Sailing and Rowing

= Sailing =

Points of Sail
A point of sail describes the alignment of the direction in which a sailing vessel heads in relation to the direction of the wind. (which requires the sails to be positioned in a particular way).


 * Downwind or Upwind: Generally, downwind or upwind occurs when the vessel heads in the same (general) direction, within less than 90°, on either side, of the direction… :
 * Downwind: …towards which the wind heads. Specifically, downwind can refer to when the vessel heads in the same exact direction towards which the wind heads.
 * Upwind: …from which the wind comes. Specifically, upwind can refer to heading in the same exact direction from which the wind comes.
 * Dead Run: Heading in the same exact direction towards which the wind heads; also exactly opposite from which the wind comes; also directly downwind.
 * Run or Running: Heading in any direction within up to 20° (or less), on either side, of a dead run.
 * Broad Reach: Heading in any direction, on either side, in between a regular run and beam reach; also between 20° to less than 90°, on either side, of a dead run; also between more than 90° to 160°, on either side, of being directly into the wind.
 * Beam Reach: Heading 90°, on either side, of a dead run; also heading 90°, on either side, of being directly into the wind; also heading 90°, on either side, of the direction towards which the wind heads; also heading 90°, on either side, of the direction from which the wind comes.
 * Close Reach: Heading in any direction, on either side, in between a beam reach and close hauled.
 * Close Hauled: Heading towards the closest angle to the direction from which the wind comes (but not within being in irons) that is possible for the sails of a particular sailing vessel to receive useful power from the wind.
 * In Irons: Any direction in which the sails of a sailing vessel cannot effectively receive useful power; also the range between the upwind sides of close hauled.
 * Directly Into The Wind: In the same exact direction from which the wind comes; also exactly opposite direction towards which the wind heads; also directly upwind.

To Sail a Sailing Vessel

 * The helm station is used in order to steer the vessel towards a desired point of sail;
 * the mast pinrail station is used to lower or open the sails in preparation to catch wind to the degree that the sails are open; and
 * the bulwark pinrail station is used to trim or position the sails by adjusting their rotation and tension. Trimming the sails by adjusting their rotation and tension is needed to position them at the best angle and tension to receive wind according to their vessel's rigging and the crew's desired point of sail.

Best Angle to Receive Wind
Dependent on a vessel's rigging and its point of sail, the best angles for sails to receive wind are as follows:

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Best Tension to Receive Wind
Dependent on a vessel's rigging and its point of sail, the best tensions to receive wind are as follows:

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Tacking
If a destination is in the exact same direction as a vessel’s best point of sail according to current wind conditions, it is obvious to sail directly towards the destination (without the need for tacking).

However:


 * If the destination is upwind according to current wind conditions, a vessel must sail at the close hauled point of sail and periodically tack to between the same point of sail on the other side of the wind in order to travel towards that destination.
 * If the destination is directly downwind according to current wind conditions, it may seem best to sail at the dead run point of sail, but it is actually more efficient for the vessel to sail at the broad reach point of sail and periodically tack between the same point of sail on the other side of the wind in order to travel towards that destination.

Sail Access Stations
(As described in the boats and ships articles)


 * Sail Stations:
 * Mast Pinrail Station: Used for furling and unfurling sails. Controls are as follows:
 * Furl: Raises or closes the sail to any level desired until fully raised or closed.
 * Unfurl: Lowers or opens the sail to any level desired until fully lowered or open.
 * Raise The Cargo Boom: Raises the cargo boom as far in as desired until at the location of the mast.
 * Lower The Cargo Boom: Extends the cargo boom as far out as desired until fully extended.
 * Hoist: Attaches/Detaches compatible items to the cargo boom in order for them to be loaded on and off the vessel or in and out of the hold.
 * Bulwark Pinrail Station: Used for trimming sails. Controls are as follows:
 * Trimming:
 * Rotate Yard clockwise: Angles the sails in the starboard direction to any level desired within a set range.
 * Rotate Yard counterclockwise: Angle the sails in the port direction to any level desired within a set range.
 * Loosen Sail: Allows the sail to extend out to any level desired within a set range.
 * Tighten Sail: Reduces the amount by which the sail can extend out to any level desired within a set range.

= Rowing = In order for a vessels to move forward with balance, there must be an equal amount of active rowing power from each side. Any imbalance of rowing power on either side will influence a vessel to turn in the direction of the weaker side. A vessel's rudder can help compensate for imbalances in rowing power.

Oar Access Stations
Used for rowing or transporting the oar(s) whose station is being operated.


 * Oar Stations:
 * Common Controls:
 * Pickup: Allows for the item to be held by the character or object that picks it up.
 * Single Oar Station: Present on vessels that are too wide for one human character to row both sides at once, single oar stations control a single oar for one side only. Controls are as follows:
 * Row forward: Causes the human character to row the vessel forward with the power of the current single oar from the side on which it is installed.
 * Row backward: Causes the human character to row the vessel backward with the power of the current single oar from the side on which it is installed.
 * Double Oar Station: Present on vessels that are narrow enough for one human character to row both sides at once, double oar stations control two oars, one on each side. Controls are as follows:
 * Row forward: Causes the human character to row the vessel forward with the power of the current double oars, one on each side.
 * Row backward: Causes the human character to row the vessel backward with the power of the current double oars, one on each side.