Glossary · Sailing & navigation
Tack
Also called: Virement de bord, virer, virement, tacking, bord, amure, tribord amures, bâbord amures
Changing the side the wind comes from by turning the bow through the wind.
Upwind, to reach a point to windward, the boat alternates tacks. Each tack turns the bow through the eye of the wind; the sails switch sides. Single-handed on a racing boat, the sailor must also transfer ballast, swing the keel and switch foils: a tack can take many minutes.
Tack also names the side the wind comes from: starboard tack (wind from the right) or port tack.
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No source yet · updated 30 Sept 2026