Apparent Wind Speed Meaning in Sailing

Apparent wind speed is the velocity of the wind measured from a moving boat. This speed increases as the boat moves faster into the direction of the wind. A crew member looks at the digital display to monitor the current wind velocity. The apparent wind speed determines how much pressure the sails must hold safely. If a boat sails away from the wind, the apparent speed will decrease. A skipper reduces the sail area when the apparent wind speed hits high levels. This measurement helps the team decide which sails are best for the racing conditions. Maintaining a safe speed prevents the mast from breaking under the heavy wind load.