The Symmetry of Sailing: The Physics of Sailing for Yachtsmen [Hardcover]

Ross Garrett (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 1987

Why must a boat make leeway in order to sail to windward? How can a helmsman prevent downwind rolling? Why is a sail able to produce a force at right angles to the wind direction? How do the motions of water particles in waves affect boat handling? These and many other important questions are addressed by the author in this detailed study of the motive forces of a yacht.

The author has the rare gift of enabling his readers to relate the nautical phenomena with which they are so familiar to a physical explanation of how and why these occur. The first part covers downwind sailing, upwind sailing, sails, the hull, and the dynamic motion of a yacht. Part Two is devoted to more mathematical explanations of the same phenomena for those requiring a more scientific approach.

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

Review

A technoid's delight....If you're willing to wade through it and spend some time scratching your head, there are enough nuggets here to make this a worthwhile read. --Sailing World, July 1989 --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

About the Author

After five years of working in medical physics in the U.S., Ross Garrett returned to the University of Auckland, New Zealand, to teach and research nuclear physics, which he combined with racing small catamarans and trailer sailors. The Symmetry of Sailing is based on a series of lectures given to amateur sailors at the University of Auckland. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 416 pages
• Publisher: Adlard Coles (December 1987)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0229117597
• ISBN-13: 978-0229117598
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.6 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,290,538 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Outshines by far any book on the topic of sailing theory., November 17, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Symmetry of Sailing: The Physics of Sailing for Yachtsman (Paperback)

While written some 12 years ago this book is as fresh as a daisy. Some of the topics are still breathtaking in their implications for the future of sailing such as sailing dead downwind faster than the wind.

Already practical yachts have sailed straight into the wind, and it just awaits the technology to acheive this down wind trick.

As well there are straight forward guides as to how to handle a yacht in the real world of racing, as well as sobering discussions on the effects of breaking seas.

All in all it has made me a far more aware sailor with the knowledge to plan for exciting sailing and future fun.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The full story, March 18, 2007

By 

Sailing Instructor "Chris" (NJ USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Symmetry of Sailing: The Physics of Sailing for Yachtsman (Paperback)

Garrett goes all out in describing the real physics behind sailing. A great book for anyone with a serious need or want to understand the intricacies behind a wonderful sport. The book is very technical, especially in the latter parts. Very well written, and much less overwhelming than Marchaj.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars If you really want to understand, August 4, 2009

By 

Typical Consumer "AGN" (Tennessee) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Symmetry of Sailing: The Physics of Sailing for Yachtsman (Paperback)

If you really want to understand sailing and what makes the boat go through the water and why this is the book. Its not a light bedtime read. You do have to think about what is being said and explained but the explanations are complete enough to appeal to an engineer (as myself) yet presented with enough discussion that a non-engineer with an interest in the details can enjoy it as well. Although the equations and formulas are given, you don't need to know sophisticated math to understand. Its not a cookbook to sail faster but if you apply the material presented here, you cannot but sail faster, better and more efficiently.