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Latest — 30 Sep 2025

Approaching the Windward Mark Below the Layline: Tack or Pinch?

In this scenario—approaching a windward mark on starboard tack for a port rounding (leaving the mark to port) but realizing your close-hauled course falls short of the layline— tacking away to gain distance and reposition is generally the better choice over pinching. Pinching (sailing higher than close-hauled by luffing

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Leeshore landing -> You got only a jib and need to turn around - tack or bear away?

In a double-handed boat (like a dinghy or small keelboat) with both a main and jib, if you've reefed or furled the main completely for a leeshore landing—effectively sailing on jib alone—and need to turn around to head away from the shore, the decision between attempting

Better ways to exit NGZ (No-Go-Zone)

Exiting the No-Go Zone in Sailing The No-Go Zone (NGZ), also known as being "in irons," is the area directly upwind (about 45 degrees on either side of the true wind) where sails luff, the boat loses forward momentum, and steering becomes ineffective. Exiting it requires generating enough

What's the better way to slow down and stop - head to wind, heaving to or luff at close reach?

One question that keeps coming up in conversations with fellow sailors is how to best slow down or stop: heading to wind, heaving to, or letting the sails luff on a close reach? Each has its place with heading to wind great for quick stops, heaving to ideal for stability,

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Turning Tumbles into Triumphs: Dinghy Lessons Learned

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