper Course Bundle of online courses to also master maneuvering under power and docking!

Skipper Course Details > Get 2 Free Online Courses >

Author

  • Grant Headifen

    My vision for NauticEd is to ensure that families and friends get out on the water not only safely but with true COMPETENCE, confidently savoring every moment of their valuable time.

    Achieving this means being the pinnacle of sailing and boating education—offering comprehensive multi-media theoretical instruction coupled with hands-on, on-the-water training through our global network of American National Standards Instructors. We steadfastly avoid becoming a mere certification mill; our focus is on delivering genuine competence, ensuring our students are well-prepared for enjoyable, real-world boating experiences.

    View all posts
Search for a topic.
You might also like
Sailing exercise: Adjust course by 30 degrees towards wind. Mountainous island backdrop, sailing gauge shown.Predicting the Wind and Weather
Aerial view of sailboats demonstrating beam reach with annotations on true and apparent wind angles.Is a beam reach relative to true wind or apparent wind
Sailboats with colorful spinnakers on a tranquil sea at sunset, creating a picturesque scene for sailing enthusiasts.Sail Trim – How do sails work?
Polar PlotHow do Polar Plots Work on a Sailboat?
Skipper CardSailing Tip: How to move the fairlead forward whilst under tension
Sailing exercise: Adjust course by 30 degrees towards wind. Mountainous island backdrop, sailing gauge shown.How to Effectively use a Wind Meter on a Sailboat
You are here: Home / Sailing Education / Sailing / Apparent Wind Speed vs True Wind Speed
Last updated on June 24th, 2025
New Style and Greatly Enhanced Sailors LogBookSailors logbook entryInternational Navigation Rules of Preventing Collision at Sea