The tack is one of sailing's most fundamental manoeuvres — yet even experienced sailors get it wrong. We break down every phase from initiation to trim.
The tack is the manoeuvre that defines a sailor's upwind ability. Executed well, it loses barely a boat length. Done poorly, it can cost you a race or, in heavy weather, your safety.
Phase 1 — Preparation
Before calling "ready about," check your surroundings. Confirm there is clear water on the new tack, the crew is alert, and the boat is moving at full speed. A tack initiated in slow water will be sluggish and cost considerable distance.
Phase 2 — Helm input
Push the tiller (or turn the wheel) to windward smoothly. Avoid a jab — think of drawing a slow arc. The bow will begin rotating through the wind. At this moment, ease the mainsheet slightly to keep the boom centred; slamming it hard accelerates the bow rotation but destabilises the rig.
Phase 3 — Crossing the centreline
As the boat passes head-to-wind, the headsail will back. This is normal and actually helps push the bow through. The crew sheets the new leeward side at this point and the helmsman crosses to the new windward rail.
Phase 4 — Accelerating out
Bear away several degrees below your close-hauled course immediately after completing the tack. This re-fills the sails quickly and rebuilds boat speed. Once you have reached target speed, harden up to your normal VMG angle.
Common mistakes
- Tacking too slowly through the wind, losing all momentum - Forgetting to ease the mainsail, causing excessive heel - Hardening up too aggressively before speed is restored - Crew remaining on the old side too long, unbalancing the boat
Practice tacking in light air first. Once the sequence is automatic, introduce increasing wind and finally waves. In a chop, the ideal moment to initiate a tack is on the back of a wave, using the boat's own momentum to carry it through.