Close-hauled

Close-hauled is the point of sail in which a sailboat travels as close to the direction of the wind as aerodynamics allow. Typically, this angle ranges between 30° and 45° relative to the apparent wind (and approximately 45° to the true wind), depending on the yacht's rig efficiency and hull design. To maintain this course, sails are sheeted in flat toward the centerline of the vessel.

Understanding how a sail works on this point of sail reveals that the sail operates primarily as an asymmetrical airfoil, creating aerodynamic lift perpendicular to its surface. Steering too close into the wind causes the sails to luff and forces the boat into the no-go zone—an arc of roughly 45° on either side of the true wind where propulsion ceases. Conversely, bearing off slightly transitions the vessel to a close reach (roughly 50°–70° off the wind), yielding higher speed but less progress upwind.

Mastering the close-hauled course is essential for beating (tacking back and forth to reach an upwind destination). Performing precise upwind turns requires executing smooth tacking maneuvers. As noted in Wikipedia references on points of sail, close-hauled sailing produces maximum side-force and heel angle, requiring the keel or centerboard to generate sufficient hydrodynamic resistance against lateral leeway.