How does Wind Gradient affect Apparent Angle

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With wind gradient, the wind speed increases with height above the water because surface friction slows the air closer to the water. If the direction of the true wind stays the same, but the speed increases aloft, then due to the movement of the boat the apparent wind angle aloft shifts slightly aft.

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Fin Keel versus a Full Keel Efficiency

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Basic Newtonian physics says keel force scales with water density, area, and velocity squared. So if a fin keel and full keel had the same area, shouldn’t they perform the same? And since full keels often have more area, it seems like they should do better—not worse.

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Flares are Essential Safety Equipment

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In addition to your flare kit, you should have on board a distress signaling kit. It should contain a mirror (which has been consistently proven to attract attention to far away viewers), an eVDSD (electronic Visual Distress Signal Device) which is an LED SOS signaling device discussed above, a whistle, a distress orange flag, and a floating LED flashlight – all stowed in a loudly marked bag for easy grab.

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