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Illustration from NEPTUNIA

  • Question:
    Sails - What are the "points of sailing" ?

  • Answers:

  • Here are the definitions of the positions (points of sailing) of a sailboat with regard to the wind:
    - Close hauled: generally at 45 degrees on one side or the other of the direction from where the wind is coming.
    - Beam reach: the ship is navigating perpendicular to the direction of the wind.
    - Run: the ship navigates before the wind.
    - Close reach: between close hauled and beam reach.
    - Broad reach: between run and beam reach.

  • A fan is going to help you to direct your sails accordingly.


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