Lesson 3

Before you go out on water, it's probably a good idea to learn the terminology of points of sail. Points of sail is a term describing different angles from the wind, on which a boat may sail. Depending on where you are going, and where the wind is blowing from, you will choose the direction. Some points of sail are easier to manage than others, and depending on the boat, they will also work differently for you than the others. Therefore, never assume that if someone's boat sails fastest when close-hauled, this will be also the case with your boat. Always get to know your boat by trying out different points of sail on various days, with various winds.

Close-hauled (sometimes called "pointing high", and "by the wind")	Sailing as close toward the wind as possible without luffing (letting the sails flap); usually boats can sail up to 45 degrees to the wind, although even up to 38 degrees is not unusual.
Close reach	Any sailing direction between the beam reach, and the close-hauled; the wind is still blowing from ahead (forward of abeam).
Beam reach	Sailing at a 90 degree angle from the wind; the wind is blowing from abeam.
Broad reach	Any sailing direction (heading) between the beam reach and the run; the wind is blowing more from astern (behind).
Run (sometimes called "quartering run", and "running by the lee")	Sailing with the wind pushing from astern (behind)

For those who are more visually inclined, maybe this drawing will help to understand the points of sail better.