I learned how to sail a boat in summer camp when I was a kid. I'm still very sensitive to wind speed and direction. I can feel where the wind is coming from by comparing the sensations on both of my cheeks or ears. I learned that in sailing, there is a difference between true wind and apparent wind. Our boats had things called telltales hanging on the shrouds. (Shrouds are steel cables holding the mast up.) Telltales are pieces of yarn about two or three inches long. The wind holds them horizontal so they indicate the wind direction. But they lie because the direction of the boat exerts force upon the telltales. So when sailing you have to estimate the difference between apparent wind direction and true wind direction.

How to Read the Wind When Sailing





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