Random Nautical Fact: Port and Starboard Tack
It’s been a minute, so for this Random Nautical Fact I’m going back to basics with what it means to be on the port tack and what it means to be on the starboard tack.
If you are facing the front of the boat:
You are on the Port Tack if the wind is coming over the Port (left) side of the boat.
You are on the Starboard Tack is the wind is coming over the Starboard (right) side of the boat.
If you’re facing directly into the wind, you are what’s known as In Irons are you’re not going anywhere, no, literally, your boat is not moving except for whatever currents you might be in
If the wind is coming directly over the stern -- the back of the boat -- you’re running
If you are looking at me like “WTF are you on about”, as a cheat you can use the What Side of the Boat Are the Sails On trick for fore-and-aft or gaff-rigged vessels, i.e. Not Square Riggers: if the sails are on the starboard side, you are on the port tack, and if the sails are on the port side, you are on the starboard tack: meah, I know, it’s opposite and lots of people find that bit counterintuitive.
Also, if you’re on the port tack, you have to give way to vessels on the starboard tack. Rules of the road, as it were: boats on the starboard tack get right of way. (Right of Way/Stand-On probably deserves its own Random Nautical Facts entry but it’s midnight and I’m tired.)
Random Nautical Facts!













