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POINTS_OF_SAIL.md

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Points of Sail

Vocabulary

Point of Sail


How a sail is set (its angle) relative to the wind.

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No Sail Zone


Direction relative to the wind in which the sailboat cannot sail.

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Reaching


Sailing across the wind.

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Running


Sailing with the wind.

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Luffing


The fluttering of a stalled sail when the boat is too close to the wind.

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Head to Wind


Boat's position when its bow is pointing directly into the wind.

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In Irons


Boat's position when its bow is pointing directly into the wind and boat is stopped dead in the water.

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Close Hauled (Sailing to Weather or Beating)


Sailing upwind as close to the wind as is efficient. The edge of the No Sail Zone.

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Pinching


Sailing too close to the wind.

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Footing


Sailing too far off the wind.

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Dancing with the wind


Sailing perfectly with the wind (maximum efficiency).

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Heeling


To lean or tip under the influence of the wind on sails.

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Close Reach


The next point of sail when sailing off the wind.

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Beam Reach


Wind coming over the beam of the boat perpendicular to bow/stern. Often the most comfortable and the fastest point of sail.

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Broad Reach


Jib telltales will likely stop working.

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Dead Run


When boat runs dead down wind.

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Sailing by the Lee


Mainsail is on the windward side of the boat. Risky since an accidental jibe can occur.

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Tacking


An upwind maneuver changing tacks by turning the bow across the windward no sail zone.

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Clearing the Turn (Tacking Sequence)


Prior to announcing any command or making any course change the helmsman must clear the turn.
1. Pick a point on the horizon to steer to (90 degress from present course).
2. Helmsman announces "Ready About".
3. Helmsman announces "Helms A-lee" when making the tack.

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Tacking Characteristics


1. Tacking is a 90 degree upwind turn.
2. Quick turn.
3. Boom is self-tending.
4. Jib is reset on the new side.

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Jibing/Gybing


A downwind maneuver changing tacks by turning the bow downwind across the leeward running zone.
The stern passes throught he wind, bringing the wind to blow onto the opposite side of the boat and fill the sails.
(Sail Handling)
1. Main boom swings all the way across the boat and must be actively controlled.
2. The loaded or working jib sheet is cast off and the slack or lazy jib sheet must be trimmed in.
3. The priority must be placed on the boom and mainsail.

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Jibing (Sequence)


1. Clear the turn.
2. Helmsman announces "Prepare to jibe!".
3. Helmsman announces "Jibe Ho!" when executing the jibe.

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Broach


An out-of-control rounding up of the boat (when the rudder can even get out of the water).

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