Tacking

Tacking to Windard (Beating)

The only way a sailboat can reach an upwind destination is through a series of tacks referred to as beating, or beating to weather. Tacking, or coming about, is changing the boat's direction so that the bow comes through the eye of the wind. Since a 45 degrees is about the best a sailboat can point into the wind, tacking requires a turn of about 90 degrees.

Procedures For Tacking

1. Helmsman gives the command: "Prepare to tack." This gives the crew a chance to get ready and set up for the maneuver.
2. Helmsman puts the tiller over towards the mainsail, (leeward side) and gives the command: "Helms-a-lee". This notifies the crew that the boat is being turned.
3. The bow comes up through the eye of the wind, the sails come across to the other side of the boat, and as the sails fill, the tiller is brought back to the middle of the boat, the new heading is assumed.
4. Note:When sailing closehauled, the mainsail is sheeted in tight so little or no adjustment of the mainsheet is necessary when tacking. As the boat begins turning up through the eye of the wind, the sails begin to luff. When the main fills on the other side, the tiller is straightened, and the boat assumes the new heading.