If you’ve ever found yourself on sailboat with a lack of wind to push you along, there are some things you can do to get going again. Here’s what we know.
The silence can be unnerving at first. Unlike regular boats that can be powered by 4 types of boat engines, which all work differently, sailboats are designed to harness the invisible energy that surrounds them. It can feel as if you’re stranded in the middle of nowhere when that energy fades.
However, calm waters don’t have to result in a state of panic. Most skippers have a contingency plan. It is highly likely that getting the boat out of the dead zone only requires turning on a small motor. If no motor is present, oars can also be sufficient to move forward on smaller boats, although anyone who has ever rowed a sailboat knows that it’s an arduous undertaking.
Some sailboats may not have a motor or oars, but that doesn’t mean you’re powerless without them. The sea is never motionless, and you can still find your way forward if you know how to work with the tides and currents that flow beneath the hull like rivers.Using currents and hydrodynamics
Not all sea vessels are built equal. Ships are different from boats and, as a result, have different strengths and weaknesses.