Points of sail is the term used to describe a sailboat's orientation to the wind.
First, there is a distinction between the port tack and the starboard tack. This indicates which side of the boat the wind is coming from. With the exception of Head To Wind, a boat will be on either port or starboard tack while on any point of sail.
The points of sail are as follows:
- Head To Wind - also known as In Irons. The boat is stuck pointing directly into the wind and is not under control. It is also probably drifting backwards. The boat is on neither port nor starboard tack. To escape, try hauling the jib (headsail) to one side of the boat, and moving the tiller to the opposite side.
- No Go Zone - The boat is pointed too close to the wind for the sails to generate any power. The sails will be flapping (luffing) in the breeze and making noise, like a flag.
- Close Hauled - This is the closest to the wind that a boat can sail. The sails are trimmed in as tightly as possible. This point of sail lets the boat travel diagonally upwind. This is a precise point of sail.
- Close Reach - This is any upwind angle between Close Hauled and a Beam Reach.
- Beam Reach - The wind is coming perpendicular to the boat. This is a precise point of sail.
- Broad Reach - The wind is coming from behind the boat at an angle. This represents a range of wind angles between Beam Reach and Running Downwind. The sails are eased out away from the boat as much as possible.
- Running Downwind - The wind is coming from directly behind the boat. This is a precise point of sail. On a sloop-rigged boat, this is a dangerous point of sail, as the boat can gybe accidentally. The mainsail is eased out as far as it will go. The jib is either collapsed because the mainsail blocks its wind or it is poled out on the windward side of the boat.
