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Free wind workbench

Points of sail, made visible

Turn a sailing boat relative to the wind. Explore the no-go zone, reaching and running with guided examples and six practice questions. It is an independent revision aid, not official RYA training or assessment.

Direct answer

A point of sail describes the boat’s heading relative to the true wind: close-hauled towards it at an angle, reaching across it, or running away from it. Boats cannot normally sustain sailing within the no-go zone around head to wind.

Includes
Five guided examples and six questions
Controls
Full-circle heading with keyboard support
Model
Approximate heading relationships
Cost
Free, no login required

Learn the wind

Points of sail workbench

Turn the boat and connect each heading to the wind. Follow five guided examples, then check what you noticed.

Link to this tool

Beam reach

Wind from port
Points of sail: Beam reachTrue wind comes from the top. Boat heading is 90 degrees clockwise from that source. Wind from port. The shaded no-go zone extends approximately 45 degrees either side of the source.TRUE WIND FROM HERENO-GO ≈ ±45°270°90°180° · wind astern
Top-down heading diagram. Point-of-sail bands are approximate; the boat is not simulating speed or sail trim.

Clockwise from the wind source. Arrow keys make 1° changes.

Angle to true wind
90°
Heading relationship
Beam reach

Try a heading

Sources and teaching scope

An independent Compass introduction for new sailing crew. Read with the skipper’s instructions for your actual boat and conditions. It does not award a qualification or assess practical competence. Source check: 3 September 2026.

Our editorial policy

Learn the concept

How do you read a points-of-sail diagram?

Find the wind source first, then measure the angle from the bow to that source. In this diagram the wind comes from the top and the boat turns. At 90 degrees it is on a beam reach; at 180 degrees it is on a dead run. The other half of the circle mirrors these headings on the opposite wind side.

Is the no-go zone always 45 degrees each side?

No. This diagram uses about 45 degrees each side as a teaching guide. Actual upwind capability and the boundaries between named reaches vary with the boat, sail set, sea state and conditions.

Where this fits

  • First sailing outingsrelevant
  • Basic Keelboatrelevant
  • Basic Cruisingrelevant

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Common questions

What is the difference between a tack and a point of sail?

The point of sail describes the heading relative to the wind. Port or starboard tack usually identifies the windward side. Mirror-image reaching headings can have the same point of sail on opposite tacks; dead-downwind situations need additional care.