A sailboat does not go where the wind goes. It goes at an angle to it. Learn the points of sail, the sides of the boat and the two ways to turn, then steer a boat yourself.
The one rule
A sailboat cannot sail straight into the wind. There is a no-go zone of about 45 degrees on each side of it. Everywhere else, you set the sails to the angle between the boat and the wind. That angle is called the point of sail, and it decides how you trim, how fast you go and how the boat feels.
Try it first
Move the slider below to turn the boat around the wind circle. Watch the sail swing out as the wind moves behind you. Then take the levels.
Steer the boat
Drag the slider to change your angle to the wind. The sail follows.
The wind circle
A boat seen from above
Turning: tack (left) and gybe (right)
Study sheet
All the words in one place, by level.
Level 1: Points of sail
No-go zone
The zone about 45 degrees either side of the wind. A sailboat cannot sail straight into it: the sails flap and the boat stalls. Stuck there, you are "in irons".
Close-hauled
Sailing as close to the wind as you can, about 45 degrees. Sails pulled in tight. The way to go upwind, a little heeled and bumpy.
Close reach
Between close-hauled and a beam reach. Sails eased a little. Fast and exciting.
Beam reach
Wind straight from the side, at 90 degrees. Often the fastest and easiest point of sail.
Broad reach
Wind from behind at an angle. Sails let way out. Smooth, fast and comfortable.
Running
Wind straight from behind. Sails out as wide as they go. It feels calm but is slower than a reach, and an accidental gybe is a risk.
Level 2: Sides and directions
Wind direction
Where the wind comes FROM. A north wind blows from the north, toward the south.
Heading
The direction the bow is pointing, and therefore where the boat is going.
Windward side
The side of the boat the wind hits first. The side toward the wind.
Leeward side
The side away from the wind, where the sails are. Sailors say "loo-ard". Also the sheltered side.
Upwind
The direction toward where the wind comes from.
Downwind
The direction the wind is blowing toward. Away from where it comes from.
Level 3: Turning
Tack
To turn the bow through the wind, so the wind changes from one side of the boat to the other. Also the name for which side the wind is on.
Gybe
To turn the stern through the wind, so the sail swings across. Fast, and it can be violent in strong wind.