Glossary · Sailing & navigation
Close-hauled
Also called: Près, au près, upwind, remonter au vent, louvoyer, beating
The point of sail closest to the wind that a sailing boat can hold.
Close-hauled, the boat works its way towards the wind by beating, zigzagging from one side to the other with tacks. It is the slowest and least comfortable point of sail: the boat heels and slams into the waves.
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No source yet · updated 30 Sept 2026