Glossary

The point of sail where the wind is coming from directly abeam, or at a right angle to the boat's centreline. 

A beam reach is one of the most...

A point of sail where the wind comes from behind the beam of the boat, typically at an angle of 90 to 160 degrees relative to the vessel's...

A sailing boat's course that is as directly into the wind as possible.

Close hauled is a point of sail where the boat is sailing as directly...

A point of sail where the wind is coming from forward of the beam, typically about 60° to 80° off the bow. It is one of the fastest and most...

The point of sail where the wind is coming from the side of the boat, roughly perpendicular to the direction the boat is travelling. 

A reach...

To allow a line, rope, or cable to move freely through a block, fairlead, or other fitting.

The direction a vessel is moving, particularly...

The act of sailing a boat downwind, with the wind coming from astern. 

Running is one of the main points of sail, where a vessel moves with...