Glossary · Sailing & navigation
Heel
Also called: Gîte, giter, gîter, heeling, angle de gîte
The boat leaning over to one side under the force of the wind.
Wind in the sails makes the boat lean: it heels. Too much heel costs speed, as the sails spill wind and the hull digs in. Racers limit it with the canting keel, ballast, sail trim and by reducing sail.