Which term describes a point of sail where you are sailing approximately 90 degrees to the wind?

Which term describes a point of sail where you are sailing approximately 90 degrees to the wind?

• A. Beam reach
• B. Close reach
• C. Running
• D. Port tack

Answer: (A)

Understanding points of sail means looking at the angle between the boat’s course and the wind direction. When the wind is coming from the side, about 90 degrees to your path, you’re on a beam reach. At a beam reach, the sails catch wind from the side and you can sail efficiently with good speed and stability. This differs from sailing more into the wind (close reach or close-hauled) where the wind is forward of the bow, and from sailing with the wind behind you (running) where the wind comes from the stern.

Understanding points of sail means looking at the angle between the boat’s course and the wind direction. When the wind is coming from the side, about 90 degrees to your path, you’re on a beam reach. At a beam reach, the sails catch wind from the side and you can sail efficiently with good speed and stability. This differs from sailing more into the wind (close reach or close-hauled) where the wind is forward of the bow, and from sailing with the wind behind you (running) where the wind comes from the stern.