Working sails

The mainsail plus the standard (working) jib — the boat's all-round sail wardrobe for moderate conditions.

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Related W-terms

Wind generator

A mast- or pole-mounted propeller-driven turbine that converts apparent-wind energy into b…

Windward side

The side of the boat facing the wind.

Waterline

The line on the hull where it meets the water surface at the design load.

Weather routing

The practice — today usually software-assisted using GRIB forecasts and the boat's polars …

Weather helm

The boat's tendency to turn into the wind if the helm is released; some is desirable for f…

Working sheet

The leeward sheet carrying load — the one actually trimming the sail at that moment.

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