Question 35 Deck General

The correct answer is C) decrease. As a vessel falls off the wind from close-hauled to a beam reach, the tendency for the vessel to move sideways through the water (also known as leeway) will decrease. This is because as the vessel moves away from the close-hauled position, the wind's angle of attack on the vessel's hull becomes more favorable, reducing the sideways force and resulting in less leeway. The other options are incorrect: A) Increase - Incorrect, as the sideways motion decreases as the vessel falls off the wind. B) Change only if the vessel comes about on the opposite tack - Incorrect, as the change in sideways motion occurs regardless of whether the vessel comes about or not. D) Not change - Incorrect, as the sideways motion does in fact decrease as the vessel falls off the wind.