1. Sailing: Points of Sail
“The joy of Sailing”

2. Points of Sail “The joy of Sailing”
Objective: To learn the different points of sail and directions that sailboats can move in relationship to the wind
Key Terms:
Beam Reach
Close-Hauled
Broad Reach
Downwind
In Irons
Starboard Tack
Port Tack

3. Reviewing Key Terms “The joy of Sailing”
Starboard Tack
On a starboard tack: with the wind hitting the starboard (right) side of the boat
Port Tack
On a port tack: with the wind hitting the port (left) side of the boat

4. Beam Reach “The joy of Sailing”
On a beam reach: with the boat at about a 90° angle to the wind (generally the fastest, simplest point of sail)
Wind

5. Close-Hauled “The joy of Sailing”
Sailing on a close reach: sailing upwind with the wind at about a 45° angle to the boat
Wind

6. Close-Hauled “The joy of Sailing”
Saltyspeak: Other Ways to Say
“Sailing on a Close Reach”
“Beating”
“working on the wind”
“sailing by the wind”
“sailing full and bye”

7. Broad Reach “The joy of Sailing”
On a broad reach: with the wind coming diagonally from behind
Wind

8. Broad Reach “The joy of Sailing”
Saltyspeak: Other Ways to Say “Sailing on a Broad Reach”
“Sailing large”
“quartering wind”

9. Downwind “The joy of Sailing”
When sailing a straight line, let sail out nearly perpendicular to the boat for maximum speed.
To jibe—turn with the wind at your back—carefully pull in sail and gently turn rudder, then slowly let sail out on opposite side.
Wind and Boat

10. Downwind “The joy of Sailing”
Warning You’ve got the wind at your back, but you can’t relax. It only takes a slight wind-direction change to send your sail swinging to the other side—possibly capsizing the boat.
Saltyspeak: Other Ways to Say “Sailing Downwind”
“Running”
“sailing before the wind”
“sailing free”
“scudding”

11. IRONS “The joy of Sailing”
In Irons: when a boat is pointed into the wind, causing the sail or sails to flap like flags and the boat to lose speed or even stop
Wind
Boat

12. Review The joy of Sailing Port tack Starboard Tack
Graphic from:

13. National Geographic Interactive Sailing Simulator
Activity
National Geographic Interactive Sailing Simulator
“The joy of Sailing”

14. Conclusion: “The joy of Sailing”
Broad reach, Downwind, Close-hauled, Beam Reach, Port, Starboard 2
Wind Direction 1 3 4 7 6 5
“The joy of Sailing”

15. The joy of Sailing

16. Answers Starboard Tacks Port Tacks 2 Close-hauled 1 Close-hauled 3
Beam Reach 4
Beam Reach 7
Downwind 6
Broad Reach 5
Broad Reach