Sailing with the wind coming from the side, at right angles to the boat.
On a beam reach the wind comes from the side, at about 90° to the boat, over the beam, the widest part of the hull. The sails are eased about halfway out. It's the point of sail between close-hauled and a broad reach.
Advantages
- Fast. For many boats, reaching is among the fastest points of sail: the sails produce plenty of forward drive and little sideways force.
- Easy. Less heel than close-hauled, no risk of an accidental gybe, and small course changes need little trimming.
- Straight there. If the destination lies across the wind, you can sail straight to it, no tacks needed.
Trim
Ease the sheets until the luff of the sails just starts to flutter, then trim back in a little until it stops. On a reach, sails that are pulled in too tight are the most common mistake: the boat heels more and gets slower. The apparent wind comes from further forward than the true wind, so on a true beam reach the sails feel as if you were sailing a little higher.