Sailing directly into the wind is impossible, so a vessel must progress upwind by sailing at an angle to it, turning the bow through the wind at regular intervals. This zigzag progression requires trimming the sails tight and maintaining momentum through each tack. It is the most labor-intensive point of sail and puts heavy strain on the rigging.
Heard on the job
We had to beat up the channel against a stiff northerly breeze all afternoon.
Also heard as
- beating to windward