Sails

ghastley

Can someone please explain basic sailing principles to the art department? The fundamental idea is that sails provide a thrust in the direction of the wind when they are unfurled, and little or no thrust when reefed. This is how they control whether they go or stop.

However, the ship near the center of the current sign-in background image is creating a significant wake while all its sails are reefed. It's not the only one in that picture.

I've encountered many vessels riding calmly at anchor with all their sails unfurled, filled with wind but apparently not generating any motion, not even rocking the boat.

Clearly there are models of each type, but they're just not being used correctly by whoever is placing them. Can this be fixed?

Eormenric

Playing devil's advocate: Could a ship's current momentum be carried for a short time if the sails were reefed before docking/anchoring? Or is that not how you gradually slow down a boat?

As for the lack of boat-rocking, it does seem like an easy thing to add. If this is the "We got boats! (but you don't)" chapter, then they really should pay attention to that detail. Get an intern on it and keep people like ghastley engaged and immersed.

Vevvev

Ships can glide a bit when their sails are not unfurled, but they'll eventually come to a stop relative to the currents and be carried by them. Can also maneuver a ship with paddles and oars when the sails are not down, but it seems like they cut that kinda thing out.