Points of Sail
A Point of Sail is a sailing vessels direction of travel under sail in relation to the true wind direction over the surface of the water. The main points of sail are figured in roughly 45º segments of a 360º circle and 0º pointing directly into the wind.
3 Basic Points of Sail:
Close Hauled - (also called “sailing to windward”, “upwind sailing” or “beating”) – sailing with the front of the boat (bow) as close as possible to the direction the wind is coming from without the sails luffing. Usually this would be 45º either side of 0º. Most boats can sail with in about 45º to 50º degrees of the wind. The sail(s) are trimmed in tightly to the center of the boat acting much like a airplane wing.
Reaching – sailing with the wind coming across the side (Beam) of the boat. The sails are part way out. A beam reach is the fastest and easiest point of sail.
Running - (also called “downwind”) – sailing with the wind coming from behind (Aft) the boat. The sails are out. With the wind coming from behind the boat, the main sail is way out. Because the wind is coming from behind the boat however, the jib would be blocked from the wind if it were on the same side as the main. By sailing “wing and wing” both sails can be effective.
**Important Note: you cannot sail directly toward the wind (This is called “In Irons” or “No-Go Area”).
Points of sail: Different terms are used for the different points of sail, and the sails must be trimmed into different positions for different points of sail.
Consider the diagram above, which shows the basic points of sail for different boat directions relative to the wind. Here, the wind is blowing from the top of the diagram (North). A sailboat sailing close to the wind on either side (toward the northwest at 45º or northeast at 45º) is close hauled. Sailing directly across the wind (due west or due east) is called a beam reach. Off the wind (to the southwest or southeast) is called a broad reach. Directly downwind (due south) is called running.
When sailing as close to the wind as possible, with the sails trimmed in all the way, you are close-hauled or beating. As you bear off, steering away from the wind, you will ease your sails as you sail onto a close reach, then a beam reach (where the wind is blowing over the side, or beam, of the boat), then a broad reach. When you are sailing directly away from the wind, you are sailing on a run with your sails eased all the way out. If you continue to turn, you will gybe, so that you are on a run with your sails on the opposite side of the boat. As you gradually head up, turning toward the wind, you will need to trim your sails to keep them from luffing as you sail onto a broad reach, then a beam reach, close reach, and finally back up to close-hauled.
Lets look at one more point of sail that is crutual to your accomplishing the destination in which you are trying to obtain.
NO GO ZONE: (In Irons) This is the area in which your sails will begin to luff and you will loose forward momentum and eventually come to a stop. Just before you enter this area you must Tack to either starboard or port in order to continue your course in relation wind.
