Truth or Fiction...

[Black Syren]

I have read in a book that in certain instances sails were made wet to increase the speed of the vessel? Is this true? And if so when could that have been useful or rather what kinds of weather conditions and what speed could they really get from a maunuver? Another knot or two? _The Siren

[hitman]

To the best of my knowledge(i.e. historical accounts not actual sea fareing) it's correct but as to it's practical spec's(who what when where why) I can not speak with the authority of an old salt however my understanding is it was for light airs.

[Black Syren]

Thank ye kindly Hitman. I just wanted to be sure I had me facts straight.

Have a bottle of rum on me..

[DocF225]

Aye tis true, by dampening the canvas the fibres swell and thereby tightening the weave. This catches lighter breezes better. The downside is that wetting and drying canvas over and over again speeds it's aging process which lossens the weave and requires more wetting.

[Black Syren]

Ahh thank you...What about colored canvas..like blue sails or even black? Would that make the canvas heavier and less reliable for speedy sailing?

[the Royaliste]

Ahh thank you...What about colored canvas..like blue sails or even black? Would that make the canvas heavier and less reliable for speedy sailing?

Really dark canvas(dacron) in this world produces tons'o heat, so...unless ye be sailin' the roarin' forties a lot, the damage caused your vessel might not be worth the concept...Some ways 'o the sea have considerable centuries worth 'o trial and error....Also, the UV factor'd remove the more vivid depth 'o color soon enuff :)

[Black Syren]

Intresting..Thanks you all so very much.