Definition

1. Noun:
   • The quality of a sailing vessel that enables it to sail close to the wind with minimal sideways drift (leeway), even in strong winds. This is a technical nautical term describing a ship's seaworthiness and efficiency in sailing against or near the direction of the wind.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The classic yacht's design was praised for its exceptional weatherliness, allowing it to make good progress to windward.
  • A key factor in the race was the weatherliness of the competing sloops.
  • Naval architects strive to improve a vessel's weatherliness without sacrificing speed.

Advanced Usage

• "To demonstrate weatherliness": to show the ability to sail well to windward.
  • The new hull design is expected to demonstrate superior weatherliness in testing.
• Comparative and Superlative Forms: While "weatherliness" is a noun, the related adjective "weatherly" can be used comparatively (e.g., ).

Variants and Related Words

• Weatherly (adj): (of a ship) having the quality of weatherliness; able to sail close to the wind.
  • The cutter is a very weatherly craft.
• Weather helm (n): A related nautical term referring to the tendency of a vessel to turn into the wind, which is connected to its balance and weatherliness.

Synonyms

• Windward ability: The capability to sail effectively toward the wind.
• To-windward performance: A phrase describing how well a vessel sails against the wind.

Antonyms

• Leewardliness: (A less common, constructed antonym) The tendency to drift excessively downwind.
• Poor windward performance: Inability to sail close to the wind effectively.

Related Phrases and Idioms

• "To hold a good windward position": A phrase describing the result of good weatherliness.
  • Thanks to its weatherliness, the schooner could hold a good windward position throughout the storm.
• "To make little leeway": To drift minimally sideways, which is the direct result of weatherliness.
  • A weatherly ship makes little leeway even when close-hauled.

Noun

1. (of a sailing vessel) the quality of being able to sail close to the wind with little drift to the leeward (even in a stiff wind)
   • the Spanish ships had superior speed and weatherliness