Tack

In sailing, a tack describes the position of a vessel relative to the direction from which the wind blows, as well as the fundamental maneuver used to change that orientation. When the wind crosses the starboard (right) side of the vessel first, the yacht is on a starboard tack. Conversely, if the wind strikes the port (left) side first, the yacht is on a port tack. Under the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGs Rule 12), a vessel on a starboard tack holds the right-of-way over a vessel on a port tack.

A tack also refers to the tactical maneuver, often termed coming about, where the bow of the boat turns through the wind eye (an angle of 0° to the true wind). Most modern fore-and-aft rigged sailing yachts cannot sail directly into the wind and maintain an effective no-sail zone of approximately 80° to 90° centered on the wind direction. To travel toward a destination located within this dead zone, the crew must perform a series of zig-zag legs called beating to windward. Each leg sailed on a single heading between turns is also referred to as a tack. Additionally, in sailmaker terminology, the tack is the lower forward corner of a triangular sail, secured near the deck or boom, where the luff meets the foot. Mastering tacks is essential for both navigation safety and efficient windward routing.