Sailing as close to the wind as the boat can efficiently go, with the sails pulled in tight.
Close-hauled is the point of sail closest to the wind: the sails are sheeted in tight and the boat sails as high as it can while still moving well. Any closer and the sails start to luff and the boat stalls. It has entered the no-go zone directly upwind.
How close to the wind
It depends on the boat and the conditions. Many cruising yachts sail close-hauled at roughly 40–50° to the true wind; the apparent wind is then further forward. Racing boats point higher; in waves or very light wind, everyone has to bear away a little to keep speed up.
Sailing it well
- Steer by the telltales on the jib: both streaming means you're in the groove.
- Too high (pinching) costs speed; too low wastes height. The best compromise is the angle with the best VMG. The polar diagram shows where it is.
- Close-hauled brings the most heel and leeway of all points of sail.
To reach a destination straight upwind you sail close-hauled on alternating tacks, known as beating.