They said it couldn't be done

Sailing directly against the wind

Many people think it is impossible.

Overpowering the force of the wind using the force of the same wind seems hard to believe.
The wind blows directly against the boat with a certain force, but some sort of mechanism converts this force into a greater force
which is used to push the boat directly against the wind that powers it!

Surely this means that a force can somehow be converted into a greater force in the opposite direction.

According to Newton's 3rd law a body when acted upon by a force pushes back with an EQUAL and opposite reaction to that force.

But for this to work the body (our boat) would have to push back with a GREATER and opposite reaction!
But it can do this. (Sorry about that Newton!)

Where would the extra force come from? That is the puzzle.

To progress directly against the wind, using the power of the same wind. The answer is obvious but many people cannot see how it could be done.

The clue is that we see the same process everywhere and all of the time in our daily lives. Force can be multiplied.

Below is a diagram of how it can be done. 

If you look at the diagram below and the associated practical test in real life you should be able to name the process. I'm looking forward to your answers.


  

Below is a real life model which was used to illustrate how it works.

The working model demonstrates two things:

That a boat or car can be powered by a force in exactly the opposite direction to its direction of travel

That a weaker "pull" can be converted into a stronger "push" without the addition of extra energy

There is no trick. Anyone can make the demonstration model. So where does the extra force come from? See this page for further details.

What do you think? I welcome comments from professional and qualified people and would like to enter conversation on this subject Click here for the comments form.