How to Turn Away from the Wind in Sailing

Wind is the power behind a sailboat. The strength and direction of the wind is fundamental in how you set the sails for turning and maintain control of your boat. The closer you sail toward the wind, the tighter you'll pull the sails to the boat. When sailing away from the wind, the sails can be let out. Here's how to turn away from the wind.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Adjust the rudder and trim the sails to turn the sailboat. The angle the sailboat is in compared to where the wind is blowing from is called the point-of-sail. You'll be turning the boat from one point-of-sail to another when you turn away from the wind.

2. Use the halyard to hoist the sails and then the sheets line to control the sail's position in regard to the wind. Use the other lines to make adjustments to the shape of the sails as you ease them out to run away from the wind at a gradual rate so the boat can turn gently and not lose the wind altogether.

3. Pull a line in with a winch when the wind is too forceful and has grabbed too much of the sail. Just be careful not to force it if it gets caught. Winches usually have a cleat on top of them for easy handling.

4. Turn the wheel or pull the tiller to jibe, which is when you turn the boat through the wind. The sails generally do not luff with a jibe as they do when tacking. Duck as the boom crosses the boat and be ready to let more sail out or shape it to catch the sails with driving wind.

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