Heading up

What does heading up mean in sailing?

Heading up refers to changing a sailboat’s course closer to the wind. The boat is steered into a steeper angle to the apparent wind without turning directly into it, which would result in a stop.
During heading up, the sheets are trimmed tighter. Proper sail trim is crucial, as heading up increases pressure on the rig.

The opposite of heading up is bearing away.

Practical tip:

Execute heading up slowly and with control to avoid oversteering. Watch the telltales on the sails and the wind indicator at the masthead to maintain the optimal angle. The command is: “Heading up, trim the sheets.”