Points of Sail

As the vessel falls off or heads away from the wind it begins to sail at a series of angles
to the wind known as points of sail. The angles at which the vessel can sail are from 45
degrees off the direction of the wind to the wind directly astern or 180 degrees. With the wind coming across the starboard side of the vessel and the boom out to port the boat is said to be on starboard tack. When the wind is coming across the port side of the boat and the boom out to starboard the boat is said to be on port tack.

When sailing as close to the direction of the wind as the vessel is able the vessel is said to
be close hauled or beating. As the vessel sails away from the direction of the wind it will
 sail on a close reach, beam reach, broad reach and finally with the wind pushing from the
stem, a run.