Section G – The Run
TR CALL G1
Definitions, Leeward and Windward
Definitions, Tack, Starboard or Port
Question 1
A boat sailing downwind on starboard tack bears away until she is sailing by the lee,
with the wind continuing to fill her mainsail. Which tack is she on?
Answer 1
Starboard tack. The definition states that 'when (a boat is) sailing by the lee or directly
downwind, her leeward side is the side on which her mainsail lies'. Since her mainsail
remains filled on her port side, the port side is her leeward side. She is on the tack
'corresponding to her windward side', i.e. starboard tack.
Question 2
The boat now bears away further, with her boom still out over her port side, because
now her crew is holding it there while the wind is backing her mainsail. Which tack is
she now on?
Answer 2
Port tack. She is now neither running directly downwind nor sailing by the lee. A boat
is on the tack corresponding to her windward side, that is the side towards the wind.
There can be no doubt that this side is her port side and therefore she is on port tack.
Question 3
A boat on starboard tack bears away until she heads directly downwind. To slow her
speed, her crew holds the boom along the centreline. The wind is hitting the port side of her mainsail, although only her leech moving towards her starboard side indicates
this. Which tack is she on?
Answer 3
Port tack. As she is sailing directly downwind her leeward side is defined as the side
on which her mainsail lies. This is her starboard side. She is therefore on port tack.