Just use the oars and row its a good speed and constant.
WInd direction could depend on the land and biomes I think.
Passing the Mountains seem to have more. As for the wind direction that depends where your sailing to and from.
Wind IRL is formed out at sea by the currents around land mass and tides by the moon.

I've noticed a lot of storm activity now as soon as I set sail on a beautiful sunny morning. Used to be all day sunny and stormy at night.
Miss the exploring by sea in daytime due too much storm activity with fog title waves all the time .