🔍 Key Concepts

• Windage and how exposed areas (sides, superstructure) act like a sail • Difference between propeller wash / rudder flow when moving ahead vs astern vs slow • How water flow over the rudder affects control compared to the sideways push of the wind

💭 Think About

• In which engine/ship condition does the rudder have the least effective water flow to counteract the sideways force of the wind? • When backing, going slow, turning, or going full ahead, during which case is the vessel’s directional control weakest compared to the wind’s leverage on the hull and superstructure? • Think about when the ship is moving through the water the slowest, and how that changes your ability to resist wind forces.

✅ Before You Answer

• Compare the speed through the water in each option, not just engine orders • Consider when rudder effectiveness is highest (strong water flow over the rudder) versus lowest • Think about a high-sided vessel in a strong crosswind: in which condition would it tend to drift or sheer off the most?