When sailboats are being raced,the speed of the boat has a lot to do with the size and shape of the sails.

What size and shape will catch the most wind and help a sailboat win a regatta (race)?

HYPOTHESIS:

It is a little more complicated than that. One wants the center of force from the wind low, so the boat does not have a large torque trying to captize it. So you see a lot of trianglular sails, to get the force low.