If the pivot point is forward of the stern, which end experiences the wind's lever arm most?

Master the Navigation, Seamanship, and Shiphandling (NSS) – Officer of the Deck (OOD) Phase 2 Exam with engaging flashcards and multiple choice questions, complete with hints and explanations. Prepare comprehensively for your test!

Multiple Choice

If the pivot point is forward of the stern, which end experiences the wind's lever arm most?

The turning effect from wind about a pivot depends on the distance from the pivot to where the wind’s force acts. If the pivot is forward of the stern, the pivot sits closer to the bow and farther from the stern. The stern ends up with the larger lever arm, so the wind’s force there creates the greater moment about the pivot. The bow has a shorter lever arm, producing a smaller moment. So the stern experiences the wind’s lever arm most.

The turning effect from wind about a pivot depends on the distance from the pivot to where the wind’s force acts. If the pivot is forward of the stern, the pivot sits closer to the bow and farther from the stern. The stern ends up with the larger lever arm, so the wind’s force there creates the greater moment about the pivot. The bow has a shorter lever arm, producing a smaller moment. So the stern experiences the wind’s lever arm most.

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