They are the three reaching points of sail. On a close reach the wind is about 60 degrees off the bow; on a beam reach it comes straight over the side; on a broad reach it comes from behind the side. The sails are let further out from each one to the next.
Reaching means sailing across the wind, between close-hauled and running. It is divided into three points of sail, according to where the wind is coming from:
- Close reach: the wind is forward of the side of the boat, at about 60 degrees off the bow. The sails are eased a little from close-hauled. The boat is fast and heels a fair amount.
- Beam reach: the wind comes straight over the side, at right angles to the boat. The sails are about halfway out. For most boats this is the fastest point of sail.
- Broad reach: the wind comes from behind the side, at about 120 to 150 degrees off the bow. The sails are well out. The boat is upright and comfortable, and on many boats this is when a spinnaker is set.
The rule for setting the sails is the same throughout: as you turn away from the wind, let the sails out, and as you turn back towards it, pull them in. To fine-tune on any reach, ease the sheet until the front of the sail just starts to flutter, then pull it back in a little, and check the jib telltales are both streaming.
The beam reach is the best place to learn. The boat is fairly upright and easy to steer, it’s easy to sail out and back on the same line, and she is forgiving if the sails aren’t set quite right.
The broad reach also has a practical use downwind. A boat is usually faster and steadier on a broad reach than on a dead run, so if your destination is directly downwind it is often quicker to sail broad reaches, gybing from one to the other, than to run straight there.
On a close reach in a fresh breeze, the boat can become overpowered and heel a lot. Ease the mainsheet in the gusts to keep her upright.
More in the book: Chapter 4, Points of sail