Courses of a sailboat relative to the direction of the wind; the sailboat navigates portside or starboardside, depending on which side the wind is coming from.
Points of sailing in between a full and by and a down wind; the sails swing farther and farther from the boat’s center line.
on the wind
Points of sailing in between a headwind and a close reach that are used especially when tacking; the sails are near the boat’s center line.
beam reach
Points of sailing in between a full and by and a down wind; the sails swing farther and farther from the boat’s center line.
on the wind
Point of sailing of a sailboat sailing against the wind, with its sail at an angle of about 45°.
close hauled
Point of sailing of a sailboat traveling near the wind’s eye (axis), with its sail at an angle of about 45°; close hauled is the limit of sailing against the wind.
headwind
Wind blowing against the sailboat’s course; it is impossible to make headway.
wind abeam
Point of sailing of a sailboat traveling at right angles to the wind.
close reach
Point of sailing in which the sailboat comes up against the wind, with its sail at an angle of about 70°.
down wind
Point of sailing of a boat going in the same direction as the wind.
full and by
Point of sailing of a sailboat going against the wind, with its sail at an angle of about 60°.
broad reach
Fastest point of sailing, in between a beam reach and a down wind; the angle between the boat and the eye (axis) of the wind is wide.
beam reach
Point of sailing in between a wind abeam and a broad reach; the sailboat navigates by following the wind at an angle of about 135°.
