Close-Hauled Sailing: Master the Technique to Sail Better

Apr 07, 2025

Close-hauled is the point of sail closest to the wind that a sailboat can take without losing power. In other words, sailing close-hauled means advancing in a direction as close as possible to the wind, usually between 35º and 45º to its direction.

Sailing close-hauled requires precision, technique, and excellent sail trimming. In this position, the boat doesn't head directly into the wind (which is impossible), but it sails as close to it as possible.

How to sail close-hauled?

To sail close-hauled properly, you need to consider several factors:

• Sail trimming: adjust the angle of the sails as tight as possible without causing them to luff.
• Centerboard or keel: helps maintain your heading and prevents the boat from drifting sideways.
• Rudder: should be used gently. Sailing close-hauled is not about strength, but control.

Here you can review the basic sailing maneuvers to complement your technique.

Key techniques to improve your close-hauled sailing

Want to sail close-hauled like a racer? These tips will help you:

• Tight sails: especially the foot and leech.
• Watch the apparent wind: don’t rely on instinct—observe wind indicators or telltales.
• Maintain constant speed: effective close-hauled sailing requires keeping momentum.
• Don’t oversteer: it causes loss of speed and drift.

Common mistakes when sailing close-hauled

Avoid these frequent mistakes:

• Heading too much into the wind: if you point too high, the sails lose power.
• Poorly trimmed sails