In the world of yachting, there are many terms and concepts that may seem complex to beginners. One of the key aspects that need to be understood is courses relative to the wind. A proper understanding of these courses will help you confidently manage your yacht, efficiently utilize the power of the wind, and derive maximum pleasure from sailing with our yacht charter.
In this guide, we will explain the main courses relative to the wind in simple terms, their features, and the nuances of managing a yacht on each of them.
What is a Course Relative to the Wind?
A course relative to the wind is the angle between the yacht’s direction of movement and the direction of the wind. This angle directly affects the speed of the vessel and requires proper sail adjustment.
Imagine the wind as an invisible river of air flowing in a certain direction. How exactly you will use this "river" to move forward depends on your course relative to the wind.
Close-Hauled and Broad Reach Courses
All courses can be divided into close-hauled and broad reach:
- Close-hauled courses are those on which the wind blows into the front hemisphere of the yacht (the front part of the vessel). These include close-hauled, close-reach, and tight close-reach. Management is more challenging here because the yacht moves almost against the wind, and the sails need to be adjusted with maximum precision.
- Broad reach courses are those where the wind blows into the rear hemisphere of the yacht (the stern). These include beam reach, broad reach, and running downwind. Management on these courses is easier, but there are nuances, such as the risk of an unexpected sail pass (unforeseen gybe).
Main Courses Relative to the Wind
Now let’s take a closer look at the main courses.
Courses Relative to the Wind
1. Close-Hauled (Head to Wind) — Directly Against the Wind
📌 What is it?
When the yacht sails directly against the wind, the sails are useless — they start flapping, and the vessel loses momentum. In this position, the yacht barely moves forward.
📌 When is it used?
- To stop the yacht.
- Before changing tack (turning to another course).
📌 What is important to know?
If you accidentally find yourself on a close-hauled course, slightly turn the rudder to allow the wind to fill the sails again.
2. Close-Reach (Close-Hauled) — Close-Hauled Course
📌 What is it?
The yacht moves at a sharp angle to the wind, but not directly against it. Usually, this is an angle of about 45 degrees.
📌 When is it used?
- It is one of the most efficient courses for moving against the wind.
- It allows climbing upwind with zigzag maneuvers (the so-called tacking course).
📌 What is important to know?
- Precise sail adjustment is required.
- The sharper the course, the more the yacht heels.
⛵ Tip: Do not pull the sheet (the rope controlling the sail) too hard — this can slow down the yacht.
3. Tight Close-Reach (Close Reach) — Between Close-Reach and Beam Reach
Tight Close-Reach
📌 What is it?
The yacht sails a little further from the wind than on a close reach, but the angle to the wind is less than 90 degrees.
📌 When is it used?
- It is a balance between speed and control.
- Often used in races, as it allows maintaining good speed without significant heeling.
📌 What is important to know?
- Management is simpler than on a close reach, but still requires attentiveness.
- Speed is higher as the sails fill more efficiently.
4. Beam Reach (Beam Reach) — Wind from the Side
📌 What is it?
The wind blows perpendicularly to the side of the yacht (a 90-degree angle).
📌 When is it used?
- The fastest course for most yachts!
- Perfect for long crossings and comfortable sailing.
📌 What is important to know?
- Easy to manage, but sails must be set to maximum spread.
🚀 Fact: If you want maximum speed, choose a beam reach!
5. Broad Reach (Broad Reach) — Downwind Course
Broad Reach
📌 What is it?
The wind blows from behind at an angle greater than 90 degrees.
📌 When is it used?
- An excellent course for relaxed sailing.
- Allows developing high speed without significant heeling.
📌 What is important to know?
- Risk of sail pass (gybe): if the wind unexpectedly changes direction, the sails can "snap" to the other side, leading to a sudden course change.
- Monitor the yacht’s balance: side winds can create instability, so it is important to distribute the crew's weight correctly.
6. Running Downwind (Running Downwind) — Tailwind
📌 What is it?
The wind blows directly from the stern, and the yacht moves with the wind.
📌 When is it used?
- The most comfortable course, as there is no heeling.
- Used for long crossings with a tailwind.
📌 What is important to know?
- Risk of unintended jib turn (gybe)!
- On a running downwind course, there is a risk of the jib suddenly turning to the other side (unintentional gybe).
- To prevent this, use preventers (special ropes to fix the jib).
How to Determine the Course Relative to the Wind?
✅ By wind vane (wind indicator) — shows the wind direction relative to the yacht.
✅ By feel — experienced sailors sense the wind by the pressure on their face and the angle of heeling.
How to Manage the Yacht on Different Courses?
Each course requires its own nuances in managing the yacht. Let’s understand how to properly set the sails and what to pay attention to when moving on different courses relative to the wind.
🔹 Close-Reach (Close-Hauled) — Close-Hauled Course
✅ Sail Position:
- Sails are pulled as close as possible to the yacht’s diameter plane (almost parallel to the hull).
- The mainsail and the jib are set to create a uniform airflow.
⚠️ What to Pay Attention To:
- It is important to maintain the optimal angle to the wind (about 45 degrees). If the angle is too small, the yacht loses speed, and if it is too large — it may enter a close-hauled course and stop.
- Watch the heeling (tilting of the yacht). If the heeling is too strong, you need to:
- Ease the sheet a bit (relax the sail tension).
- Shift the crew's weight to the windward side.
- Reef the sails (reduce their area in strong wind).
- Manage sensitively and smoothly, as the yacht on this course reacts quickly to the slightest changes in the wind.
🔹 Beam Reach (Beam Reach) — Wind from the Side
✅ Sail Position:
- Sails are set roughly halfway relative to the hull (usually 45–60 degrees).
- The mainsail and jib should be well filled with wind, without excessive tension.
⚠️ What to Pay Attention To:
- Optimal balance: A beam reach is the most stable and fastest course. But it is important to ensure the sails are evenly filled.
- Rudder control: On a beam reach, the yacht can unexpectedly change direction due to wind gusts, so the rudder must be under constant control.
- Watch the wind pressure on the sails: if the wind strengthens and the yacht starts to heel strongly, you can slightly ease the jib or relax the tension on the mainsail.
🚀 Fact: On most yachts, maximum speed is achieved precisely on a beam reach!
🔹 Broad Reach (Broad Reach) — Downwind Course
✅ Sail Position:
- Sails are heavily spread almost perpendicular to the hull (80–100 degrees).
- You can use a genoa, code zero, or spinnaker (special foresails for broad reach courses) to increase speed.
⚠️ What to Pay Attention To:
- Risk of sail pass (gybe): if the wind unexpectedly changes direction, the sails can "snap" to the other side, leading to a sudden course change.
- Monitor the yacht’s balance: side winds can create instability, so it is important to distribute the crew's weight correctly.
- Use the spinnaker carefully: this sail provides excellent speed gain but requires careful control, especially when the wind strengthens.
⛵ Tip: If you notice that the wind has become stronger, it is better to reef the spinnaker in advance to avoid sudden heeling and loss of control.
🔹 Running Downwind (Running Downwind) — Pure Tailwind
✅ Sail Position:
- Sails are maximally spread to the sides, perpendicular to the hull (almost 90 degrees).
- The mainsail and jib can be spread to opposite sides ("butterfly") to catch the wind as much as possible.
⚠️ What to Pay Attention To:
- Risk of unintended jib turn (gybe)!
- On a running downwind course, there is a risk of the jib suddenly turning to the other side (unintentional gybe). This can lead to the jib striking the crew or a sudden sharp maneuver of the yacht.
- To prevent this, use preventers (special ropes to fix the jib) or set a jib restrictor.
- The yacht may slow down: since the wind blows directly from behind, the sails do not create lift, and the movement becomes less efficient.
- Use a spinnaker to increase speed: it works well on this course but requires constant monitoring.
⚠️ Tip: If the wind strengthens, do not keep the sails too fully spread — this can cause the yacht to become unstable.
✅ General Tip for Managing Sails on Different Courses:
| Course | Sail Position | Main Risks |
|---|---|---|
| Close-Hauled | Sails pulled in close to the hull | Strong heeling, loss of speed with incorrect angle |
| Beam Reach | Sails spread halfway | Wind gusts can sharply change the course |
| Broad Reach | Sails spread almost fully | Possible unintended jib pass |
| Running Downwind | Sails maximally spread, sometimes the yacht forms a "butterfly" when the jib is set to the opposite side | Risk of unintended jib pass |
✨ Conclusion
Each course requires a special approach to sail management and yacht control. The better you understand the principles of how the wind works and the sail positions, the more confident you will feel on the water. For more yachting articles, visit our blog.
🚤 Practice, experiment, and listen to the wind — and over time, managing the yacht will become intuitive for you! 🌊 ⛵