Broach – Definition and Pronunciation
What is Broach?
The condition of a boat when it suddenly turns sideways to the wind. This usually happens when sailing downwind with too much sail, in heavy weather, or with a spinnaker at its upper wind range. The result is a loss of steerage and a possible capsize.
Examples of Broach
Running downwind before large waves can be dangerous because of broaching. In a broach, the stern is lifted by the following seas and the bow goes down.
From “More Sailing Knowledge and Skills”.
The cutaway forefoot is a faster, more maneuverable design that will have fewer tendencies to trip or broach when running under storm conditions than a more traditional type of full keel boat. Having the rudder mounted slightly above and protected by the full length of the keel and the propeller enclosed in an aperture offers the best protection against damage from collision with submerged or floating objects.
From “The Evolution of Boat Design”.
The schooner can also be nasty to steer downwind, unless the main is reefed down early to balance the boat and prevent a broach. The schooner is probably the most versatile of the rigs because of the variety of sails that can be set. If only working sails are compared, it is usually superior to the other sail plans on a reach.
From “Comprehensive Collection of Common Sailboat Rig Types and Designs”.
Pronunciation of Broach
