Other mistake: Near the end of the movie, an order is given to fire a cannon shot at the masts of the Pearl and the Dutchman as they have become entangled. We then see a mast being destroyed by the shot but when the ships separate, not one of them has a broken mast.
Other mistake: In numerous shots modern bobbypins (the white kind brides wear on their headdress) are clearly visible inside the curls of the men's white wigs. For instance, they can be seen when Norrington is reunited with his sword; later when he dies; when Beckett talks about the immaterial becoming immaterial; finally, when he says, "It's just good business," as the Pearl and Dutchman fire on Endeavor. The type of 'hair pin' seen in the wig curls did not exist in the mid 18th century.
Other mistake: When Beckett walks through the ship which is being destroyed by cannon fire in slow-motion, you can see things like banisters and railings exploding right by him, and yet no cannonballs are seen, the ship just spontaneously explodes.
Other mistake: After the ship goes over the waterfall, the entire crew is seen crawling from the ocean onto land, completely soaked. However, Mr. Gibbs' beard is completely dry.
Answer: It's suggested that, as she's pretty much equally annoyed at the pirates (for originally imprisoning her, even if it wasn't specifically those pirates) and at Davy Jones (for showing them how to do it), that she creates the maelstrom to make it an even fight - effectively telling them that she no longer cares for either side. The conditions within the maelstrom hamper the Black Pearl, the turbulence making it difficult to bring her superior speed into play, but the angle and extremely damp conditions also make it harder for the Flying Dutchman to bring her superior firepower to bear.
Tailkinker ★
Wrong. As the Black Pearl was meant for speed, she would have a lighter weight than the Dutchman, and would require a pushing force to stay even. Furthermore, she was not hampered by the wind-she was aided, as Gibbs stated, "The wind's on our side, boys!"
Don't think weight had anything to do with it. The Pearl was heavier than the Interceptor, but had no issue catching up with it. The maelstrom took the Pearl's superior speed out of play because they were forced to circle one another. There was no advantage to be gained by outspeeding the Dutchman around the whirlpool, and coming up on its rear. Remember, the Pearl had no forward cannons.
The other side thought they had a favorable wind as well. All the air was being pulled toward the maelstrom in the middle so both sides thought it was at their back allowing them to control the engagement.
Both sides did have favourable winds but for a different reason. It's mentioned in Dead Man's Chest that against the wind the Dutchman is faster but with the wind the Pearl is faster. The Pearl had a favourable wind because it was blowing her sails from the back whilst the Dutchman had a favourable wind because she is faster against it.
The Dutchman is faster against wind because it uses oars to row. They menton to go deeper into the maelstrom to get into faster waters. Thats how they outran the Dutchman and got broadside. It's got nothing to do with the wind.
lionhead
No, the Dutchman doesn't use any oars, you are thinking back to the first film when the Pearl is chasing the Interceptor and they use oars to go faster. Neither ship is fitted with a diesel engine so it has EVERYTHING to do with the wind.
Oh, you're right. I got confused in the 2. Not sure about the diesel engine though. May have one hidden in the back.
lionhead