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Beating

Making progress to windward by sailing successive close-hauled legs on alternating tacks.

A sailing vessel cannot normally sail directly into the wind. To reach a destination to windward, it sails close-hauled on one tack, turns its bow through the wind and continues close-hauled on the other. The resulting zigzag course is known as beating to windward.

Interactive sailing diagram

Points of Sail Trainer

90° Beam Reach Port tack
Starboardtack
Porttack
Wind
No-Go Zone
0° 90° 180° 90°
Port tack Beam Reach
Holding course
Sail trim Eased halfway
Performance Fast and balanced
  • No-Go Zone 0° - 45°
  • Close-Hauled 45° - 60°
  • Close Reach 60° - 80°
  • Beam Reach 80° - 100°
  • Broad Reach 100° - 150°
  • Running 150° - 180°

Beam Reach

The wind is coming across the side of the boat. This is usually quick, stable, and easy to feel.