Shannon Basic Sailing School Manual - Points of Sail (Preview)

POINTS OF SAIL

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Points of Sail

points of sail

The points of sail, sometimes called sailing positions, relate to the angle between a sailboat's heading, or course, and the direction of the wind. There are three basic courses:

  • No sail zone (In Irons)
  • Beating (wind is from ahead)
  • Reaching (wind is from the side)
  • Running (wind is from astern)

Points of sail are important parts of sail theory. The no-sail zone is about 45° either side of the true wind for a racing hull and sail plan optimized for upwind work. On some cruising yachts, the best course achievable upwind is 50° to 55° to the true wind. No sailboat can sail directly into the wind; attempting to do so leads to the sails luffing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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