Heave-to

As defined in Wikipedia, heaving to is a method of slowing a sailing vessel's forward progress and locking the helm and sails so that constant steering is not required. Executed by tacking without backing the jib (leaving it backed to windward), easing the mainsail, and locking the helm hard to windward, the technique balances opposing aerodynamic forces. The backed jib pushes the bow away from the wind, while the turned rudder forces it back up, causing the yacht to settle into a stable drift at a speed of 1 to 2 knots at an angle of roughly 45° to 60° to the true wind.

A key hydrodynamic benefit is the creation of a smooth wake or slick to windward, which breaks the energy of cresting seas before they strike the hull. This makes heaving to an indispensable storm strategy and a practical rest tactic for singlehanded or shorthanded crews needing to take a meal, attend to gear, or reef sails. Modern navigation tools help monitor this drift movement; learn more about tracking position in our article on how GPS works in sailing. Under COLREGs, a vessel hove to remains on its active tack (preferably starboard tack to retain stand-on status), distinguishing it from a power-driven vessel ordered to stop by law enforcement or a unrigged vessel lying to.