To maintain steerage and forward momentum in a sailboat under extremely light air conditions. It requires precise trimming of lightweight sails and minimizing crew movement to keep the airflow attached to the sailcloth. Sailors rely on subtle thermal drafts and tidal currents to keep the boat moving when the water surface appears completely glassy.
Keep your weight to leeward and don't move around, we can still ghost past the mark if the tide doesn't turn.
Related terms
Sail
A shaped expanse of flexible material rigged to catch the wind and generate forward propulsion for a vessel.
Beat
To sail a vessel toward the direction the wind is blowing from by making a series of zigzag maneuvers.
Tacking
The maneuver of turning a sailing vessel's bow through the wind to change direction.