Published online by Cambridge University Press: 04 July 2016
For many years certain similarities between the mechanics of the sailing yacht and of the slow speed aeroplane have been recognised and the wealth of knowledge in the science of “Aerodynamics” has undoubtedly led, by the slow process of evolution, to increased ability of the yacht in skilful hands to beat to windward. Interesting comparisons in this respect have been made by Davidson. But there are essential differences between the yacht and the fixed-wing aircraft, apart from the more obvious ones, which are so profound that a study of yacht dynamics would appear to be worthy of more attention than it has yet been given.