You are drifting in a locale where there is...

🔍 Key Concepts

• How a vessel naturally lies to the wind when not making way and with no current • Relationship between underwater profile (keel, rudder, hull shape) and the way the vessel points into or away from the wind • Difference between how a vessel lies when drifting freely versus when anchored or underway

💭 Think About

• Picture a typical displacement-hull power or sail vessel stopped in open water in a steady breeze — which part of the boat offers the most resistance in the water, and how does that affect which end points toward the wind? • Think about which end of the vessel (bow or stern) has more lateral resistance under water and which end has more windage (area exposed to the wind) above water. • Compare how a boat behaves if you shut off all engines and let go of the wheel in a calm sea with only wind acting on it — what attitude does it commonly take relative to the wind?

✅ Before You Answer

• Be clear that the question says drifting in no current – only the wind is acting horizontally on the hull. • Consider the combined effect of windage above the waterline and drag area below the waterline on the vessel’s heading. • Eliminate any options that would be unstable in a steady wind for most conventional vessels (not special hull forms).

You are drifting in a locale where there is no current. As a rule, your vessel will lie __________.

beam to the wind

bow to the wind

with the wind on the quarter

stern to the wind

🔍 Key Concepts

💭 Think About

✅ Before You Answer