Live Streaming: Great Adventure in the Wilderness

There are many ways to reach a destination; it's not always a matter of one or the other.

There are no landforms between Easter Island and Nemo Point, just a wide expanse of ocean, but this doesn't mean Bi Fang has to sail in a straight line.

The purpose of sails is to harness various types of wind to gain a useful forward thrust.

When sailing with the wind or a side wind, one only needs to adjust the sail's direction to obtain the useful forward thrust.

When encountering a side contrary wind with a small angle, it's also possible to adjust the direction of sail to convert the side and rearward wind into side and forward force, advancing in a zigzagging course.

[Indeed]

[So, we're actually not heading in the direction of Nemo Point right now?]

[Clearly, that's the case]

[It's time to zigzag!]

"Zigzagging into the wind is not exclusive to triangular or square sails; ancient and medieval square-rigged sails, as well as modern square-rigged sails, can sail under side contrary winds, though the angles are more limited."

"By contrast, square sails, being hung on just one side, allow for greater adjustments to the wind direction, thus enabling sailing at greater angles."

"When the side contrary wind is at such a large angle that the direct wind no longer suffices, one must consider using the tangential wind's pulling force."

"According to the Bernoulli effect, square-rigged sails, fore-and-aft sails, diagonal yard sails, and triangular sails can achieve greater pulling force, whereas square-rigged sails have almost no Bernoulli effect force."

"However, the tangential pulling force is not strong compared to the forward force, and it also causes significant damage to the sails, so it is a reserved ability, only used in extreme situations."

"When Lord with the Imperial Surname recaptured the Taiwan Strait, the Dutch ship Maria, a diagonal yard sail ship, set sail against the monsoon, and by the time it reached Batavia, the sails were basically ruined."

"Joseph Needham once summarized the sailing angles of various sails; within 45 degrees, the ability to sail is basically dependent on side contrary winds, and headwinds, theoretically, are impossible to sail against with sails."

Modern yacht racing is essentially a competition of extreme technical complexity.

To achieve ultimate speed, competitors need a comprehensive understanding and control over the wind, ensuring their sails get the maximum thrust, and they also need good physical strength to handle the sails over the course of the lengthy races.

[I previously thought sailing boats were just stylish, without realizing there's so much to it]

[Master Fang knows so much more.]

[Who is Joseph Needham, and who is Lord with the Imperial Surname?]

[Joseph Needham is a scientist from Central Country, his 'Needham's Question' along with 'Ben's Question' are among the core topics in the field of Huaxia studies]

[It's understandable not to know Joseph Needham, but not knowing Lord with the Imperial Surname is a bit ignorant]

Triangular sails are more advantageous for sailing against the wind for two main reasons: First, as a type of square sail, triangular sails are asymmetric on both sides, which means they are subjected to twice the directional force compared to square sails, allowing them to sail at angles suitable for fore-and-aft sails, hence having a larger sailing range than square sails.

Additionally, they can utilize the tangential wind, which naturally makes them the most suitable sail type for sailing against the wind among traditional sails.

This is also why Bi Fang had triangular sails installed.

"However, by the end of the Middle Ages and in modern times, Arab triangular sailboats like the Beck carried the Barbary Pirates in conquests far and wide, marking the last glory of the Latin sail, and with the advancement of European shipbuilding and gunnery technology, it declined with the fall of the Barbary Pirates at the end of the modern era."

"By the 19th century, the Indian Ocean was dominated by diagonal yard sails."

"By the 20th century, Arab tycoons began a flamboyant retro movement, holding dhow sporting events to preserve the heritage."

With plenty of food and two desalination devices constantly distilling water, it was Bi Fang's first time being so well-prepared for an adventure. He didn't quite know what to do and could only give his viewers a simple introduction to the history of sailing.

[I guess you haven't fought such a well-supplied battle before, huh? (laughs)]

Bi Fang laughed and pointed at the fluttering lines on the sail.

"If you don't have a wind direction indicator at the top of your mast, then tie some old cassette tape, videotape, or twine around the shroud—the rope that raises the mast. They will tell you where the wind is blowing."

"However, some sailors have found tape to be too sensitive to the wind and therefore not quite suitable. If you encounter the same issue, you could try using videotape or twine."

"Of course, you can also directly feel the wind direction, learn to judge the wind direction with your ears."

"All you have to do is let the wind blow on your back, then slowly turn your head left and right until you feel 'balanced' in both ears. Once you've found that point, you'll know the wind direction. With this method, you don't need your eyes to track the wind."

[No wonder, I was wondering why Old Fang tied ropes on the bow. I thought it was some kind of marker.]

[Another fine detail.]

[Bullfrog, bullfrog!]

"For centuries, the ocean has deeply attracted sailors and explorers."

"In the poem 'Sea Fever,' John Masefield said he needed 'a tall ship and a star to steer her by' to feel the fullness of life."

"But entering the world of sailing is undoubtedly challenging, with its many intricacies. In the past, an experienced sailor was an extremely valuable strategic resource."

Bi Fang threaded the fishhook with a small fish and cast it into the sea.

Taking advantage of not yet fully entering the South Pacific Gyre, with plenty of fish nearby, he could still enjoy the fun of fishing. Otherwise, in a couple of days, he might not have this experience anymore.

Evening.

Bi Fang reeled in his fishing line.

Having sailed for nearly six hours, all Bi Fang could do during this time was to adjust the sail direction and check if there were any fish biting.

Luckily, as it was the first day of sailing, the number of viewers in the live stream remained above six million, with peak figures even surpassing ten million.

The wind on the sea had died down a lot, and the vast ocean looked utterly still, involuntarily reminding people of the destination of this voyage.

The feeling was strange; despite both being sea voyages, this one seemed lonelier than the Atlantic trip, with an ineffable eeriness.

[Speaking of which, why is it called Nemo Point? Is it named after its discoverer?]

[It always reminds me of the clownfish from Finding Nemo.]

"The origin of the name Nemo Point is quite profound. Many people might first think of the clownfish from 'Finding Nemo' when they see 'Nemo,' but that's obviously not the case."

"But those who have read 'Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea' will never forget the steadfast and daring Captain Nemo, and Nemo Point is named in homage to Captain Nemo."

"More aptly, in Latin, 'Nemo' means 'no one,' and for such a solitary location, it undoubtedly is a very fitting name."