Close Hauled
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 into the wind as it can, typically around 45 degrees off the wind direction. This is the closest angle to the wind that a boat can sail without entering the ‘no-sail zone’, where the sails start to flap and lose power. The exact angle varies depending on the design of the boat and its sails, but it’s usually around 30 to 45 degrees.
When a boat is close hauled, the sails are pulled in tight to create the most efficient shape for generating lift. The boat moves forward and slightly sideways, in a process known as ‘making leeway’. The helmsman must constantly adjust the course and the sails to maintain the optimal angle to the wind.
Close hauled sailing requires skill and attention, as the boat’s speed and stability are affected by changes in wind strength and direction, as well as wave conditions. It’s a challenging but rewarding point of sail, often used in racing and in making progress to windward when the destination is upwind.
