Is tacking upwind faster than paddling?

[Kaladin78]

In real life sailing, tacking upwind is faster than almost any other form of propulsion, but real life sloops can sail much closer to the wind than the Valheim Longship. So is taking a zig-zag path upwind at close to full speed faster than just heading straight into the wind and paddling? Or is the direct path better?

Edit: Aight, so seems the prevailing answer is "it depends". In my experience, tacking has usually been faster, but I've never had to tack in a narrow channel or in a storm, so Ima just agree with everyone.

[Weaver]

Depends on the craft, the weather, how direct into the wind you are talking about, and how much room you have to tack. If you're somewhere fairly narrow and have to change direction every five seconds it's definitely slower than paddling, for example.

[grapplehoeker]

Personally, it depends on the weather at sea...
If it is calm, then I prefer to go full speed and tack, because then I can see clearly and be able to spot hazards such as sand banks, rocky outcrops or serpents.
If it is stormy, then I will paddle and hope for a shift in wind direction or an end to the storm.

[RasaNova]

Yeah I agree with those above. Depends on weather and wind. If the wind is dead-center blowing at you from the front, I think tacking is still faster but if its stormy better to paddle. But most of the time the wind is off-center from a direct path to your destination, so if it's a narrow angle I'll just try to keep the wind indicator as close to the "black" as possible while staying lit, and correct course once I get closer.

[Dialtone]

It depends on how much room you have, if you don't have to make very many turns it's better. Plus if you raise your sail just as it goes slack you can turn faster in paddle mode with the rudder set turn full turn, then set the sail and straighten out quickly once you pass through the headwind.

[[PVP] Boss Prime]

Paddle, watch the wind meter in the minimap and practice changing to paddle so you don't lose velocity.

[Kaladin78]

Originally posted by Anarchist Jurisdictor:

Due to the slow turn rate IMO it's just gonna be faster to paddle/tiller

You only turn slowly if you keep your sail up while turning through the wind. I just start paddling while my turn is happening, then put my sail up when I get through the turn. It makes the turn far faster.