On Thu, 26 Feb 2004 at 02:43:58 in message
, Teacherjh
wrote:
You can't, however, run before the wind faster than the wind (unless you have
one humongus current)

Yes you can. The ability to do so depends on the relative forces between
the water and the second medium. Sand and Ice yachts can readily
demonstrate a course speed downwind faster that the wind. In effect they
are tacking downwind. If you are being very precise then you cannot run
before the wind faster than the wind because running before the wind
depends only on drag and not on lift.
--
David CL Francis