Could viking long ships tack into the wind?

Question

Pictures show them with square sails but turned into the beam.

Answer 1

I believe that if they were to put the wind on the beam, haul the mains and quickly head into the wind, they could come round close enough to the eye of the wind where by hauling their sails the other way, they could pass through. Still, it does sound iffy.

Answer 2

not very well ,but yes they could , they also had oars.

Answer 3

yes

Answer 4

If you mean could they swing the bows across the wind, maybe with an assist with the oars but keep in mind the approaching seas (waves) are also going to work against the action. If you mean could they sail to windward, no. The best this rig and boat could do would be a beam reach traveling 90 degrees off the wind, back and forth making no progress.

Answer 5

Yes!

Answer 6

The Viking long boat was primarily a rowing ship that had a square rigged sail for wind assistance when travelling with the wind "abaft of beam".  For the most part, any boat that doesn't have a Marconi (triangular) sail rigged. can't sail to weather.

Answer 7

Tacking by square rigged vessels was not generally done. They jibbed with the wind across the stern. Sailing on this point of sailing could not take place since they didn't have center boards or lee boards to keep them from sliding across the water sideways.

Answer 8

I doubt it a jib sail is needed to tack in most boats. You could pivot the main sail to act like a jib sail but it would be very inefficient and make the boat difficult to steer. as vikikg ships don't have true rudders just oars hanging over the stern. it would be easier for them to pivot the boat with oars or row the boat against the wind with the sail down.