NationMaster - Encyclopedia: Points of sail

Points of sail is the term used to describe a sailing boat's course in relation to the wind direction.

First, there is a distinction between the port tack and the starboard 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. With the exception of 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. Image File history File links Points_of_sail. ... Image File history File links Points_of_sail. ... Port is the nautical term (used on boats and ships) that refers to the left side of a ship, as perceived by a person facing towards the bow (the front of the vessel). ... A view of the Starboard side of the Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS Ross Starboard is the nautical term that refers to the right side of a vessel as perceived by a person on board the ship and facing the bow (front). ...

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. In a single sailed boat the "push, push, pull, pull" technique (i.e. "push" the boom towards the wind, "push" the tiller away, and then "pull" the boom and tiller back to their normal positions) can be used which sails the boat backwards and steers the stern towards the wind. This results in the bow being pushed away from the wind and out of the no-go zone. Sailboats are usually put head to wind when raising or lowering sails. In this case, auxiliary (motorized) sailboats will typically be under power (engine running). Tack is a term, that depending on its application has several different meanings. ... A typical jib on a small yacht A jib is a triangular staysail set ahead of the foremost mast of a sailing boat. ... A tiller or till is a lever attached to a rudder post (American terminology) or rudder stock (English terminology) of a boat in order to provide the leverage for the helmsman to turn the rudder. ...

No-Go Zone

The boat is pointed too close to the wind for the sails to generate any power (unless they are backed, see above). The sails will be luffing ("flapping") in the breeze and making noise, like a flag.

The size of the no-go zone will differ based on the performance characteristics of the particular sailboat. For example, racing sailboats can usually sail much closer to the wind (i.e., fewer degrees off the wind direction) than cruising yachts. This is known as "pointing higher." Pointing ability is very important for racing sailboats as the real goal in a race is almost always velocity made good (VMG). VMG is the speed at which the boat is approaching the destination (usually a buoy or mark) as opposed to the speed at which the boat is moving through the water (boat speed). These two speeds almost always vary because, during a race, a boat usually cannot sail directly to the next mark. VMG may also refer to the upwind vector of boat speed (this is often the VMG expressed on sailing instruments). A sea lion on navigational buoy #14 in San Diego Harbor Green can #11 near the mouth of the Saugatuck river. ... // Mark may refer to: Curse and mark of Cain, Cains inability to cultivate crops and the necessity that he led a nomadic lifestyle Gospel of Mark, one of the books of the Bible Mark the Evangelist (Saint Mark) Mark of the Beast, a sign or number mentioned in the... In physics and in vector calculus, a spatial vector, or simply vector, is a concept characterized by a magnitude and a direction. ...

If a sailboat is tacking and turning into the wind with sufficient speed to complete the tack, when the boat is facing into the wind, the tacking boat is "luffing" but, due to forward speed, is still turning under control.

If the boat attempts to tack with a slow initial speed, or otherwise stops forward motion while heading into the wind, the sailboat is said to be "in irons." Since there is no speed (no water flow past the rudder) there is no normal control of the direction of the boat, and it tends to drift directly backwards. To recover from this situation, the jib or forward most sail, can be backed (tightened and pushed out) on the side that is the desired tack until the boat is at a sufficient angle to the wind for sailing, and/or the rudder can be turned to the side that is the desired tack (the tiller pointed in the desired direction that you wish to go) and held until the boat is at the correct angle to the wind and resumes forward motion.

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. However, the exact angle relative to the wind direction varies from boat to boat. A boat is considered to be "pinching" if the helmsman tries to sail above an efficient close-hauled course and the sails begin to luff slightly. Image File history File links Shrike-port-beam. ... Image File history File links Shrike-port-beam. ...

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. Different boats have different performance characteristics -- on some boats, the Image File history File links Shrike-reaching. ... Image File history File links Shrike-reaching. ...

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. A jibe or gybe is when a sailing boat (yacht) turns its stern through the wind, such that the direction of the wind changes from one side of the boat to the other. ... The low aspect ratio wing of a Piper PA-28 Cherokee In aerodynamics, the aspect ratio is an airplanes wings span divided by its standard mean chord (SMC). ... It has been suggested that gennaker be merged into this article or section. ...

When running, the mainsail is eased out as far as it will go. The jib will collapse because the mainsail blocks its wind, and must either be lowered and replaced by a spinnaker or set instead on the windward side of the boat. Running with the jib to windward is known as gull wing, goose wing or wing and wing. A genoa gull-wings well, especially if stabilized by a whisker pole, which is similar to, but lighter than a spinnaker pole. In 'non-extras' or 'no flying sails' class races where spinnakers are not permitted, poled-out genoas are often used when running downwind. A genoa (pronounced like the city, or as jenny) is a type of large jib-sail used on bermuda rigged craft, commonly the single-masted sloop and twin-masted boats such as yawl and ketch. ... A spinnaker pole is a spar used in sailboats (both dinghys and yachts) to help support and control a variety of headsails, particularly the spinnaker. ...

Cruising yachtsmen, when running downwind, will often set either a poled-out genoa or a pole-less cruising 'chute (or gennaker). When running downwind for protracted periods, for example when ocean-crossing in steady trade winds, cruisers sometimes set twin poled-out jibs without a mainsail. All of these options are more stable and require less trimming effort than a spinnaker. A gennaker is a downwind sail that can be described as a cross between a genoa and a spinnaker. ... The trade winds are a pattern of wind found in bands around Earths equatorial region. ...

Steering is difficult when running because there is often little or no pressure on the tiller to provide feedback to the helmsman, so the boat may easily go off course. This tendency to turn off course when running can be dangerous, as the boat is least stable and can jibe accidentally if the lee side of the sail catches the wind. A preventer can be used on yachts to avoid this. Another problem with running in modern high aspect rigs is the fact that having the sail set at right angles to the wind guarantees a stall, and the stalled out wing sheds 'bubbles' of turbulence. Combined with the sea- and steering-induced rolling of the boat, this can build up a rolling resonance and lead to a broach or a death roll. A Preventer is a mechanical device on a sailing vessel which limits the booms ability to swing dangerously across the boat during an accidental gybe. ... In fluid dynamics, turbulence or turbulent flow is a flow regime characterized by chaotic, stochastic property changes. ... This article is about resonance in physics. ... Broaching is a sudden change in heading angle of a sailboat, caused by a number of wind/sail interactions. ... Death roll is a term used by dinghy racing sailors to describe a capsize where the mast hits the water first with the boom and sail pointing outward, still catching the wind, causing the craft to rotate nose-first into the water. ...

Square rigged ships, since the sails develop lift off the top edges of the sails, and so are not necessarily stalled even on a dead run, are far better at running, since the conditions that lead to broaching are not present. They still, however, are difficult to keep on course, and require constant attention at the helm; when sailing on a reaching course, the boat is in a stable state, and it is possible to tie off the wheel and still maintain a steady course. Main-mast of a square-rigged ship, with all square sails set except the course. ...

Broaching is a sudden change in heading angle of a sailboat, caused by a number of wind/sail interactions. ... A team at the 2005 ISAF Team Racing World Championship narrowly avoids capsizing. ... Death roll is a term used by dinghy racing sailors to describe a capsize where the mast hits the water first with the boom and sail pointing outward, still catching the wind, causing the craft to rotate nose-first into the water. ... Heeling is the angular rotation or lean caused by the winds force on the sails of a sailing boat or a sailing ship. ... In sailing, hiking is the action of moving the sailors body weight as far to windward (upwind) as possible, in order to counteract the force of the wind pushing sideways against the boats sails. ... A jibe or gybe is when a sailing boat (yacht) turns its stern through the wind, such that the direction of the wind changes from one side of the boat to the other. ... A Musto Skiff, planing on a fast reach A planing boats hull skims across the surface of the water rather than pushing through the water in the way a traditional displacement hull works. ... Reefed mainsail on a Bavaria 36 yacht, genoa fully rolled up. ... Tack is a term used in sailing that has different meanings in different contexts. ... A 49er with both skipper and crew on the trapeze In Sailing, the trapeze refers to a wire that comes from a point high on the mast, usually where the shrouds are fixed, to a hook on the crew members harness at approximately waist level. ... A jibe or gybe is when a sailing boat (yacht) turns its stern through the wind, such that the direction of the wind changes from one side of the boat to the other. ...

Category: Sailing manoeuvres A gaff-rigged cutter flying a mainsail, staysail and genoa jib For other uses, see Sail (disambiguation). ... This article is about the convenience store. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... In sailing, a course sail is the principal sail on a mast. ... A driver is a kind of sail used on some sailboats. ... In sailing, an extra is a sail that is not part of the working sail plan. ... A genoa (pronounced like the city, or as jenny) is a type of large jib-sail used on bermuda rigged craft, commonly the single-masted sloop and twin-masted boats such as yawl and ketch. ... A gennaker is a downwind sail that can be described as a cross between a genoa and a spinnaker. ... A typical jib on a small yacht A jib is a triangular staysail set ahead of the foremost mast of a sailing boat. ... A lateen (from Latin) is a triangular sail set on a long yard mounted at an angle on the mast, and running in a fore-and-aft direction. ... A mainsail is the most important sail raised from the main (or only) mast of a sailing vessel. ... Also known as a skysail or moonraker. ... A royal is a sail flown immediately above the topgallant, below the skysail on the royal mast on square rigged sailing ships. ... A spanker is either of two kinds of sail. ... It has been suggested that gennaker be merged into this article or section. ... A form of sailing rig mainly employed on the Thames Sailing Barge, which uses two similarly sized spars to form the framework for the sail area. ... A staysail is a fore-and-aft rigged sail whose luff is affixed to a stay running forward (and most often but not always downwards) from a mast to the deck, the bowsprit or to another mast. ... USS Monongahela with a full set of studding sails set A studding sail or studsail is a sail used to increase the sail area of a square rigged vessel in light winds. ... A spanker is either of two kinds of sail. ... On a square rigged sailing vessel, a topgallant sail is the square-rigged sail or sails immediately above the topsail or topsails. ... A topsail is a sail set above another sail; on square-rigged vessels further sails may be set above topsails. ... A small fore-and-aft sail hoisted abaft the foremast and mainmast in a storm to keep a ships bow to the wind. ... diagram showing the names of the parts of a sail The lower edge of a triangular sail is called the foot of the sail, while the upper point is known as the head. ... diagram showing the names of the parts of a sail The lower edge of a triangular sail is called the foot of the sail, while the upper point is known as the head. ... diagram showing the names of the parts of a sail The lower edge of a triangular sail is called the foot of the sail, while the upper point is known as the head. ... diagram showing the names of the parts of a sail The lower edge of a triangular sail is called the foot of the sail, while the upper point is known as the head. ... diagram showing the names of the parts of a sail The lower edge of a triangular sail is called the foot of the sail, while the upper point is known as the head. ... diagram showing the names of the parts of a sail The lower edge of a triangular sail is called the foot of the sail, while the upper point is known as the head. ... diagram showing the names of the parts of a sail The lower edge of a triangular sail is called the foot of the sail, while the upper point is known as the head. ... diagram showing the names of the parts of a sail The lower edge of a triangular sail is called the foot of the sail, while the upper point is known as the head. ... Polyethylene terephthalate (aka PET, PETE or the obsolete PETP or PET-P) is a thermoplastic polymer resin of the polyester family that produced by the chemical industry and is used in synthetic fibers; beverage, food and other liquid containers; thermoforming applications; and engineering resins often in combination with glass fiber. ... Chemical structure of Kevlar. ... Chemical structure of Kevlar. ... In sailing, a boom is a spar (pole) usually made of aluminum or wood, is connected to the foot of the mainsail and allows the crew to control the angle of the sail to the wind. ... Bowsprit of the Falls of Clyde, showing the dolphin striker, the use of chain for the bobstays, and three furled jibs. ... mizzen mast, mainmast and foremast Grand Turk The mast of a sailing ship is a tall vertical pole which supports the sails. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged into Gaff rig. ... First Navy Jack being raised on a jackstaff A jackstaff is a small vertical spar (pole) in the bow of a ship, on which a particular type of flag, know as a jack, is flown. ... mizzen mast, mainmast and foremast Grand Turk The mast of a sailing ship is a tall vertical pole which supports the sails. ... Jury rigging (or jerry rigging) refers to makeshift repairs or substitutes, made with only the tools and materials that happen to be on hand. ... mizzen mast, mainmast and foremast Grand Turk The mast of a sailing ship is a tall vertical pole which supports the sails. ... mizzen mast, mainmast and foremast Grand Turk The mast of a sailing ship is a tall vertical pole which supports the sails. ... mizzen mast, mainmast and foremast Grand Turk The mast of a sailing ship is a tall vertical pole which supports the sails. ... The word truck is used in various different ways in different varieties of English. ... A spinnaker pole is a spar used in sailboats (both dinghys and yachts) to help support and control a variety of headsails, particularly the spinnaker. ... The fore royal yard on the Prince William. ... On a sailing vessel, a backstay is a piece of standing rigging which runs from the mast to the transom of the boat, counteracting the forestay and jib. ... In sailing, a block is a pulley or a number of pulleys enclosed in sheaves so as to be fixed to the end of a line or to a spar or surface. ... A boom vang is an item of rigging in a sail-powered vessel (usually small ones, but it is sometimes found on larger ones as well). ... The starboard main-brace and main-topsail-braces are clearly visible over the sea in this photo of the Prince Williams bridge and stern deck from her masthead. ... Clewlines and buntlines are lines used to handle the sails of a square rigged ship. ... A digram showing three cleats. ... A clevis pin is a type of fastener that will allow rotation of the connected parts about the axis of the pin. ... Clewlines and buntlines are lines used to handle the sails of a square rigged ship. ... In sailing, a cunningham or cunninghams eye is a type of downhaul used on a Bermuda rigged sailboat to change the shape of a sail. ... The downhaul is a line (or rope) which is part of the rigging on a sailboat; it applies downward force on a spar or sail. ... On a sailing vessel, a forestay is a piece of standing rigging which keeps a mast from falling backwards. ... A gasket holding the main-royal on a modern square-rigged training ship. ... Categories: Move to Wiktionary | Stub ... A guy is a term for a line (rope) attached to and intended to control the end of a spar on a sailboat. ... In sailing, a halyard is a line (rope) that is used to hoist (pull up) a sail or a yard to which a sail has been attached (bent on). ... This page is a candidate for speedy deletion. ... Parrell beads are an element of sailing rigging, usually deployed at the jaws of a gaff on a gaff rigged or gunter rigged craft A set of parrell beads is formed from small balls, size depending in the application, threaded on a piece of small line and secured with a... In sailing, the peak halyard (or peak for short) is a line that raises the end of a gaff further from the mast, as opposed to the throat halyard which raises the end nearer to the mast. ... A Preventer is a mechanical device on a sailing vessel which limits the booms ability to swing dangerously across the boat during an accidental gybe. ... Ratlines, pronounced rattlins, are lengths of thin line tied between the shrouds of a sailing ship to form a ladder. ... Running rigging is the term for the rigging of a sailing vessel that is used for raising, lowering and controlling the sails - as opposed to the standing rigging, which supports the mast and other spars. ... A shackle is a U-shaped piece of metal secured with a pin or bolt across the opening, or a hinged metal loop secured with a quick-release locking pin mechanism. ... On a sailing boat, the standing rigging is that collection of lines which are fixed. ... In sailing, a sheet is a line (or rope) used to control the moveable corner(s) of a sail. ... On a sailboat, the shrouds are pieces of standing rigging which hold the mast up from side to side. ... On a sailing ship, stay mouse refers to the bulge in a part of the standing rigging called a stay. ... Stays are the heavy ropes on sailing vessels that run from the masts to the hull. ... In sailing, the throat halyard (or throat for short) is a line that raises the end of a gaff nearer to the mast, as opposed to the peak halyard which raises the end further from the mast. ... The topping lift (more rarely known as an uphaul) is a line which is part of the rigging on a sailboat; it applies upward force on a spar or boom. ... A 49er with both skipper and crew on the trapeze In Sailing, the trapeze refers to a wire that comes from a point high on the mast, usually where the shrouds are fixed, to a hook on the crew members harness at approximately waist level. ...

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