# Just how far off course can a storm push a ship?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-how-far-off-course-can-a-storm-push-a-ship/783665>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [April 3, 2017, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-how-far-off-course-can-a-storm-push-a-ship/783665 "2017-04-03T15:38:35Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 6\
**Page:** 2

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**Author:** ![JKellyMap](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jkellymap/32/15880_2.png) [@JKellyMap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKellyMap)\
**Post date:** [April 5, 2017, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-how-far-off-course-can-a-storm-push-a-ship/783665/21 "2017-04-05T23:16:12Z")

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> [@Fubaya](#):
>
> I guess you could call it unfavorable winds, but he was never off course. He sailed west to avoid the doldrums, he just happened to run into Brazil before he turned south.

Ah, thanks for the correction.

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**Author:** ![Snnipe\_70E](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5a626/32.png) [@Snnipe\_70E](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snnipe_70E)\
**Post date:** [April 6, 2017, 3:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-how-far-off-course-can-a-storm-push-a-ship/783665/22 "2017-04-06T03:58:18Z")

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I was on a steam ship during a major storm. We were rolling 48 degrees. We were headed to San Francisco Bay from Honolulu. The ships heading was towards Seattle but me were making good a course towards Dan Diego.

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**Author:** ![Dr.Strangelove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.strangelove/32/6613_2.png) [@Dr.Strangelove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Strangelove)\
**Post date:** [April 6, 2017, 4:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-how-far-off-course-can-a-storm-push-a-ship/783665/23 "2017-04-06T04:15:18Z")

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> [@Fubaya](#):
>
> (no boat can sail directly upwind).

No traditional sailboat can. However, a boat with a wind turbine-powered propeller can sail directly upwind.

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**Author:** ![mlees](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba8739/32.png) [@mlees](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mlees)\
**Post date:** [April 6, 2017, 1:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-how-far-off-course-can-a-storm-push-a-ship/783665/24 "2017-04-06T13:50:46Z")

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> [@Snnipe\_70E](#):
>
> The ships heading was towards Seattle but me were making good a course towards Dan Diego.

Hey! I know that guy! He has an epic mustache.

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**Author:** ![Snnipe\_70E](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5a626/32.png) [@Snnipe\_70E](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snnipe_70E)\
**Post date:** [April 7, 2017, 4:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-how-far-off-course-can-a-storm-push-a-ship/783665/25 "2017-04-07T04:04:43Z")

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> [@mlees](#):
>
> Hey! I know that guy! He has an epic mustache.

Say what? Does CMA mean anything to you?

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**Author:** ![mlees](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba8739/32.png) [@mlees](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mlees)\
**Post date:** [April 7, 2017, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-how-far-off-course-can-a-storm-push-a-ship/783665/26 "2017-04-07T14:50:58Z")

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> [@Snnipe\_70E](#):
>
> Say what? Does CMA mean anything to you?

Not without googling, no.

Hmmm. Country Music Awards, California Medical Association, Certified Management Accountant, Christian Motorcycles Association, Certified Medical Assistant. I am stumped.

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