| A boat under sail is far different than driving a power | | | | sailing as close to the wind as possible. |
| boat and every sailor needs to know some basic | | | | Close Reach - The next over from the close-hauled |
| points of sail to keep the vessel moving. A quick check | | | | point of sail is the close reach. We achieve that by |
| of the different points will keep your skills sharp and | | | | easing the sheets and turning away roughly 20 |
| technique tuned. | | | | degrees. |
| Here's a quick guide to the different points of sail: | | | | Beam Reach - To many boats, the beam reach is the |
| No Sail Zone - Obviously, it is impossible for a sailboat | | | | fastest point of sail. This is achieved when the boat is |
| to sail directly into the wind. A sailboat heading toward | | | | turned to a position whereby the wind is blowing |
| a destination that is directly upwind must use a zig-zag | | | | directly into the side of the boat. All sails should be |
| course to get to that point. The best that most boats | | | | eased roughly half way out. |
| can sail is 45 degrees of true wind. Some of the | | | | Broad Reach - The broad reach is the first point |
| newer boats can achieve better. Bringing a boat too | | | | whereby the wind is now coming from aft end of the |
| much into the wind will cause the boat to slow then | | | | boat, specifically the port or starboard quarter. The |
| eventually stop. The sails will slap and beat in the wind | | | | sails are now eased well out to maximize containment |
| and the boat will succumb to a position known as "in | | | | of the wind. |
| irons". | | | | Run - This point of sail is essentially a full downwind |
| Close-Hauled - Though its not possible to sail directly | | | | point with the sails set in the wing-and-wing position. |
| into the wind, most modern sail boats can sail upwind | | | | This position is accomplished with the mail sail set all |
| but just off, fairly well. In this point of sail, all sails are | | | | the way out on one side and the head sail set all the |
| positioned tightly sheeted where they are slicing into | | | | way out on the opposite side. A spinnaker is often |
| the oncoming wind. Close-hauled sailing is when you're | | | | used on this point as well. |