Sail aerodynamics: Understanding pressure distributions on upwind sails

The pressure distributions on upwind sails is discussed and related to the flow field around the headsail and the mast/mainsail. Pressures measured on several horizontal sections of model-scale and full-scale sails are used to provide examples. On the leeward side of the sails, leading edge separation and turbulent reattachment occurs, sometimes followed by trailing edge separation. On the windward side, leading edge separation occurs on the mast/mainsail and, at low angles of attack, it can also occur on the headsail. Differences were found between the leading edge bubbles on the two sails. Pressure trends for different angles of attack are presented, and these can be explained in terms of standard aerodynamic theory, particularly in terms of short and long leading edge separation bubble types. It was found that the pressure distributions measured on mainsails at full- and model-scale showed good agreement on both the windward and leeward sides.

► Pressures on upwind sails are discussed using measurements and aerodynamic theory.
► Leading edge bubbles and trailing edge separations are correlated with pressure distributions.
► Different characteristics of the headsail and mainsail leading edge bubbles are discussed.
► Pressures are discussed for different trims, angles of attack, sail shapes and sail interactions.