First, there is a distinction between the port (left) tack and the starboard (right) tack. If the wind is coming from anywhere on the port side, the boat is on port tack. Likewise if the wind is coming from the starboard side, the boat is on starboard tack. Except when head to wind, a boat will be on either port or starboard tack while on any point of sail. For purposes of the racing rules and "rules of the road," the wind is assumed to be coming from the side opposite that which the boom is carried.
Below are some of the terms and techniques of sailing that are followed as per the boat's course in relation to the wind direction :-
HEAD TO WIND
At this point of sail the boat is headed directly into the wind. A boat turns through this point of sail as it performs a tack. The boat is on neither port nor starboard tack. Since a boat cannot sail directly into the wind, if a boat comes head to wind, and loses steerage it is said to be 'in irons,' and may begin to travel slowly backwards. To recover, the jib (headsail) is backed to one side, and the tiller is moved to the same side.
NO-GO ZONE
The boat is pointed too close to the wind for the sails to generate any power (unless they are backed). The sails will be luffing ('flapping') in the breeze and making noise, like a flag.
Here it should be noted that the existence and extension of the No-Go Zone depends a lot on the general characteristics of the sailboat. This fact is applicable to all other techniques but more so noticable in the No-Go Zone.
CLOSE HAULED
A boat is sailing close hauled when its sails are trimmed in tightly and it is sailing as close to the wind as it can without entering the No-Go Zone. This point of sail lets the boat travel diagonally upwind. This is a precise point of sail.
REACHING
When the boat is traveling approximately perpendicular to the wind, this is called reaching. A 'close' reach is somewhat toward the wind, and 'broad' reach is a little bit away from the wind (a 'beam' reach is with the wind precisely at a right angle to the boat). For most modern sailboats, reaching is the fastest way to travel.
CLOSE REACH
This is any upwind angle between Close Hauled and a Beam Reach. 'Fetch' (or 'fetching') is a synonym in many English-speaking countries for a close reach.
BEAM REACH
This is a course steered at right angles to the wind. This is a precise point of sail. Sails are put out at roughly 45 degrees.
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, but not as much as on a run or dead run (downwind run).
RUNNING DOWNWIND
At this point of sail the boat is headed directly into the wind. A boat turns through this point of sail as it performs a tack. The boat is on neither port nor starboard tack. Since a boat cannot sail directly into the wind, if a boat comes head to wind, and loses steerage it is said to be 'in irons,' and may begin to travel slowly backwards. To recover, the jib (headsail) is backed to one side, and the tiller is moved to the same side.
NO-GO ZONE
The boat is pointed too close to the wind for the sails to generate any power (unless they are backed). The sails will be luffing ('flapping') in the breeze and making noise, like a flag.
Here it should be noted that the existence and extension of the No-Go Zone depends a lot on the general characteristics of the sailboat. This fact is applicable to all other techniques but more so noticable in the No-Go Zone.
CLOSE HAULED
A boat is sailing close hauled when its sails are trimmed in tightly and it is sailing as close to the wind as it can without entering the No-Go Zone. This point of sail lets the boat travel diagonally upwind. This is a precise point of sail.
REACHING
When the boat is traveling approximately perpendicular to the wind, this is called reaching. A 'close' reach is somewhat toward the wind, and 'broad' reach is a little bit away from the wind (a 'beam' reach is with the wind precisely at a right angle to the boat). For most modern sailboats, reaching is the fastest way to travel.
CLOSE REACH
This is any upwind angle between Close Hauled and a Beam Reach. 'Fetch' (or 'fetching') is a synonym in many English-speaking countries for a close reach.
BEAM REACH
This is a course steered at right angles to the wind. This is a precise point of sail. Sails are put out at roughly 45 degrees.
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, but not as much as on a run or dead run (downwind run).
RUNNING DOWNWIND
On this point of sail, the wind is coming from directly behind the boat. Because running is the most difficult point of sail for modern yachts, and can be dangerous to those on board in the event of an accidental jibe, it is often called the don't go zone. Modern racing yacht design favors sailing rigs that can point very high to windward, which means a high aspect ratio sail. Downwind performance suffers, but that is overcome by the use of a low aspect ratio spinnaker for running.
The above terms and techniques are the most essential knowledge required about sailing and in understanding the nature of it. A successful sailor is one who is able to be judge the winds and adjust the sails accordingly to exploit the wind - which is afterall the basis of sailing.
As the famous quote goes "You may not be able to change the course of your life, but you can surely adjust your sails..."
