Tack (sailing)

Port tack or starboard tack refers to the feathered position of the mainsail on a sailing ship.

  • If the mainsail on the port side of the ship, it sails on the starboard tack. The mainsail is guided on the port side pods. As a rule, the wind here comes from starboard.
  • If the mainsail on the starboard side of the ship, it sails on starboard tack. The mainsail is guided to starboard pods. As a rule, the wind here is on port tack.

In the case of the course quartering wind (also called " downwind " ), it may happen that despite the wind on the port side the mainsail is on the port side, so the ship is sailing on starboard tack with the port side pods. Conversely, it may also happen that in spite of the wind from the starboard side the mainsail is on the starboard side, so the ship is sailing on starboard with starboard pods. In both cases, the risk of an accidental jibe is given.

Another term which is itself derived from the sailing or Schotstellung of Rahseglern:

  • Starboard jibe corresponds to starboard
  • Port jibe corresponds to starboard
Port and starboard Square rig
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