To maneuver a sailing vessel onto a new tack by turning away from the wind until the wind crosses the stern. This maneuver is generally safer and requires less momentum than turning the bow through the wind, making it the preferred method in heavy weather or for square-rigged ships that struggle to point high into the wind.
Heard on the job
The swell is too steep to tack, so we'll wear ship and come around the long way.
Also heard as
- wear ship
- gybe
Do not mix it up with
- Tacking: Tacking turns the bow through the wind, while wearing turns the stern through the wind.