Close reach

What does close reach mean in sailing?

A "close reach" describes a sailing course where the boat sails at an angle of 45° to 89° to the apparent wind. Depending on the boat's design and sail trim, narrower angles up to 30° might be achievable. This course is called close reach course.
When sailing close to the wind, the sails must be trimmed appropriately to harness the wind's power effectively. For sailing as close as possible to the wind without causing the sails to luff, the term close-hauled is used. Close-hauled is the steepest angle that still allows the boat to generate forward motion and is particularly critical for beating upwind.

Practical tip:

When sailing on a close reach, trim your sails correctly using telltales as a guide and keep the boat steady on course. Check the wind direction regularly and adjust your steering to maintain speed and minimize leeway.