The lift contains a sideways force and a small forward force. Trimming the sails efficiently produces the most forward force and the least resistance. A sailboat would slide sideways with the wind if it did not have a centerboard or keel underneath the hull . The flow of water over the underwater surfaces creates lift, too-a sideways force countering the force of the wind. The combination of these forces pushes the boat forward.
Keelboats have a haevy concentration of weight, usually lead, in their keels.
As the boat heels, the weight of the keel pulls back down. Since centerboard boats don't have heavy keels, the crew must use their weight to counteract the heeling forces. If you get too fat out of position, you risk a capsize. Brad Dellenbaugh is an offshore sailing coach at the U.S. Naval Academy, as well as a freelance artist and writer. An active one-design racer on the national and world level, Brad also teaches clinics and seminars to sailors of all ages.