Skip to content

Velico

Practical Knowledge for Life Under Sail

Recent Posts

  • Speed Over Ground vs Speed Through Water: A Practical Guide for Recreational Sailors
  • How Currents Affect Course and Speed
  • How to Read a Tide Table
  • How Tides Affect Passage Planning
  • Wave Height vs Wave Period

Recent Comments

No comments to show.

Archives

  • August 2026
  • July 2026

Categories

  • Learn to Sail
  • Marine Navigation & Weather
  • Sailboat Rigging & Equipment
  • Sailing Cruising
  • Sailing Racing
  • Sailing Safety
  • Seamanship

keel and hull

How Sailboats Work: Wind, Lift, Drag, and Forward Motion

July 12, 2026 | Learn to Sail | Joaquimma Anna

This comprehensive guide explains the physics behind sailing, from the aerodynamic forces on sails to the hydrodynamic forces on the hull. Learn how lift and drag combine to drive a boat forward, and discover practical techniques for optimizing sail trim and boat handling.

Read More →

About This Site

Practical Knowledge for Life Under Sail

Recent Articles

  • Sailboat Cruising: The Complete Guide to Planning, Equipment, and Life Aboard
  • How to Sail: A Complete Beginner’s Guide to Mastering the Basics
  • Marine Weather for Sailors: Wind, Waves, Pressure, and Forecasts
  • Sails and Rigging Explained: From Masthead to Deck
  • Essential Seamanship Skills for Recreational Sailors: A Comprehensive Guide
  • Types of Sailboats: Hulls, Rigs, and Intended Uses
  • Anchoring a Sailboat: Techniques, Scope, and Troubleshooting
  • Mastering Sailing Maneuvers: Tacking, Gybing, Reefing, and Heaving-To
  • How to Choose Your First Sailboat: A Comprehensive Guide for New Skippers
  • Sailing Glossary: Essential Terms from A to Z
  • The Racing Rules of Sailing: A Practical Introduction
  • Sailing Knots: The Complete Practical Guide
  • Sailboat Maintenance: The Complete Owner’s Guide
  • Heavy Weather Sailing: Preparation, Tactics, and Limitations
  • Sailing Safety: Equipment, Preparation and Emergency Procedures
  • Sailing Navigation for Beginners: Charts, Bearings, and Position
  • Sailing Calculations: Speed, Distance, Wind, and Sail Area Explained
  • Sail Trim Explained: How to Set Your Sails for Every Course
  • Man Overboard Recovery: Prevention and Response
  • Passage Planning: From Departure to Safe Arrival – A Complete Guide for Sailors
  • Points of Sail Explained: Complete Guide with Diagrams
  • How Sailboats Work: Wind, Lift, Drag, and Forward Motion
  • Sailboat Parts and Terminology: A Complete Illustrated Guide
  • Tides and Currents: A Practical Guide for Sailors
  • Docking a Sailboat: Mastering Wind, Current, and Prop Walk
  • Speed Over Ground vs Speed Through Water: A Practical Guide for Recreational Sailors
  • How Currents Affect Course and Speed
  • How to Read a Tide Table
  • How Tides Affect Passage Planning
  • Wave Height vs Wave Period
© 2026 Velico. All rights reserved. Powered by WordPress