Points of sail explained: close-hauled to running, plus tacking and gybing

TUREFF• •0

The points of sail describe the angle between the boat's direction and the wind. Every sailing manoeuvre makes sense once you understand them, and they explain the question every beginner asks: how does a sailing boat go anywhere other than downwind?

How a sail drives a boat

A sail works partly like a wing. When the wind blows across it at an angle, the air flowing around its curved shape creates a force pulling the boat sideways and forwards. On its own that would push the boat sideways, but the keel or centreboard under the hull resists sideways movement, so most of the force turns into forward motion. That is how a boat can sail across the wind and even towards it, at an angle. When the wind comes from behind, the sail simply catches it and is pushed along.

The no-go zone

No boat can sail directly into the wind. There is a zone either side of the wind direction, often described as roughly 45 degrees either side for many boats, where the sails just flap. Point the boat into it and it slows and stops. That is the no-go zone, and stopping head to wind is called being "in irons".

The points of sail, from upwind to downwind

Close-hauled: sailing as close to the wind as possible, just outside the no-go zone. Sails pulled in tight, boat heeling, feels fast and lively.
Close reach: turned a little away from the wind. Sails eased out slightly.
Beam reach: wind directly across the side of the boat. Often the fastest and easiest point of sail.
Broad reach: wind coming from behind the beam, over the rear quarter. Sails well out.
Running: wind directly behind. Sails right out. It feels calm because you are moving with the wind, but it is the least stable point and where accidental gybes happen.

Trimming the sails

The rule of thumb is simple: the further you turn away from the wind, the more you let the sails out. The further you turn towards it, the more you pull them in. A good test is to let the sail out until its leading edge starts to flutter, then pull it in just until it stops. Many sails have small ribbons, called telltales, that show whether the air is flowing smoothly.

Turning: tacking and gybing

To change from wind on one side of the boat to the other, you turn either through the wind or away from it. Tacking is turning the bow through the wind. You use it to make progress upwind, by zig-zagging: close-hauled on one side, tack, close-hauled on the other. The sails flap for a moment as you pass through the no-go zone, then fill on the other side. It is the gentler of the two turns, and you need enough speed to carry the boat through. A typical call sequence:

"Ready about": crew get ready.
"Lee-oh" or "Tacking": the helm turns into the wind.
Crew release the working sheet and pull in the other as the boat turns.

Gybing is turning the stern through the wind, used when sailing downwind. The wind gets behind the mainsail and swings the boom across the boat, often fast and with force. That makes it the turn that needs most care:

"Stand by to gybe": everyone ready, heads low.
"Gybe-oh": the helm turns, the mainsail is controlled across rather than allowed to slam.

An accidental gybe, when the wind catches the back of the sail on a run without anyone meaning it, is a common cause of injury from the boom. Sailing slightly off a dead run, on a broad reach, reduces the risk.

How to practise

Learn to read the wind first: flags, ripples on the water, the feel on your face and the masthead indicator.
Sail a triangle in light wind: a reach, a beat upwind with tacks, a run back with a gybe.
Call out which point of sail you are on as you turn.

Which point of sail clicked last for you, or do gybes still make you nervous? Share your questions and experiences in the comments below.