Tack

[Skipper Nick]

The side your boom is on is the tack your on right? For example if my boom is on the port side is it a port tack?

[44'cruisingcat]

No. The side the wind is coming from is the tack you're on.

[Target9000]

The tack you are on is determined by the wind. Whatever side of the boat the wind is touching first is the tack. So if the wind is passing from starboard to port, then you are on the starboard tack.

The boom can move from side to side during sailing handling or for many other reasons, but the surest fire way is to just think about what side of the boat the wind touches first as it moves past the boat.

[Skipper Nick]

Thanks

[markpierce]

If your boom is on the left, you are on a starboard tack.

[delmarrey]

[QUOTE=markpierce;1266182]If your boom is on the left, you are on a starboard RIGHT tack.[/QUOTE

[thomm225]

And I guess you know that when you are on the starboard tack, you have the right-a-way when meeting another sailboat on port tack............

But off course, rule of thumb is that tonnage always has the right-a-way ...................