Rigid Sail
The rigid sail of a racing boat measures 2,800 square feet - about the same size as the wing of an airplane. The two also have a similar shape: a wide, rigid edge at the front that narrows to a thin edge at the back. Low pressure is created on the leeward side of the wing, contrasting with the high pressure on the windward side allowing the boat’s sail to be lifted forward much like an airplane wing.