Points of sail

The classification of a boat's course relative to the wind — close-hauled, close reach, beam reach, broad reach, and run.

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Related P-terms

Parasailor

A proprietary symmetric downwind sail with a horizontal aerofoil slot through the middle, …

Port tack

Sailing with the wind coming over the port side; under the COLREGs, a port-tack vessel nor…

Prevailing wind

The statistically dominant wind direction for a region or season.

Pay out

To let out or surrender a line in a controlled way.

Painter

The line permanently attached to the bow of a dinghy or tender.

Port

(1) The left side of the boat when facing forward. (2) A harbour. (3) A small window or op…

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