8 ms·

During offshore sailboat races, we just hang off the back.

• somat 2y ago
  An interesting fun fact. On old square rigger sailing ships the toilets(holes really) were at the very front of a ship. this is because the wind is always coming from behind the ship so this keeps the smell from washing over the vessel. This is why toilets on a ship are called the "head" And to add one of those things you can't unsee once you learn about it(sort of the nautical equivalent of font kerning) the flag on a sailing ship should always be fluttering forward for the same reason, the problem is our intuition is built around motor vessels where the vehicle is faster than the wind and does flutter backwards. so it looks wrong and quite a few artists get this incorrect in modern paintings and video games. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QOfC1PEKt1U https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QOfC1PEKt1U
  • LorenzoGood 2y ago
    That's also why the small deck sections that extend forwards off the bow are called poop decks.
    • somat 2y ago
      I suspect, and wikipedia confirms, that is incorrect, but it made me laugh, salutes.
      • LorenzoGood 2y ago
        My father has lied to me.