The process of changing a sailing vessel's course by steering the bow directly through the eye of the wind, causing the sails to luff and then fill on the opposite side. By executing a series of tacks in a zigzag pattern, a vessel can make forward progress directly against the prevailing wind direction.
Heard on the job
Prepare for tacking, helm to lee, let go the jib sheet!
Also heard as
- coming about
- About
Do not mix it up with
- Wear: Tacking turns the bow through the wind; wearing turns the stern through the wind.