<P> A point of sail is a sailing craft's direction of travel under sail in relation to the true wind direction over the surface . </P> <P> The principal points of sail roughly correspond to 45 ° segments of a circle, starting with 0 ° directly into the wind . For many sailing craft 45 ° on either side of the wind is a "no - go" zone, where a sail is unable to mobilize power from the wind . Sailing on a course as close to the wind as possible--approximately 45 °--is termed "close - hauled". At 90 ° off the wind, a craft is on a "beam reach". At 135 ° off the wind, a craft is on a "broad reach". At 180 ° off the wind (sailing in the same direction as the wind), a craft is "running downwind". </P> <P> In points of sail that range from close - hauled to a broad reach, sails act substantially like a wing, with lift predominantly propelling the craft . In points of sail from a broad reach to down wind, sails act substantially like a parachute, with drag predominantly propelling the craft . For craft with little forward resistance, like ice boats and land yachts, this transition occurs further off the wind than for sailboats and sailing ships . In the no - go zone, sails are unable to generate motive power from the wind . </P>

The act of sailing closer into the wind
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