| You are bound for a pristine anchorage 10 miles to the | | | | higher wind. When you sail into a dark patch, the wind |
| north. But now the wind has shifted to the northwest, | | | | will shift toward your stern. Take advantage of these |
| so you will need to beat the rest of the way. You | | | | "lifts" to point higher, sail faster, and make more |
| need to make it to that anchorage before sunset--only | | | | progress toward your destination. |
| a few hours away! Follow these easy steps to learn | | | | 3. Tack on Sustained Headers |
| the secrets of how to sail a boat to a windward | | | | Remember your objective--to stay on that tack that |
| destination faster than ever before. | | | | keeps you moving closest to your destination. In our |
| Most small cruising sailboats can point within 45 to 50 | | | | scenario, you are on port tack with the wind out of the |
| degrees of the true wind. Add food, water, fuel, sailing | | | | northwest. But if the wind shifts toward the north--or to |
| gear, and other cruising provisions and your pointing | | | | the right--it will move closer to the bow ("head") of |
| ability could suffer even more. Use these three | | | | your boat. |
| secrets to get to any windward landfall in the most | | | | Sailors call these wind shifts "headers", and you will |
| efficient way every time: | | | | tack on a header to keep moving toward your |
| 1. Choose the Longest Tack | | | | destination. Before you tack, make sure the new wind |
| Start out on the longest tack that will take you closest | | | | direction stays steady for at least 30 seconds. Then, |
| to your target destination. You will often find that the | | | | tack the boat right away to keep moving toward your |
| wind blows to one side of a windward objective. In our | | | | goal. |
| scenario, the wind blows from the northwest. Which | | | | Use these three secret strategies to learn how to sail |
| tack would you choose? Sail the port tack first. This | | | | a boat better than ever before. Experience the thrill |
| tack will take you on the longer leg, closer to your goal. | | | | and satisfaction of a faster, more efficient passage to |
| 2. Point Higher on Lifts | | | | any windward destination that lies just over your |
| Watch the water for telltale signs of higher wind gusts. | | | | horizon. |
| Dark patches of ruffled water indicate an area of | | | | |