In Irons

A situation where a sailing vessel is stalled with its bow pointed directly into the wind, making it difficult to manoeuvre or gain forward momentum.

When a sailing vessel is “in irons,” it finds itself in a position where the bow is directly facing into the wind, and the sails are unable to catch any wind to propel the boat forward. This situation typically occurs when a sailor attempts to tack (change direction by turning the bow through the wind) but misjudges the manoeuvre or fails to maintain enough speed. As a result, the boat loses momentum and becomes stuck, unable to move in either direction. The term “irons” evokes the idea of being trapped or immobilised, much like being restrained by shackles.

To recover from being in irons, sailors must take corrective actions to regain control of the vessel. One common method is to push the tiller or wheel hard over to one side while backing the sails (manually positioning them to catch wind from the opposite direction). This helps the boat reverse slightly and allows the bow to fall off the wind, enabling the sails to fill again and the vessel to resume forward motion. Being in irons is generally considered undesirable, especially in racing or when precise manoeuvring is required, as it can lead to a significant loss of speed and control.