What the points of sail are
The points of sail describe a boat's heading relative to the wind. Working round from directly upwind: the no-go zone, close hauled, close reach, beam reach, broad reach, and a run dead downwind. The same sequence mirrors on the other side, giving port and starboard tack versions of each.
Close hauled is roughly 45 degrees off the wind, a beam reach has the wind on the side at about 90 degrees, and a run has it behind. Everything in between is a reach of some description, which is where most comfortable sailing happens.
The no-go zone and why it exists
A sailing boat cannot sail directly into the wind. Sails work like a wing: air has to flow across them at an angle to generate lift, and pointed straight at the wind they simply flap. That arc — typically around 45 degrees either side of the wind — is the no-go zone.
To make progress upwind you sail close hauled on one tack, then tack and sail close hauled on the other, zig-zagging towards your destination. The distance sailed is always more than the distance made good, which is why upwind legs take so much longer to plan for than the chart suggests.
The width of the no-go zone varies with the boat. A modern racing yacht points closer than a heavy cruiser; the same boat also points less well in choppy water or when overpowered and heeling hard.
How the sails are set on each point
The rule underlying all of it: the further off the wind you sail, the further out the sails go.
Close hauled, sheets are in tight and the sails are almost on the centreline. The boat heels, feels lively, and every small steering error shows immediately in the sails. On a close reach you can ease slightly, and the boat usually speeds up.
On a beam reach the sails are around a third of the way out and the boat is at its most balanced. On a broad reach they go further still. On a run the mainsail is right out against the shrouds and the headsail is blanketed behind it, so it is often poled out to the opposite side — sailing "goose-winged".
The practical trimming method never changes: ease the sheet until the front edge of the sail starts to flutter, then pull it in just enough to stop. Telltales streaming evenly on both sides confirm the airflow is attached.
Which is fastest, and what to watch for
For most cruising yachts a beam or broad reach is fastest and most comfortable, with plenty of drive and less heel than close hauled. A dead run feels calm because the apparent wind drops, but the boat is actually travelling more slowly than it seems.
A run is also the point of sail that needs the most care. With the wind behind, an accidental gybe can throw the boom across the cockpit without warning, so keep an eye on the wind angle, use a preventer on longer downwind legs, and steer a few degrees higher rather than sailing dead square.
Where you will use it
Points of sail underpin sail trim, passage planning and any decision about which route to take in the wind you actually have. Competent Crew introduces them, and Day Skipper Practical is where you start using them to plan a day's sailing rather than just to steer.
Common questions
- What are the points of sail?
- The points of sail describe a boat's heading relative to the wind: the no-go zone directly upwind, close hauled, close reach, beam reach, broad reach and a run dead downwind. Each requires the sails to be set differently.
- What does close hauled mean?
- Close hauled is sailing as close to the wind as the boat will usefully go, typically around 45 degrees off it, with the sails pulled in tight. It is the point of sail used to make progress upwind.
- Why can't a boat sail directly into the wind?
- Sails generate drive by acting as a wing, which needs the wind to flow across them at an angle. Pointed straight at the wind the sails simply flap, so boats zig-zag upwind in a series of tacks instead.
- Which point of sail is fastest?
- For most cruising yachts a beam or broad reach, with the wind roughly on the side, is the fastest and most comfortable. A dead run is slower than it feels because the boat is travelling with the wind rather than across it.
- How do I know if the sails are trimmed correctly?
- The rule of thumb is to ease the sail out until the front edge starts to flutter, then pull it in just enough to stop. Telltales streaming evenly on both sides of the sail confirm the flow is attached.