What is the best shape for a sailboat? How does turbulence affect a sailboat's movement through the water? Is it true that some sailboats can sail faster upwind than downwind? Authoritative yet accessible, this is the perfect work for those sailors who want to enhance their understanding and enjoyment of life at sea. It will enable readers to better grasp how sails, keels, and hulls work together to keep seafarers afloat, and will sharpen their skills with a more subtle and thorough appreciation of why various boat design features are present and why certain tactics work in certain situations. Anderson, a professor of physics at Kent State University and an avid sailor, outlines the science behind sailing in such a way that anyone can understand and benefit from without having to trudge through a physics text or become a marine engineer. Concepts are conveyed simply, concisely, and with many examples and illustrations. With the help of this invaluable book, sailors will be better prepared to handle any situations that might arise on the water.