Introducing the Tack

A tack happens when the bow turns through the wind.

Bow means the front of the boat.

We use a tack when sailing toward the wind and we need to change direction.

Before the Tack

Good sailors prepare before they turn.

• Look forward toward the bow
• Make sure the path is clear
• Crew and skipper prepare to switch sides
• The mainsheet is trimmed properly

The skipper says clearly:
Ready to tack?

The crew responds:
Ready.

Clear communication keeps everyone safe.

During the Tack

The skipper pushes the tiller towards the sail.

Tiller Towards Sail To Tack

TTSTT

The bow begins turning through the wind.

The sail will luff briefly. This is normal.

As the wind crosses the front of the boat, the boom swings across.
Keep your head low.

Remember the boom is the horizontal pole that holds the bottom of the sail.

Crew and skipper switch sides smoothly while always looking forward and keeping their heads low.

During the turn, the mainsheet is eased slightly.
Ease means to let the line out in a controlled way.

Once the boat settles on the new course, trim the mainsheet back in.
Trim means to pull the line in to power the sail.

Now the wind is coming over the opposite side.

You have successfully completed a tack.

What Makes a Good Tack

A good tack is a complete tack.

• Smooth steering
• Turning a full 90 degrees so the sail fills on the new side
• Slight easing during the turn
• Heads low throughout the maneuver
• Calm movement across the boat
• Trimming once settled

If you do not turn far enough, the sail may continue to luff and the boat will slow down.

A complete tack allows the wind to fill the sail and power the boat again.

Fast and rushed creates instability.
Calm and controlled creates speed.