Fore-reaching


Fore-reaching is akin to heaving-to and also depends on the boat, crew and conditions to be successful. Fore-reaching keeps a boat moving forward to windward at greatly reduced speed. It is accomplished by:

    1. sheeting the jib amidships (not quite backed) or lowering it altogether
    2. the mainsail sheeted in tight (and usually reefed) 
    3. the helm lashed slightly to leeward. 


Think of it as sailing your boat very inefficiently to windward. Often a boat that is improperly hove-to ends up fore-reaching unintentionally.

Fore-reaching can be a better alternative than heaving-to in certain situations. In tidal areas, for example, fore-reaching can be used to slow down a boat without losing ground to an outgoing tide or current. If in bad weather your destination lies to windward, using fore-reaching as a defensive technique can keep you safe while still gaining you some ground in the direction you’re going.