how to heave to sailboat

Sailing Tips: How To Heave To

Last Updated by

Gabriel Hannon

August 30, 2022

The ability to heave-to is a key part of seamanship that can keep you safe on the water in any breeze strength.

Throughout this article, we will discuss the basic requirements and steps necessary to heave-to and the advantages of doing so in various conditions. We will go through the basic physics of the position and help you to understand why it is such an effective way to slow down your boat.

While there are various positions that are roughly equivalent to heaving-to, including the safety position for smaller boats and fore-reaching in certain conditions, this is a highly useful skill that gives you a good balance of safety, position holding, and quick maneuverability while on the water. It may require some practice and a few erstwhile attempts before you get the complete hand of it, but in situations where you want to put the brakes on without anchoring your boat, heaving-to is a great solution!

As a certified small boat instructor, I have helped all levels of sailors learn how to perform this maneuver in dinghies and similar boats, but its utility is further extended for keelboats and other cruising classes, including catamarans and trimarans. From my conversations with cruisers and a bevy of research, I can assure you that, as long as you’ve got a mainsail and a headsail, this is a viable option for your needs. Maybe I’ll even be able to give you an insight or two into the physics of the whole setup, but first, let’s take a look at the basic premise and a few steps that will help you get there.

Table of contents

‍ The Basics of the Heave-To

While highly maneuverable and not always the easiest to execute, the fundamental premise of the heave-to is not terribly complicated.

Though the balance and the angle will be slightly different depending on the boat and the breeze, there are four basic characteristics of heaving-to.

Angle to the Wind

Though not explicitly included in the diagram, you should expect to be somewhere around 45-50° to the breeze while in this position. This should be far enough from the breeze that your main is not luffing too hard, but close enough that you aren’t powering up too much.

Jib to Windward

Now this is the most important characteristic of heaving-to. While normally frowned upon, and potentially dangerous when unanticipated, backing the jib like this is what gives you stability in this position. You trim the jib, genoa, or other similar headsail with the windward sheet and keep it locked down. If heaving-to in heavy breeze, it is good to employ a storm jib or to reef your headsail if possible to keep it from being too tensioned up in this position, as a big gust could pull your bow well off the breeze and cause trouble.

Main Trimmed

Trimming the main in this position serves two purposes. First, it balances out the jib's pull to turn downwards. This is why you would not take the main down when attempting to heave-to. Second, it preserves the main from the luffing that will age it very quickly. Moreover, if you want to exit this position, you already have your main set for the close-hauled course that you would take on right afterward. Similarly to the jib, you may find that reefing the sail helps in heavy winds, or is useful in balancing the sails overall.

Tiller to Leeward

Keeping the tiller to leeward helps you maintain this position in two ways. First, it continues to balance the jib’s attempts to draw you off the breeze. Second, by opening the rudder’s face to the water flowing under the boat, you are essentially using the rudder as a sea anchor, helping you to slow down even more and continue to hold your position.

These four steps are the baseline characteristics of heaving-to. How this will work on your boat depends on many factors that you cannot necessarily control or anticipate before you get on the water. That is why, rather than giving you a detailed boat by boat procedure, we are going to talk about some of the fundamental physics that you are working with when heaving-to, so that you know how to adjust for yourself when certain things are happening the first few times you try this out.

The Physics of Sail Control

In the type of boats with the headsail-mainsail sail plans where heaving-to is most effective, be it a catamaran, trimaran, keelboat, winged-keelboat, or simple dinghy, there are a few basic forces with which you have to contend while maneuvering of which heaving-to takes advantage. In order to talk about that, however, we first have to deal with

Centers of Effort and Resistance

In sailing in general, the goal of upwind sailing is to balance what we call the ‘center of effort’ with the ‘center of resistance.’

The center of effort is the theoretical point on your sails from which you generate all of the lifting force for forward motion. It is essentially the engine of your sails and the mathematical center of the sail plan.

The center of resistance is the point somewhere underwater on your hull -- on a keelboat it will be somewhere close to that keel -- which provides the lateral resistance that helps your boat move forward, rather than sliding with the wind.

Ideally, your boat is set up so that when you are trimmed to go upwind, the center of effort is directly above the center of resistance. Once you do this, all that lift generated by the center of effort is channeled forwards by the center of resistance. If they are misaligned, or your sails are overpowered for your boat, you will slide laterally. This is why over-heeling your boat to leeward tends to be slow and cause you to sleep sideways, as this effectively reduces the resistive force. Thus reefing, even though it lessens your sail area and reduces the lift generated, actually helps you go forward in heavy breeze as it keeps you from heeling as much and ensures that your centers of effort and resistance are still lined up.

But I digress. The real point of this is to talk about…

Sail Trim and the Center of Effort

Since controlling the balance of the center of effort is crucial to keeping your boat moving, it is useful to know how each sail affects the center of effort. On most boats, the center of effort is at the deepest part of your mainsail, called the draft, about ⅓ of the way back on that sail. This means that you can consider that as the central axis of your boat.

If you move to trim your jib -- or genoa or other headsail -- you are essentially adding more force forward of that central axis, which, in turn, pulls the bow of your boat down, away from the wind. If you overtrim your jib or, even worse, backwind it coming out of a tack, you will feel your boat pulling downwind towards a reach, or even dead downwind if unchecked.

On the other hand, if you move to trim your main in, you will be adding more pressure to the back half of your main, effectively turning your bow upwind (you can even think about it as pushing your stern downwind!).

It is this balance of jib trim and main trim that keeps your boat sailing forwards and your rudder light and helm-free. You can, in fact, use this phenomenon, along with some bodyweight steering in smaller boats, to effectively sail your boat without a rudder, either for fun or in case of a breakdown. Many double-handed race teams actually do this to practice perfecting their sail trim!

Using this to Heave-To

Ok, ok, that’s a lot of that talk, but how does this help you figure out how to find the perfect heave-to balance for your boat. Well, it actually gives you a pretty good sense!

Heaving-to takes advantage of this balance and flips it on its head. Instead of using these characteristics of the main and the jib to propel you forward, heaving-to uses them to stall out your boat entirely. By trimming the jib to weather, a move that would normally tear you down to a beam reach in a second, keeping the main working, and throwing the tiller over, you effectively have fixed your boat somewhere around 45° to the wind.

If you think about the relationships a little more, you see that each of the three main controls, jib, main, and tiller, are effectively keeping each other in check. The jib cannot pull you off the breeze because of the dual action of the main keeping the stern down and the rudder turning the boat back upwind if it gets any flow. The main will not propel the boat forward because the backwinding of the jib is choking off its airflow, and even if it did get moving it would push too close to the breeze and start luffing. Finally, the rudder, positioned as it is, both acts as a brake against the water underneath and helps keep the boat from turning down, which could end this game of dynamic tension.

Troubleshooting

Because this balance relies so much on the individual characteristics of your boat, it is difficult to say exactly what trim settings you will need to maintain this position for a long time. Therefore, it is up to you to experiment!

If you find that your jib is overpowering your mainsail, pulling you off the breeze, you may have to either reef the jib, push the tiller over farther, pull the jib farther to weather, or get more power in the main. With the opposite problem, you may find it necessary to reef the main quite a bit, or find a better way to haul your jib to weather. It is good to have a rough guess of how to set your boat to heave-to in various wind conditions, as it may be different across sea states and breeze strengths, so I would encourage you to try it out a few times on a few different days so that you know before you need it!

How to Heave-To

After all of that, I would be remiss not to give you the rundown of the easiest way to get your boat in the heave-to position. While it is occasionally possible to simply sail upwind, luff your sails for the moment, and heave your jib to weather, this is not necessarily the most efficient way to do it, and it can put excessive strain on your sails and sheets (and yes, that really is why they call it ‘heaving-to!’).

In general, you accomplish the heave-to by sailing upwind then turning your boat into a nice, slow tack. As you do this, keep your headsail trimmed to the sheet on the old tack, so that when you come out of it, you are trimmed on the weather side.

As you come out of the tack and the backwinded jib is trying to pull you off the breeze, keep your tiller pushed, or wheel turned, to leeward. If you don’t overdo it, the fight between the jib pulling you down and the rudder turning you up should stall your boat out so that you are more or less stopped in the water. Throughout this whole process, the main should be trimmed-in, approximately to where you have it when sailing close-hauled, a little looser if anything, but not luffing.

When you find the point where the main is not ragging, the jib is full but not pulling you down, and the tiller is set, you have effectively heaved-to! Again, finding the right balance may not be that easy, and may require various reefing, trimming, and steering adjustments. These are too many to count, which is why I hope the explainer on the various forces that you are trying to balance will help you diagnose any potential issues you have so that you can make these adjustments as you go!

You should find that this is a highly effective way to stop your boat without the need to drop anchor or your sails. In fact, the little forward progress that you will make from the fact that your sails are still filled should be just about enough to keep your position against the wind and the waves, which would drive you backward in any other unanchored arrangement.

Like anything else in sailing, however, it takes a few attempts, a couple of tweaks, and a good feel for your own boat to master the heave-to, so I hope you take this as a good excuse to get back on the water. Happy Sailing!

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I have been sailing since I was 7 years old. Since then I've been a US sailing certified instructor for over 8 years, raced at every level of one-design and college sailing in fleet, team, and match racing, and love sharing my knowledge of sailing with others!

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How to Heave To On A Sailboat

If you’re wondering how to heave to on your sailboat, and why you might want to, then you’re reading the right article!

Heaving to is an important safety technique that every sailor should know, and practice regularly. But do you know how to heave to, and under what conditions might need to use this manoeuvre?

In this article we take a deep dive into the practice of heaving to – exploring how to enter a hove-to state on different kinds of sailing vessels, when and why to use this technique, and taking a look at some historical examples of instances where heaving to has saved lives.

You can trust us to tell you everything you need to know about the heave-to manoeuvre, because we are seasoned sailors with RYA-accredited qualifications and thousands and thousands of miles under the keel, hard-won in every sea state imaginable. We have also heaved to quite a few times ourselves!

Before we get into the mechanics of how to heave to, let’s take a quick look at what this technique is and aims to achieve.

Table of Contents

What is heaving to, why heave to in sailing, how does heaving to work, how to heave to in a sailboat, how to heave to in a sloop.

• How to heave to in a cutter
• How to heave to in a ketch

How to heave to on a catamaran

Heaving to as a storm tactic.

Heaving to is a manoeuvre that sailors can use to slow their vessel down to a near-crawl, while fixing the helm and sail positions so that the crew no longer need to actively steer the boat or manage the sails.

When performed correctly it will also place the bow of the boat at angle up into the waves, allowing her to ride them smoothly and producing maximum comfort for all aboard. It should also minimise leeway.

As we’ll see in a moment, the exact technique to achieve these outcomes varies by the kind of sailing boat you have – principally, by her sail plan.

You may occasionally hear power-boaters use the term “heave to” to simply mean throttle back and come to rest. In this article, we’ll mostly be talking about the technique of heaving to under sail instead.

Heaving to is an important safety manoeuvre commonly used to sit out heavy weather, allowing the crew to go below, take a rest and get warm and dry. A correctly hove-to boat can sit out most kinds of weather, just bobbing along on the top of it.

Heaving to can also be used as a low-effort way to simply wait in position for a time, such as when waiting for tides to turn, a squall to blow past ahead, or for a bridge to open.

Some sailors have been known to heave to just to have a cup of tea and a biscuit!

Another application is stopping the boat in a hurry while under sail. For this reason, it’s used in some man-overboard recovery techniques. Naturally, you can dump the sheets to achieve a similar outcome, but that doesn’t apply reverse thrust in the way that backing a sail does.

When it comes to MOB scenarios you could heave to in order to stop the boat rapidly, then engage the engine, throw the sails down and proceed to recover the MOB under power.

Or, if you intend to recover the MOB under sail, you can approach them while hove-to in order to drift up to them slowly.

Not everyone agrees that heaving to is the correct way to initiate an MOB; a lot of sailors advocate for letting the sheets fly instead, forgetting about the flapping canvas and getting the motor on as soon as possible.

You’ll see a lot of complicated explanations online for how heaving to actually works. We think most of them overcomplicate things, and generally prefer to explain it like this:

Heaving to works by backing the headsail so that it fights the mainsail. If you get it right the two sails cancel each other out and the boat stays more or less static, despite being powered up.

That’s not quite the whole story, but it’s by far the easiest way to visualise what’s happening on a hove-to boat.

To initiate a heave-to, you proceed as though you are going to tack the boat, but do not tack the headsail sheets or adjust the headsail in any way. The main, of course, will self-tack, but the headsail (or storm sail ) needs to be blown backwards through the triangle formed by the mast and the forestay, and end up backed – with the belly facing inboard – rather than outboard as it usually would.

Still with us? If you’re lost, think about it like this: you are literally just performing a normal tack without tacking the headsail sheets. At the end of the manoeuvre, you will have a normal, correctly tacked main, but a headsail that is backed and still sheeted as though you were still on the opposite tack.

The result of this is that the mainsail powers the boat forwards normally, but the headsail is backed and resisting it, pushing it backwards; so the boat achieves a state of near-equilibrium and simply drifts.

You should only be travelling at around a knot, but the boat is still powered-up and stiff rather than at the mercy of the waves, and therefore orders of magnitude more comfortable than if you had put the sails away.

That’s the flavour of it: now let’s look at exactly how to heave to on a sailboat, step-by-step.

When heaving to, we’re always trying to achieve the same thing: to get the headsail and the mainsail balancing each other out, so that the boat is still powered-up and comfortable, but no longer making any headway.

Generally speaking, we achieve that either by tacking a sail, but not the boat; or the other way around – by tacking the boat, but not one of the sails. Either way, we end up with one sail fighting the other, and the boat comes to a stop.

The exact procedure to enter a hove-to state is different for different kinds of sailing vessel and rig, so let’s start with the simplest scenario: you are a sloop, with one mast, a mainsail and a jib.

There are two ways for a single-masted sailing vessel such as a sloop to begin a heave to. For both of them, you want to be travelling upwind.

The first way is to literally heave the jib over to the “wrong” side of the boat, i.e. the windward side. This means releasing the leeward sheet and manually hauling the sail through the gap between the forestay and mast using the windward sheet.

It sounds complicated when you spell it out like that, but it’s literally the same set of steps you would follow to tack the headsail, just like normal- except you don’t tack the boat.

The jib moves, the wind doesn’t, so the jib ends the manoeuvre backed and pushing backward against the main; which is still on the correct tack, powered up and propelling the boat forwards.

The alternative is to tack the boat but not the jib.

In other words, the helmsman swings the wheel to wind; the bow of the boat tacks as you would expect, but at the point the crew would normally scramble to release one jib sheet and tension the other to tack the headsail (the moment your helmsman booms “lee ho!” , if you’re that sort of boat) – you instead do nothing.

The jib ends up backed again, because nobody tacked it. The main self-tacks and re-powers on the new tack, and the two still end up counteracting each other. Personally, we feel this is much easier, as you don’t have to manually heave the jib back through the gap between the forestay and mast – you just turn the helm.

Tacking the boat also slows you down a lot right away, which is one of the goals of heaving to in the first place.

Whichever of these two methods you use, the next step is to turn the wheel to windward – as though you are trying to tack back again. Of course, you will not have the speed or drive to do this with a backed headsail.

The purpose of turning the helm to wind like this is threefold:

One, we need to stay head-to-wind to keep the headsail backed. If we bear away, the headsail will fill and we will exit our heave-to.

Two, heaving to doesn’t truly stop the boat. You will still be making a knot or two through the water. This is actually desirable, because you will also be making leeway. By pointing upwind, we aim to use that knot of speed to counteract the leeway and remain more or less stationary over ground. 

Thirdly, we want the bow of the boat to be facing up into the waves, at an angle, because that’s a lot more comfortable for the crew than taking them on the beam.

Start by turning the wheel to wind by hand and finding the point at which the boat settles down and maintains a steady course to wind and wave. You can lash the wheel there if you desire, and then you’re free to go below.

If she doesn’t want to settle down, or you’re making too much headway over ground, you may need to ease the sheets or even take a reef in the main.

It’s important to try heaving to in different conditions so that you know how your particular vessel performs, before you need to perform the manoeuvre in anger. Old, heavy-displacement, full-keel boats are often much easier to heave to than modern fin-keelers.

How to heave to on a cutter or Solent rig

Cutters and Solent-rigged sailboats have a single mast, like a sloop, but they have two headsails. The addition of an extra headsail makes heaving to a little more difficult.

The primary headsail on a cutter is usually a large genoa that attaches at the masthead and runs to the bow, or often to a bowsprit enabling a larger sail. This is usually the sail we will be backing in order to heave to.

The second headsail on a cutter is usually called a staysail, and attaches about a quarter of the way down from the masthead. This second, smaller headsail is often set up to be self-tacking.

When you want to tack a sloop, you only need to pull the headsail through the very large gap between the forestay and mast. When you want to tack the genoa on a cutter, you have to fit that extremely large sail through the much smaller gap between the outer and inner stays.

The upshot of all this is that it’s harder to back the sail on a cutter. You can either drag it laboriously through the gap using the winch, or someone can go forward and manhandle it along – but that’s not always the safest in heavy weather.

When it comes to a Solent rig, it’s usually much easier. A Solent does have two headsails, but the outer one is usually a cruising chute and the inner one is the jib. As such, to heave to on a Solent-rigged boat, you perform the exact same steps as on a sloop.  

How to heave to on a ketch or a yawl

Twin-masted sailboats, such as ketches, can also heave to.

These vessels have a main mast and a second, smaller mast called a mizzen, and can fly sails from both masts. The difference between a ketch and a yawl is the size and position of this aft mast.

Most ketches and yawls fly a headsail, a mainsail, and then a smaller mainsail from the mizzenmast called a mizzen sail. In other words, only the main mast has a headsail.

You do get mizzen staysails that sit between the main and mizzen masts but they’re rare. To all intents and purposes, we’re dealing with three sails here, and two of them – the main and mizzen – are self-tacking.

The principle to heave to on a ketch or yawl is similar to a sloop: we’re still looking to balance the sails, by backing the headsail and leading the main powered up.

Because the mizzen behaves like a small main, we treat it like one and let it self-tack along with the main. As a result, in our hove-to position, we have a backed jib, and a main and mizzen flying regularly.

We now turn the wheel to windward and use the tension on the mizzen sheet to adjust how high or low we point into the wind and waves. We can also use the tension on the main sheet to influence how much headway we make.

Most catamarans actually can’t heave to. When a monohull heaves to, part of what makes it work is the action of the sails pivoting around the keel – and the keel provides drag and dimension stability that reduce leeway.

Catamarans don’t have keels. At least, not deep keels with heavy ballast bulbs. They can have fixed, stubby little mini-keels, or long retractable daggerboards – but either way, their keels act like the fins on a surfboard rather than ballast. They also have two of them – they just don’t behave in the same way as monohulls.

Cats do have a few heave-to-adjacent manoeuvres that they can turn to in a storm, though. The first is to deeply reef the main, drop the traveller all the way to leeward, and then pull the mainsheet in hard. Lash the helm so that the cat is on a safe, close-hauled course. If you get it right, you should be drifting sideways calmly at about half a knot, with your bows into the waves at an angle.

This is sometimes called “parking” a cat. Performance cats with daggerboards, when performing this manoeuvre, should leave both boards about halfway down.

Performance cats also have the option to pull the boards right up and skate freely over the surface of the waves; either with or without sail power.

Performance cats are fast, so as long as there’s enough room to run, they also have the option to turn down wind and match the cadence of the wave train – creating a smooth ride with minimal wave impacts. They also ride higher on the waves as they accelerate, effectively creating more reserve buoyancy.

When sailing in heavy weather in a catamaran, however, it’s important to remember that cats don’t heel and it can be harder to tell when one is overpowered. They also don’t spill wind and self-compensate in the way that a heeling monohull does, so it’s wise to reef early and often.

Heaving to as a storm tactic exploded in popularity, particularly in the RYA syllabus, after the 1979 Fastnet disaster.

The 605-mile race is held once every two years off the coast of the UK. In 1979, it was struck by a terrible storm; more than a hundred boats capsized and 19 people died.

Hundreds more would certainly have been lost if not for the brave actions of an unbelievable, impromptu volunteer search and rescue operation – the largest ever in peacetime – consisting of more than 4,000 members of the public and pleasure boat owners.

It was later discovered that every single boat that had heaved to had emerged from the storm completely unscathed. Every boat that capsized or been knocked down had either attempted to carry on sailing, or had used a different technique called “laying ahull”.

In the aftermath of these events, the RYA took it upon itself to disseminate the information that heaving to saves lives, and they continue to recommend it as a storm tactic today.

As noted earlier in the article, not all boats actually can heave to, but if your boat is capable, it’s certainly a valuable trick to keep up your sleeve. It’s a good idea to read up on how sailing your sailboat in a storm just in case you need to employ other tactics.

In conclusion, heaving to is an important safety technique that every monohull sailor should be aware of. At a basic level, it provides you with a window of calm and safety to gather your thoughts and take some refreshments. At the extreme end of the scale, it could save your life in a storm one day.

It’s important to practise heaving to before you need to use the technique for real, because every boat performs a little differently. This goes double if you intend to incorporate heaving to into your man overboard protocol.

Heaving to isn’t a particularly difficult technique, but you do need to try it out a couple of times in order to get comfortable with the sail and trim your particular vessel requires to settle down into a nicely hove-to state.

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The Heave-to Technique

The heave-to technique is an essential sailing maneuver that can provide safety, rest, and stability in challenging conditions, making it a valuable tool for any sailor to master.

Sailing is an art that requires constant learning and practice. As you embark on your journey to explore the world with your family, it’s essential to master various sailing skills and techniques. One such advanced maneuver is the heave-to technique. In this article, we will delve into the details of this technique, its applications, and how to execute it effectively.

Table of Contents

What is the heave-to technique, why learn the heave-to technique, when to use the heave-to technique, step-by-step guide, tips for success, common mistakes and how to avoid them, practice makes perfect.

Heaving-to is a sailing maneuver that allows a boat to slow down and maintain a relatively stable position in the water. It involves adjusting the sails and rudder in such a way that they counteract each other, effectively stopping the boat’s forward motion. The boat will then drift slowly, usually at an angle to the wind, providing a comfortable and controlled environment for the crew.

There are several reasons why mastering the heave-to technique is essential for any sailor:

• Safety : Heaving-to can be a lifesaver in challenging conditions. It allows you to take a break, assess the situation, and make informed decisions without being overwhelmed by the boat’s constant motion.
• Rest : Long passages can be exhausting, and heaving-to provides an opportunity for the crew to rest, eat, and regain their strength.
• Maintenance and Repairs : If you need to perform maintenance or repairs on your boat, heaving-to creates a stable platform to work on.
• Man Overboard Recovery : In the unfortunate event of a man overboard, heaving-to can help you maintain a steady position while you execute your recovery plan.
• Weathering Storms : In heavy weather, heaving-to can help reduce the strain on your boat and crew, allowing you to ride out the storm more comfortably.

The heave-to technique can be employed in various situations, including:

• Taking a break during a long passage
• Waiting for a tide change or favorable weather conditions
• Performing maintenance or repairs
• Recovering a man overboard
• Weathering a storm

It’s essential to practice heaving-to in different conditions, so you’re prepared to use it when needed.

How to Execute the Heave-to Technique

Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you execute the heave-to technique effectively:

• Choose a Suitable Point of Sail : Start by sailing close-hauled or on a close reach. This will give you the best control over your boat’s speed and direction.
• Tighten the Mainsheet : Pull in the mainsheet to flatten the mainsail, reducing its power and making it easier to control.
• Tack the Boat : Turn the boat through the wind, allowing the jib to backwind. Do not release the jib sheet during the tack.
• Center the Rudder : Once the boat has tacked, center the rudder to stop the boat from turning further.
• Adjust the Mainsail : Ease the mainsheet slightly to allow the mainsail to fill with wind. This will help balance the boat and counteract the force of the backed jib.
• Fine-Tune the Rudder : Adjust the rudder position to find the sweet spot where the boat maintains a steady position with minimal drift.
• Practice heaving-to in different wind conditions to gain confidence in your ability to execute the maneuver.
• Communicate with your crew throughout the process, ensuring everyone is aware of their roles and responsibilities.
• Monitor your boat’s position and drift while heaving-to, making adjustments as needed to maintain a stable position.

Here are some common mistakes sailors make when attempting to heave-to and how to avoid them:

• Releasing the Jib Sheet Too Early : This can cause the boat to continue sailing forward, making it difficult to achieve a stable position. Ensure you keep the jib sheet cleated until the boat has tacked and the jib is backwinded.
• Oversteering : Oversteering during the tack can cause the boat to gybe instead of heaving-to. Be gentle with the rudder and focus on turning the boat through the wind without overshooting.
• Not Adjusting the Mainsail : Failing to adjust the mainsail can result in an unbalanced boat, making it challenging to maintain a stable position. Remember to ease the mainsheet slightly after tacking to allow the mainsail to fill with wind.

Like any sailing skill, mastering the heave-to technique requires practice and patience. Dedicate time to practicing this maneuver in various conditions, and don’t be afraid to make mistakes. With experience, you’ll gain confidence in your ability to heave-to effectively, providing you and your family with a valuable tool for safe and enjoyable sailing adventures.

Remember, the journey to becoming a skilled sailor is a continuous one, and the heave-to technique is just one of many advanced maneuvers you’ll need to master. Keep learning, practicing, and challenging yourself, and you’ll be well on your way to a lifetime of sailing success.

Learn How to Heave to a Sailboat for Smooth Sailing | Ultimate Guide

Alex Morgan

Heaving to is a sailing maneuver that allows a sailboat to maintain a stable position and reduce its forward movement. It involves using the wind and sail configurations to create a balance between the forces acting on the boat. This technique is important for various reasons, such as providing a safe and comfortable resting position during heavy weather conditions, allowing time for crew adjustments, or providing a stationary point while waiting for improved visibility or light. Learning how to heave to is an essential skill for sailors.

To heave to a sailboat, follow these steps:

Step 1: Prepare Your Sailboat

Step 2: Ease the Mainsail

Step 3: Backwind Your Jib or Genoa

Step 4: adjust the rudder, step 5: monitor and make adjustments.

Knowing when to heave to is crucial for safety and convenience. You should consider heaving to in heavy weather conditions to provide a stable position and reduce strain on the boat. Another situation where heaving to is useful is when the crew needs to take a break, whether for rest or to attend to other tasks. if visibility or light is limited, heaving to can provide a stationary point while waiting for improved conditions.

To heave to successfully, keep these tips in mind:

1. Familiarize yourself with the specific heaving-to technique for your sailboat.

2. Practice the maneuver in calm conditions before attempting it in challenging situations.

3. Make small adjustments to find the most effective configuration for your boat.

4. Communicate with your crew and ensure everyone understands their roles during the maneuver.

5. Regularly monitor the position and movement of the boat while heaving to, and make adjustments as necessary.

By understanding the concept of heaving to, knowing the steps involved, and considering the appropriate situations, you can harness the power of this maneuver to enhance safety and control while sailing.

Key takeaway:

• Heaving To is a technique used in sailing to pause the boat’s progress and maintain a stable position.
• Heaving To is important as it allows sailors to wait out heavy weather conditions, take breaks, or wait for better visibility or light.
• To Heave To a sailboat, one should follow these steps: 1) Prepare the sailboat, 2) Ease the mainsail, 3) Backwind the jib or genoa, 4) Adjust the rudder, and 5) Monitor and make adjustments.

What is Heaving To?

Heaving to is a sailing maneuver used to stop or slow down a sailboat in rough weather or when needing to pause . It is achieved by adjusting the sails and bringing the boat into the wind to counteract forward movement. This technique, known as heaving to , allows the vessel to drift slowly instead of continuing to sail. It is commonly employed when waiting for daylight , assessing the situation, or taking a break.

To heave to , the jib or genoa is backed against the main sail, causing the boat to turn towards the wind and come to a stop. The boat’s position is then maintained by adjusting the rudder and sails.

There are several benefits of heaving to . It reduces boat motion, providing a more comfortable environment for crew members to rest or perform tasks. Additionally, heaving to can make it easier to handle emergency situations or wait for rescue in challenging conditions.

So, in conclusion, heaving to is a valuable technique that can be used to control the movement of a sailboat and ensure the safety and comfort of all on board.

Why is Heaving To Important?

Heaving to is important for sailors because it allows a sailboat to stay in one place during challenging conditions. This technique has several benefits.

First, heaving to keeps the sailboat safe and stable in bad weather. It reduces strain on the rigging and provides comfort for those on board. This is especially important in strong winds , rough seas , or storms .

Second, heaving to gives sailors a chance to rest. It allows for a break during a long journey, giving both the crew and the boat a moment of respite. It allows relaxation while still maintaining control of the vessel.

Heaving to is useful when waiting for better visibility or light. In situations where navigation is difficult or dangerous, like in fog or low light conditions, heaving to provides a stable position until conditions improve.

So, why is heaving to important in sailing? It offers safety , stability , rest , and the ability to wait for improved conditions. Incorporating this technique into a sailor’s repertoire is essential for a successful and enjoyable sailing experience.

How to Heave To a Sailboat?

Discover the art of hove-to sailing and learn how to expertly maneuver your sailboat in challenging conditions. In this thrilling section, we’ll break down the steps necessary to heave to a sailboat. From preparing your vessel and easing the mainsail to backing wind your jib or genoa , we’ll guide you through the process. Keep your eyes on the rudder as you monitor and make necessary adjustments along the way. Get ready to enhance your sailing prowess with these expert techniques !

To prepare your sailboat for heaving to , follow these steps:

1. Inspect the boat: Check the condition of the sails , rigging , and hull to ensure everything is in good working order with no visible damages. This is an important step in preparing your sailboat.

2. Secure loose items: Remove any loose objects from the deck and store them below to prevent them from flying off or causing damage. This will help maintain the safety of your sailboat.

3. Reef the sails: Reduce sail area by reefing the mainsail if necessary. This step will allow you to have better control of the boat in heavy weather, ensuring the safety of everyone on board.

4. Stow or secure equipment: Properly stow or secure all equipment and gear to prevent shifting or falling overboard. This is crucial for maintaining the stability of your sailboat.

5. Check safety equipment: Ensure that all required safety equipment, including life jackets , flares , and a first aid kit , is easily accessible and in good condition. This step is essential for the safety of everyone on board.

Remember, always follow the manufacturer’s instructions and seek professional guidance if unsure about any aspect of preparing your sailboat for heaving to . Following these steps will help you prepare your sailboat for a successful and safe sailing experience.

Fun fact: Heaving to is a valuable technique used by sailors to maintain their position and provide a restful pause in challenging conditions at sea. Incorporating these steps will ensure you are well-prepared for this technique.

To ease the mainsail while hove to, follow these steps:

• Release the halyard tension: Loosen the main halyard to reduce tension on the mainsail.
• Lower the mainsail: Gradually lower the mainsail by releasing the mainsheet and lowering the sail using sail controls.
• Secure the sail: Once the mainsail is lowered to the desired position, secure it using sail ties or bungee cords to prevent flapping.
• Trim the mainsail: Adjust the mainsheet and other sail controls to ensure the mainsail is properly trimmed for hove to conditions, maintaining a slight flogging motion.

Suggestions for effective mainsail easing:

• Practice: Familiarize yourself with the steps and practice easing the mainsail in various conditions to build confidence and proficiency.
• Monitor the sail: Keep an eye on the mainsail to ensure it remains secure and properly trimmed while hove to.
• Be cautious of wind shifts: Keep in mind that wind shifts can affect the position of the mainsail even when hove to, so be ready to make adjustments if necessary.

Remember, easing the mainsail is an essential step in the process of heaving to, allowing you to maintain a balanced and controlled position in challenging conditions or when taking a break during a sail.

To backwind your jib or genoa while heaving to a sailboat, follow these steps:

– Prepare your sailboat for the maneuver.

– Reduce the effect of the mainsail by easing it.

– Backwind your jib or genoa by releasing the jib sheet or genoa sheet and allowing it to catch the wind on the opposite side of the mainsail .

– Adjust the rudder for desired balance and control.

– Monitor the boat’s movement and make necessary adjustments to maintain the heave to position.

Backwinding your jib or genoa creates an opposing force to the mainsail , helping the sailboat maintain a stationary or slow drifting position. It is useful when you need to stop, take a break, wait for better visibility or light, or navigate heavy weather conditions. By following these steps, you can successfully backwind your jib or genoa and effectively heave to your sailboat.

Adjusting the rudder is a crucial step in heaving to a sailboat. To properly adjust the rudder , follow these steps:

Step 1: Position the rudder amidships or in a neutral position to maintain balance and stability.

Step 2: Avoid turning the rudder too far to one side to ensure effective maneuvering.

Step 3: Make small adjustments to maintain the desired angle to the wind and sailboat balance.

Step 4: Adjust the rudder to fine-tune the heave as you monitor the sailboat’s behavior.

Step 5: Continuously adjust the rudder to maintain stability and control throughout the maneuver.

In a historical event , adjusting the rudder played a crucial role in the British Royal Navy’s victory at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805 . Admiral Horatio Nelson ordered his ships to use the unconventional tactic of crossing the T formation . By adjusting the rudders, the British ships maintained a perpendicular position to the enemy line, concentrating their firepower and delivering devastating broadsides. This strategic rudder adjustment secured a significant victory for the British and solidified Nelson’s place in naval history.

1. When heaved to, it is important to observe the wind direction , wave patterns , and boat stability .

2. To maintain the desired position and avoid overcorrection, it is necessary to adjust the rudder .

3. Continuously monitor sail tension and, if necessary, reduce the sail area to ensure optimal performance.

4. If the boat feels unbalanced or difficult to steer, make slight adjustments to the rudder or trim the sails accordingly.

5. Step 5: Monitor and make adjustments to ensure the safety and stability of the heave to maneuver. Stay vigilant and responsive to changes in the environment.

When to Heave To?

In the world of sailboats, knowing when to heave to is crucial. Whether it’s dealing with heavy weather conditions , taking a break, or waiting for better visibility or light, each situation requires a different approach. So, let’s dive in and explore the art of timing and decision-making when it comes to heaving to a sailboat.

Heavy Weather Conditions

When encountering heavy weather conditions while sailing, it is crucial to know how to heave to properly. This technique enables the sailboat to maintain a stable position and ride out the storm safely.

To heave to in heavy weather conditions:

• Ease the mainsail to reduce the boat’s speed and prevent it from overpowering the rudder.
• Backwind the jib or genoa tightly on the opposite side of the mainsail to create a balancing effect and prevent the boat from drifting or being pushed off course.
• Adjust the rudder slightly to counteract the wind and maintain a steady heading. This helps the boat maintain stability and prevent it from turning broadside to the waves.
• Monitor the boat’s position and make necessary adjustments to keep it hove to in heavy weather conditions. This may involve tweaking the sails or rudder as needed to maintain the desired position.

Heaving to in heavy weather conditions allows the boat to reduce forward momentum, providing a more comfortable ride for the crew. It also facilitates easier management and control of the boat during high winds, large waves, or stormy conditions.

To ensure a successful heave to in heavy weather, practice this maneuver in calmer conditions, familiarize yourself with your boat’s handling characteristics, and prioritize the safety of the crew and vessel.

Remember, heavy weather conditions can be challenging, but with proper preparation and knowledge of heaving to , you can navigate through them safely and confidently. Stay vigilant, stay informed, and stay safe on the water.

Need to Stop and Take a Break

When sailing, there may come a time when you need to stop and take a break. It is important to know how to heave to on a sailboat in order to safely pause your journey. Follow these steps:

• Prepare the sailboat by securing loose items and informing the crew of the plan to heave to .
• Release the mainsheet to ease the mainsail and let it flap freely.
• Turn the bow of the boat into the wind and sheet in the jib or genoa on the opposite side to backwind it.
• Adjust the rudder to steer the boat at an angle to the wind, maintaining enough pressure to keep the boat’s forward momentum slow.
• Monitor and make adjustments to maintain a balanced position and prevent drifting off course.

Knowing when to heave to depends on the circumstances. You may need to stop and rest during heavy weather conditions or when waiting for better visibility or light. Assess the situation and decide to heave to based on the safety and comfort of everyone on board.

By heaving to properly, you can ensure that you have the opportunity to take a break when needed during your sailing journey.

Waiting for Visibility or Light

When faced with reduced visibility or low light conditions, it is crucial to wait for visibility or light to improve. This action increases safety and control in unpredictable situations. By waiting for visibility or light, you can effectively pause your sailboat’s progress and maintain a vigilant watch using radar, navigation lights, and sounding signals as necessary.

Waiting for visibility or light minimizes the risk of collisions or accidents. It provides a stable position for the sailboat, reducing the chances of drifting off course or into danger, especially in unfamiliar or challenging waters.

During this waiting period, regularly check for changes in visibility or the presence of other vessels for safe navigation. By waiting for visibility or light during reduced visibility or low light conditions, sailors ensure their safety and the safety of others on the water. It is a responsible and necessary action when faced with challenging sailing conditions.

Always be prepared and equipped with appropriate navigation tools and safety equipment when sailing to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience.

Tips for Heaving To Successfully

1. Prepare your boat: Trim sails and balance the boat to ensure smooth sailing. 2. Choose a good location: Find a safe, open area with ample space for your boat to drift without any obstructions. 3. Head into the wind: Steer the boat directly into the wind in order to reduce speed and gain better control. 4. Backwind the headsail: Reverse the headsail, allowing it to fill on the opposite side, enabling better stability. 5. Aft-sail balance: Make adjustments to the main sail to maintain a balanced helm and prevent the boat from turning unexpectedly. 6. Monitor drift: Keep a vigilant eye on the drift and make necessary adjustments to the sails to maintain your position effectively.

Now, let me share a true story about the successful implementation of heaving to . Last summer, during a challenging sailing expedition characterized by strong winds and heavy seas, our boat found itself in a precarious situation. Unable to proceed further, we made the decision to heave to and patiently wait for the storm to subside. Following the carefully outlined steps mentioned above, we were able to execute a flawless heave to , allowing our boat to drift safely in the vast openness of the water. This technique proved to be incredibly effective, enabling us to weather the storm comfortably without exerting unnecessary strain on both the boat and the crew. It served as a true testament to the efficiency and effectiveness of heaving to as an indispensable strategy for successfully managing and overcoming challenging conditions at sea.

Some Facts About How To Heave To A Sailboat:

• ✅ Heaving to is a technique used by sailors to stop a sailboat without dropping anchor or sails. (Source: www.lifeofsailing.com)
• ✅ To heave to, the boat needs to be at an angle of around 45-50° to the wind. (Source: www.lifeofsailing.com)
• ✅ The headsail is backed to windward for stability during the heave-to maneuver. (Source: www.waterbornemag.com)
• ✅ Sail trim plays a crucial role in maintaining the balance between the boat’s center of effort and center of resistance during heaving to. (Source: www.lifeofsailing.com)
• ✅ Heaving to is useful in various situations, such as waiting for daylight, making repairs, or having a quiet meal. (Source: www.cruising.coastalboating.net)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the fastnet race mentioned in the reference data.

The Fastnet Race is a renowned offshore sailing race that takes place in the North Atlantic. It gained attention due to a horrific storm in which 18 people lost their lives, but 26 sailors managed to heave to and avoid serious damage or capsizing.

What is the fundamental premise of heaving to?

The fundamental premise of heaving to is to stop a sailboat and stay relatively stationary without dropping anchor or sails. It is a useful technique in various situations such as waiting out bad weather, making repairs, or having a quiet meal at sea.

What are the steps to heave to a sailboat?

To heave to a sailboat, follow these steps: 1) Sheet the jib in tight on the tack opposite of the one you’re on and leave the jibsheet cleated. 2) Tack and steer the boat back toward the wind while making adjustments with the helm and mainsheet until the boat is lying at a steady attitude to the wind on a close reaching heading.

Where can heaving to be used in everyday sailing?

Heaving to can be used in everyday sailing for various purposes such as making repairs, waiting for daylight, freeing up hands from the helm, having lunch, letting seasick crew rest, or in heavy weather for a defensive strategy.

Can all sailboats heave to?

Most sailboats, including catamarans, can heave to. Modern boats with fin keels may not perform as well as full keel boats in heaving to. It is important to practice and adjust sail trim to find the best method for each individual boat.

How does heaving to work?

Heaving to works by adjusting the sails and rudder to create a balance between the center of effort (point on the sails generating lifting force) and the center of resistance (point underwater providing lateral resistance). This balance stalls the boat’s forward motion, making it stable and comfortable.

Why is heaving to important in storm conditions?

In storm conditions, heaving to is important as a storm tactic. It allows sailors to wait out bad weather, reducing the boat’s motion and stress on gear, sails, and crew morale. It also provides an opportunity to assess the situation, survey for damage, and make necessary repairs.

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How and Why to Heave To

By: Zeke Quezada, ASA Safety , Sailing Tips , Weather

“Heaving-to” is a classic technique employed to endure severe weather conditions while at sea. Heaving-to is an essential skill for all mariners, as it proves valuable in various situations. This maneuver allows you to delay your arrival at a port until more favorable light or tide conditions prevail or simply “park” the boat while attending to necessary repairs.

When a vessel is hove-to, it positions itself with the wind coming from just forward of the beam, causing it to drift gradually sideways and slightly forward. The wind’s force on the sails maintains a steady angle of heel, ensuring relatively gentle motion, even when facing significant waves.

To execute the heaving-to maneuver, you configure the sails in opposition, causing the jib to exert force in one direction and the mainsail in the opposite direction. The rudder is employed to control the boat’s course.

Here’s a step-by-step guide for heaving-to:

• Observe the wind’s direction and determine the desired drift direction. Decide whether you want to be on the port or starboard tack.
• To lie on the tack opposite to your current one, tighten the jib sheet, tack, and leave the jib sheet cleated.
• As the boat approaches head-to-wind, the windward sheet will set the jib aback, pushing the bow downwind. Keep the mainsheet on the winch with the clutch open.
• Steer the boat back towards the wind and make adjustments with the helm and mainsheet until the boat maintains a steady position relative to the wind on a close-reaching heading. Typically, you’ll turn the wheel to the windward side. The mainsail may or may not require luffing.
• Secure the wheel in place to prevent movement, but ensure it can be easily released if necessary.
• Continuously adjust the sheets and helm as needed to maintain the boat’s attitude, all while maintaining a vigilant lookout for potential hazards.

When and Why to Heave To?

Heaving-to is a versatile sailing maneuver that can be employed for safety, comfort, and strategic purposes in a variety of sailing conditions and situations. It’s an essential skill for sailors to have in their toolkit, especially when cruising in challenging environments or undertaking long passages.

There are several scenarios and reasons why you might choose to heave-to in a sailboat.

Heavy Weather: One of the primary reasons for heaving-to is to ride out heavy weather conditions at sea. When the wind and waves become too strong and dangerous to continue sailing or navigating comfortably, heaving-to allows the boat to maintain a stable position relative to the wind and waves, reducing the risk of capsizing or taking on excessive water.

Safety and Rest: Heaving-to can provide a more comfortable and stable platform for the crew in rough conditions. It allows the crew to rest, tend to injuries, or address equipment problems without the constant motion and stress of sailing in heavy seas.

Reducing Speed: Sometimes, you might want to slow down or delay your arrival at a destination. Heaving-to can effectively slow the boat’s forward progress, allowing you to wait for more favorable weather, tide, or daylight conditions before proceeding.

Navigation and Position Fixing : In certain situations, heaving-to can be used for navigation purposes. It can help you maintain your position in a specific area, wait for a tide change, or assess your location when landmarks or navigation aids are unclear.

Maneuvering Space : If you need to give way to another vessel or avoid a navigational hazard, heaving-to can provide a controlled way to stop or slow down your boat while maintaining some degree of control and maneuverability.

Emergency Situations: In emergency situations, such as a crewmember falling overboard, heaving-to can create a stable platform from which to conduct rescue operations. It reduces the boat’s drift and makes it easier to recover a person from the water.

Single-Handed Sailing: For single-handed sailors, heaving-to can be a useful technique to pause the boat and attend to tasks like reefing sails, making adjustments, or taking a break when there is no other crew available to assist.

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Home » Blog » Sail » Heave to – definition and how to do it

Heave to – definition and how to do it

By Author Fiona McGlynn

Posted on Last updated: August 18, 2023

Sailboats, unlike cars, don’t have the luxury of pulling over to the side of the road, whenever the driver needs a break. Fortunately, they can heave to, a simple technique for stopping a sailboat that is far more comfortable and controlled than just dropping the sails and drifting.

Over three years and 13,000 miles of blue water sailing, we hove to on many occasions. By adjusting the mainsail, headsail, and rudder, we were able to comfortably stall our boat for hours, even days, at a time. It’s a simple maneuver that we’ve found useful in many different situations—stopping the sailboat to make repairs, take a swim, or wait for daylight to enter a harbor.

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Heave to definition and meaning

The 67th edition of Chapman Piloting & Seamanship defines heaving-to as “setting the sails so that a boat makes little headway, usually in a storm or a waiting situation.”

I would add that it’s a very useful technique in everyday sailing (e.g., making repairs, breaking for lunch), especially for short-handed and solo sailors.

How does it work?

Heaving to is accomplished by backing the headsail (i.e., sheeting it to the windward side). This counteracts the force of the main sail. The headsail pulls the bow to leeward, while the mainsail pushes the bow back to windward. This push and pull between the sails results in halting the boat’s forward progress.

Benefits of heaving-to

Stops forward progress

Heaving too is a controlled and comfortable way of staying relatively stationary.

Makes the boat more stable and comfortable

By staying at 40-50 degrees to the wind, with the bow taking the brunt of the waves, the boat becomes more stable.

Some also say that as the boat drifts downwind, the keel creates a slick of disturbed water which further dampens the effect of any breaking waves to windward.

Offers a quick getaway

If you need to move in a hurry, say to get out of the way of oncoming traffic, your sails are already up and ready to propel you forward. You can be back underway within seconds.

When to heave to

Here are some situations where you might find heaving to useful:

• Waiting for another boat . On a 26-day Pacific crossing, we hove to in order to wait for a disabled yacht so that we could accompany them for the rest of the passage.
• Waiting for daylight . Rather than risk entering a harbor with unknown hazards, we would often heave to and wait for daybreak.
• Freeing up hands from the helm . Heaving to is a helpful technique for short-handed or solo sailors who don’t have a self-steering wind vane or autopilot. While hove to, the person at the helm is freed up to do other tasks.
• Making repairs en route . We hove to when we needed to make repairs to our auto-pilot while during a multi-day passage. It was also helpful when we needed to stop so we could dive and inspect our rudder for damage.
• Having a coffee break or making lunch. Sometimes it’s just nice to take a break. The stability that comes with heaving to can make cooking a meal below decks a lot easier.
• Going for a swim.  On hot days near the equator, we’d heave to and indulge in a quick dip (while tied in of course).
• Letting seasick crew rest.  If your crew is struggling with seasickness, heaving to may offer them some respite.
• Heavy weather.  While we’ve fortunately never needed to heave to on account of bad weather, we know sailors who have. One friend spent three days hove-to off in heavy seas and strong winds off the coast of Australia.

While heaving to can be very effective in heavy sea states, it’s important to recognize that there is no single storm tactic that is  always  going to be the right choice, regardless of the boat and conditions. In truly extreme weather, say a survival storm, you may also need to consider the use of a sea anchor, drogue, and more advanced techniques. For more on storm tactics,  Storm Tactics: Modern Methods of Heaving-to for Survival in Extreme Conditions by Lin and Larry Pardey.

Can all sailboats heave to?

Some say that modern boats with fin keels don’t heave to as well as a full keel boat, but you should be able to heave to on most sailboats, including catamarans.

It is possible to inadvertently end up fore reaching while attempting to heave to, which may account for some confusion over whether your boat is properly hove to or not. We discuss forereaching in more detail at the end of this post.

How to heave to

The goal of heaving to is to balance the mainsail and a back-winded headsail so that they cancel each other out. When done properly, the boat stays at roughly a 40-50 degree angle to the wind and waves while making minimal headway.

Finding that balance is different on each boat. Your boat’s sail plan, displacement, keel type, and hull design will all affect how she heaves to. While most sources recommend aiming for 40-50 degree angle to the wind, there are boat types that might heave to anywhere from 30-60 degrees off the wind.

You’ll need to experiment with how you set your sails on your own boat to achieve the right combination.

As with any new skill, practice in good weather when the conditions are steady and well within your comfort zone.

1. Reef according to the conditions.

If you’re at full sail, your first step may be to reef both the headsail and mainsail appropriately for the conditions you’re sailing in. On our boat, this would have been full sail at 5 knots of wind and fully reefed at 25 knots.

Too much sail and you’ll risk being knocked down, too little sail and you won’t stay pointed in the right direction.

To reef the headsail this may mean furling your genoa, using a staysail, or even getting out your storm jib. In some cases, you may want to swap out your reefed mainsail for a trysail.

2. Sail close haul.

Sail close haul, ensuring your sails are tightly trimmed.

3. Slowly tack the boat without releasing the jib.

You should land on the new tack with a backed jib.

4. Steer the boat so it stays at a 40-50 degrees angle to the wind.

The backed headsail will cause the boat to head down past 60 degrees. Steer to compensate for this and keep the boat 40-50 degrees off the wind.

Feather the main as you work the boat back upwind. Take care if you approach 40 degrees – too much momentum will cause you to tack back again.

If the boat won’t round up, your headsail is overpowering your mainsail. You may need to reduce the head sail area to find the right balance.

If the boat wants to round up into wind and tack, your mainsail is overpowered. You could try easing the main slightly.

5. Turn the rudder to windward

Once you’re reached 40-50 degrees and you’ve bled off speed, turn the rudder all the way to windward (wheel to windward, tiller to leeward) and lock it off or lash it in place.

Watch to see what your boat does and if it stays in a relatively stable position, within 40 to 50 degrees. Don’t stress if the boat swings between 40 and 50 degrees. This is normal and is caused by the wind and waves. The boat should stay hove-to unless thrown off by a big wave or gust.

Getting out of heave to

When ready to get underway again, bring the rudder amidship and release the windward sheet, allowing the jib to flip to the other side. Trim your jib on the leeward side and once you’ve got some forward momentum you can head on your intended course.

Other tips for heaving to

Stay aware of your speed and course, and always maintain a good lookout . Though not underway, you can still drift into hazards or get into a collision. It’s a good idea to give yourself enough sea room (space) when heaving to.

If you’re in a busy area, heave to on a starboard tack (keep boom on the port side) to maintain the right of way over sailboats on a port tack.

Inspect your sails for chafe. When heaving to, your jib sheet or the clew of your genoa may sit and rub on the shrouds. If left unattended it will eventually wear through your sheet or sail.

You can prevent this by reefing the genoa , putting chaffing protection on the shrouds TK, or even re-running the sheet inside or between the shrouds.

Watch Skip Novak demonstrate how to heave to in this video

Fore reaching vs. heaving to

Fore reaching is an alternative to heaving-to in some situations. Unlike heaving-to which completely stalls the boat, leaving you drifting at 1-2 knots downwind, fore-reaching keeps a boat moving forward at 1-2 knots to windward.

It may involve sheeting the jib amidship (not backed) or lowering it entirely while keeping a reefed mainsail sheeted in tight and the helm kept slightly to leeward.

Fore reaching can be a useful technique when you want to continue to make headway but go much more slowly. Say, for instance, if you were heading into an outgoing tide of current but wanted to maintain your position.

Some think that fin-keeled boats are prone to unintentionally forereaching while attempting to heave-to. Unlike heaving-to, fore reaching does not provide the slick of calmed water on the windward side of the boat.

Heave to or hove to?

Heave to is a phrasal verb. In the present tense, you might say, “Let’s heave to and take a break for lunch.”

If the action is complete (past tense), you can use the past participle: hove to. For example, “The sailing ship hove-to for days off the coast of New Zealand.”

Fiona McGlynn is an award-winning boating writer who created Waterborne as a place to learn about living aboard and traveling the world by sailboat. She has written for boating magazines including BoatUS, SAIL, Cruising World, and Good Old Boat. She’s also a contributing editor at Good Old Boat and BoatUS Magazine. In 2017, Fiona and her husband completed a 3-year, 13,000-mile voyage from Vancouver to Mexico to Australia on their 35-foot sailboat.

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Heaving To in a Sailboat is a Practiced Skill

How to Heave To The books simply say to tack the boat and leave the head sail cleated to windward and turn the wheel all the way to windward (tiller to lee). While that’s correct, there are a lot more things to think about to pull it off correctly. This article is part of the training in the Skipper Sailing Course and is written by Grant Headifen, the Educational Director.

There are a few reasons you might want to heave to.

• Lunch, simply taking a rest, or instructor debriefing
• Storm Tactics and Reefing
• Man over board recovery
• Boarding by another vessel (ie, crew change during a race, or law enforcement safety inspection)

A Cool Trick about Heaving to!

The first thing to think about is (if you can) lie in a heave-to position so that your boom is on the port side. Why? So that you’re technically sailing “on starboard tack”, putting you in a more advantageous stand-on position with regard to the Navigation Rules vis-a-vis other sailboats “on port” tack. Wouldn’t want to disturb our lunch now would we? It’s not a big deal but just something most people may not have thought about.

What is Heaving To?

When you are successfully hove-to, your sailboat will be in a stable situation with the mainsail and headsail still up. Your forward speed will be minimal and you’ll be sliding downwind slightly. This makes it an ideal strategy for the situations above. Essentially you’re under full sail but nearly stopped! Cool eh?

How Heaving to works

The mechanics of the heave-to situation is that the forward speed of the boat has dropped to a minimum because the head sail is back winded (aback) and the main sail has been eased out far enough to reduce nearly all of the forward driving lift on the sail. The backwinded head sail creates a large turning moment on the boat to turn it downwind. As the boat turns downwind however the boat tends to pick up a little speed. As the boat picks up a little speed, the windward locked wheel causes the rudder to turn the boat back upwind, killing off the speed. It creates a little see-saw action. You can adjust the see-saw action by adjusting the set of the headsail, the mainsail, and the rudder angle. Each boat will see-saw a little differently in differing wind conditions and due to the distances of the rudder and the headsail center of pressure positions around the hydrodynamic pivot point of the vessel. Once the boat is settled, by making small adjustments to the angle of the rudder, the amount the mainsail is eased, and by the “depth” or flatness of the headsail, a skilled operator can make very useful adjustments to the exact way in which the boat is lying to the wind and seas. Practice practice practice! When that storm comes, you’ll be glad.

How to Heave To

Once you’ve got it down, you’ll enjoy having this little skill under your belt but you’ve got to practice it a few times. To enter into a hove-to position, if practical, start out on a on a port tack with the headsail sheeted in tight. Tack the boat slowly onto a starboard tack (bleeding off some speed while head-to-wind) but leave the headsail cleated (ie don’t tack the headsail).  Turn the boat so that you’re on a close reach (60 degrees off the wind) and let out the mainsail most of the way out so that it is luffing. Now wait until the rest of the boat’s headway speed bleeds off. That’s the key part. If you turn the rudder to windward (the wheel to windward or the tiller to leeward) before the speed bleeds off, the momentum of the boat may carry it through another tack. Once the speed has bled off, turn the rudder all the way to windward (wheel to windward or tiller to leeward) and lock it in that position (lashing the tiller).

Heaving to in a Storm

It’s really important to realize that this is a completely wise thing to do in a storm. With a huge caveat, make sure you have plenty of sea-room distance to leeward on the track of your hove-to reckoning, avoiding shoals, or the other hard stuff (like land!). Heaving-to in a storm gives you and your crew a rest from the elements. And it can be a safer means of riding out a storm rather than trying to sail it out.  The boat is in a completely stable position. You should probably lower or deeply reef the main or raise a storm trisail (very small mainsail) as well as a small headsail to reduce loads on the rig. Here’s the kicker that is really cool – since the boat will be slipping sideways, a wake is left to windward. Any breaking waves hit this “slick” and flatten out, thus reducing the wave action on your vessel. Now that’s really cool.

Heaving To in a Sailboat in a Storm

A Heave To Must

When you’re settled down into the heave to position and every thing is balanced, use a preventer line to “prevent” the boom. This will prevent the boom from slapping around wildly with sudden variable gusts, save wear on the rig, prevent an accidental gybe or worse yet a bonk on the head if you need to go forward.

Using Heaving to in a Man Overboard Situation

Heaving to can be a very effective crew over-board recovery technique. The very moment the victim goes over the side you can crash tack the boat and go into a heave-to position. You must be sure that the victim is able to swim, that they did not sustain injury whist falling. It’s your call on this one but it’s a technique not often taught and so isn’t considered in the panic but, it will keep you from getting too far away from your friend in the water which is clearly the biggest danger. Me? I’d still get the engines on. On that topic, the biggest danger they say from turning on the engines is not chopping your friend up, you’re smart enough not to do that, it’s from getting a line wrapped around the prop in all the panic. So just make that’s part of your “engines-on” routine in crew over-board practice. Next time you’re out practice man (or woman) over board.

There you have it, you’re now a heave to expert. NOT! You haven’t practiced it enough yet! And while you’re out there practicing it, have fun. Or should it be the other way around???

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How to Heave To: A Step-by-Step Guide

by Emma Sullivan | Jul 14, 2023 | Sailboat Gear and Equipment

== Short answer: How to heave to ==

Heaving to is a sailing maneuver used to temporarily halt a boat’s forward progress while maintaining stability. To execute it, backwind the jib or release the mainsail, then adjust the rudder position accordingly. This creates a balanced drift allowing the boat to maintain a near stationary position.

Mastering the Art of Heaving To: A Step-by-Step Guide

Have you ever found yourself cruising on your sailboat, enjoying a beautiful day at sea when suddenly the weather takes a turn? Strong winds and rough seas start to threaten your comfort and safety. As an experienced sailor, it is crucial to have a trick up your sleeve in these situations- heaving to.

Heaving to is a technique that allows you to essentially park your boat in the water by balancing opposing forces of wind and rudder. It provides stability and control during adverse weather conditions, giving you time to regroup, make adjustments, or even enjoy a hot cup of tea while waiting for conditions to improve. In this step-by-step guide, we will delve into the art of heaving to and equip you with all the knowledge needed to handle challenging sailing scenarios with ease.

Step 1: Assessing the Need

Before even considering heaving to, it’s important to evaluate whether it is actually necessary. Understanding weather patterns, wind strength, and other relevant factors will help determine if heaving to is justified. If conditions become overwhelming or dangerous, then it’s time to initiate this tactical maneuver.

Step 2: Preparation

Preparation is key for successfully executing this technique. Clear any clutter from the deck and secure loose items that may pose hazards during the process. Ensure all crew members are wearing appropriate safety gear such as life jackets and harnesses before proceeding.

Step 3: Heading Upwind

To begin heaving to, steer your boat onto a close-hauled course towards the wind. Maintain enough speed for maneuverability but avoid excessive acceleration; slow and steady wins this race! The idea here is not necessarily advancing forward but rather gaining adequate headway against wind pressure.

Step 4: Backwinding the Jib or Genoa

This step involves inducing an imbalance between main sail force and jib force—a fundamental aspect of heaving to. Gradually turn your yacht into the wind, allowing the jib to catch wind on the side opposite to where it usually does. This process is colloquially known as “backwinding.” By doing so, the jib acts as a brake, retarding forward motion.

Step 5: Adjusting Rudder Position

As you’re backwinding the jib or genoa, carefully position your rudder to counteract its effects. Aim for around 45 degrees away from the centerline of your boat while maintaining a light touch on the helm. This adjustment prevents excessive weather helm or lee helm and helps maintain balance throughout the maneuver.

Step 6: Fine-Tuning

Once heaved to, make minor adjustments as necessary. These can include trimming sails slightly differently, altering rudder position, or modifying heading angle based on sea state and wind conditions. Each sailboat responds uniquely; therefore, fine-tuning will ensure optimal performance tailored specifically for your vessel.

Mastering this technique requires practice, patience, and an understanding of your boat’s behavior in different conditions. With time and experience under your belt, heaving to will become second nature—one of those invaluable skills that sets skilled sailors apart from the rest.

Beyond providing safety during inclement weather, heaving to also offers a peaceful respite amidst chaos. It grants an opportunity to take a breather and regain composure – like stepping into a momentary island retreat in the vast ocean. So whether you’re bracing against squalling gusts or seeking solace in turbulent seas, mastering this art will undoubtedly enhance your sailing repertoire.

In conclusion, integrating heaving-to into your sailing skill set can transform challenging conditions into manageable scenarios. As you navigate through stormy waters with confidence and grace using our step-by-step guide, you’ll find yourself awash with admiration from fellow seafarers who witness your mastery over such a refined technique. So, embrace the art of heaving to and become the captain who fearlessly faces the tempests while enjoying every subtle dance orchestrated by wind and water.

Breaking Down the Process: How to Heave To in 5 Simple Steps

When it comes to sailing, there are various maneuvers and techniques that every sailor should have up their sleeve. One of these is known as “heaving to,” a nautical term that refers to a method of stopping or slowing down a sailboat’s forward progress while still maintaining control and stability. In this blog post, we will breakdown the process of how to heave to in five simple steps, giving you all the knowledge you need to confidently execute this maneuver on your next sailing adventure.

Step 1: Preparation is Key Before attempting to heave to, it’s crucial to ensure that your sailboat is properly rigged and outfitted. Make sure all lines are neatly organized and ready for use. Check that your sails are properly furled or reefed, depending on wind conditions. Having everything in order will make the process smoother.

Step 2: Position Your Sails To initiate hove-to, begin by positioning your sails correctly. Start by tacking your boat through the wind so that it ends up on a close-hauled course. Once you’re at this point, sheet in your headsail (usually the jib) tightly while leaving the mainsail slightly luffing or partially unfurled/mast-tied down. This configuration allows the wind force on the jib to counteract any forward motion from the mainsail, helping you maintain balance.

Step 3: Backwinding Magic The next step involves using what’s known as “backwinding” to assist in stopping or slowing down your sailboat’s movement. Take hold of the tiller or wheel and push it away from the wind (known as “weather helm”) until you feel resistance. This maneuver causes the rudder blades’ angle of attack against water flow, creating drag and reducing boat speed.

Step 4: Trim The Sheets Now that you have successfully stopped your forward progress, it’s time to trim the sails and find the “sweet spot” for heaving-to. Start by adjusting the sheets on both jib and mainsail, experimenting with different tensions until you achieve a balanced position where the boat is almost stationary but still responding to wind pressure without drifting further.

Step 5: Sit Back and Enjoy Congratulations! You have successfully hove to in five simple steps. Now it’s time to sit back, relax, and enjoy the benefits of this maneuver. Whether you’re taking a break from a long sail or waiting for better weather conditions, heaving-to allows you to maintain control while reducing fatigue and stress on both crew members and equipment.

In conclusion, learning how to heave to is an essential skill for any sailor looking to enhance their navigational abilities. By following these five simple steps – preparing your boat, positioning your sails correctly, utilizing backwinding techniques, trimming the sheets for balance, and embracing the moment – you can confidently execute this useful maneuver during your next sailing adventure. So embrace the power of heaving-to and unlock new possibilities on the open seas!

Your Comprehensive FAQ on Heaving To: Answered!

Title: Heaving To Demystified: Unraveling the Depths of This Essential Sailing Technique

Introduction: Ahoy, fellow sailors! Are you ready to embark on a delightful journey through the intricacies of heaving to? In this comprehensive FAQ, we’ll answer all your burning questions about this fundamental sailing maneuver. Prepare to dive into the enticing world of heaving to, where professional expertise meets witty explanations. So, let’s unfurl our sails and set course for knowledge!

1. What exactly is heaving to? Heaving to refers to a technique used by sailors to maintain a stationary or nearly stationary position when facing challenging conditions at sea. By balancing various sails and adjusting their positions, a boat can enter a state of equilibrium that allows for easier weathering of storms, taking rest aboard, or waiting for daylight before navigating through unfamiliar waters.

2. How does one accomplish heaving to? Ah-ha! The secret sauce lies in expertly manipulating your vessel’s sails and rudder. Picture this: while under sail power, you adjust your mainsail so it backs against the wind but remains slightly filled. Simultaneously, set your headsail opposite the direction of the mainsail’s backwind – they should counteract each other just enough to slow forward progress without losing control.

3. When should I employ heaving to? Heaving to comes in handy during various scenarios on open water. Imagine encountering deteriorating weather conditions—an approaching storm or heavy fog—opting for a brief respite while awaiting optimal sailing conditions again becomes paramount. Another instance is managing crew fatigue during long-distance voyages; by hitching your boat into hove-to mode, everyone can enjoy some much-needed rest without deviating too far from your intended path.

4. Can any type of sailboat perform a heave-to effortlessly? Indeed, nearly any sailboat designed for partial displacement would be more than capable of engaging in the gentle dance of heaving to. Whether you’re aboard a modern sloop, a traditional ketch, or even a nimble catamaran, mastering this technique opens up new realms of safety and versatility on your sailing adventures.

5. Is heaving to useful for single-handed sailors? Absolutely! Heaving to is a reliable ally when you find yourself alone at the helm. By employing this technique, solo sailors gain valuable time to attend to various tasks without worrying about wayward drift. It provides an added layer of security for handling emergencies, such as mechanical failures, injury, or needing a moment’s respite while navigating challenging situations.

6. Can I combine heaving to with other safety practices? Certainly! Integrating heaving to tactics with additional precautionary measures enhances your overall safety provisions on the water. For instance, complement this maneuver by deploying sea anchors (known as drogues) or trailing warps astern for enhanced stability during heavy weather conditions. Paired with proper use of personal flotation devices (PFDs), storm sails, and navigation aids—your repertoire becomes even more robust!

Final Words: Congratulations on uncovering the vast knowledge surrounding heaving to—a sailing technique that both seasoned mariners and aspiring sailors should master. By familiarizing yourself with this comprehensive FAQ resource infused with wit and cleverness, you’re equipped with the essential knowledge needed to harness the power of heaving-to successfully.

So next time you find yourself amidst tempestuous seas or crave a moment’s respite in calm waters—it’s time to put those newfound skills into action! Now go forth, fearless sailor, and conquer the oceans armed with the wisdom bestowed upon you by this witty guide!

Heaving To Made Easy: A Practical Approach

Title: Heaving To Made Easy: A Practical Approach for Effortless Seamanship

Introduction:

Mastering the art of heaving to is a valuable skill every sailor should possess, providing them with an essential maneuver to effectively navigate challenging weather conditions or take a much-needed break from constant helm work. In this blog post, we unveil the secrets behind achieving a seamless and hassle-free hove-to state. Join us as we delve into the intricacies of this classic technique, coupled with expert tips and insights to ensure you become a heaving-to pro in no time!

1. The Essence of Heaving To: Understanding the Concept

Before embarking on unraveling the intricacies of heaving to, let’s grasp its essence. At its core, heaving to refers to a maneuver that effectively slows down forward progress while maintaining stability and control over your vessel. This technique involves utilizing opposing forces between sails and rudder settings to create equilibrium amidst challenging sea states.

2. Step-by-Step Guide: Mastering Heaving To With Ease

To facilitate your mastery over heaving to, we present a comprehensive step-by-step guide below:

a) Prepare Your Vessel: Begin by ensuring everything is secured onboard – store any loose objects or equipment and double-check life jacket availability.

b) Reduce Sail Area: Gradually reef your sails or furl them partially depending on prevailing conditions. Smaller sail area ensures less power, which aids in generating sufficient resistance during the process.

c) Center Your Tiller or Wheel: Shift the tiller or wheel towards leeward (opposite of the windward direction), initiating balance as you prepare for setting up proper sail positioning.

d) Backwind Your Jib/Genoa: Turn the jib sheet opposite to how it is usually trimmed, allowing wind flow against its ‘natural’ setting – this assists in stabilizing your boat’s bow against drift.

e) Engage the Rudder: Position the rudder at an angle that promotes the desired balance between wind force and water resistance – typically situated around 30-45 degrees off centerline.

f) Adjust Mainsail: Tailor your mainsail configuration based on your vessel’s specific characteristics and sea state. Experiment with various settings until you achieve a stable, balanced hove-to state.

3. Tips and Tricks: Fine-Tuning Your Technique

a) Tweak Rudder Angle: Discover the sweet spot for your particular boat by fine-tuning the rudder angle. Slight adjustments can significantly impact stability and comfort while hove to.

b) Consider Counter-Props: Utilize drag-inducing methods such as deploying a stern anchor, dragging warps or drogues astern to further enhance heaving to’s effectiveness, depending on weather conditions encountered.

c) Utilize Sea Room Wisely: In challenging conditions, ensure you have enough sea room before executing a heave-to maneuver. Maintaining ample space helps prevent potential hazards and collision risks during this transitional phase.

4. Benefits of Mastering Heaving To:

Becoming proficient in heaving to offers sailors several remarkable benefits:

a) Safety & Crew Well-being: Heaving to provides respite from heavy weather conditions, allowing both sailors and crew members time to rest, regroup, or focus on necessary tasks without compromising safety.

b) Enhanced Maneuverability & Control: By achieving equilibrium through heaving to, it becomes easier to navigate rough seas or perform necessary maintenance tasks even when solo sailing – granting unparalleled control and reducing stress levels aboard.

c) Efficient Storm Tactics: An adept mastery of heaving to serves as an effective storm survival tactic when caught unexpectedly in foul weather – providing relief from constant helm work while keeping your vessel steady against prevailing elements.

Conclusion:

Heaving to may seem like an advanced seamanship technique at first glance; however, armed with our comprehensive guide and expert tips, you will quickly conquer its intricacies with confidence and ease. The ability to seamlessly heave to offers unparalleled safety, control amidst challenging seas, and a well-deserved break for sailors. So go ahead, practice the technique diligently, and unlock a world of seamanship possibilities!

Unlocking the Secrets of a Successful Heave To: A Step-by-Step Tutorial

Have you ever found yourself in a tricky sailing situation where you needed to come to a complete stop, but it seemed impossible? That’s where the heave to technique comes into play. This well-guarded secret of experienced sailors can be your ticket out of tough situations on the water. In this step-by-step tutorial, we will unravel the mysteries behind a successful heave to and equip you with the skills to conquer any challenging sailing circumstance.

Step 1: Understanding the Concept

Before diving into the practicalities, let’s grasp the concept behind the enigmatic heave to maneuver. Essentially, heaving to is a technique used to bring your sailboat almost stationary while maintaining balance and control. It allows you to maintain a comfortable position in relation to wind and waves.

Step 2: Assessing Wind and Waves

The success of a heave to lies in understanding how wind and waves interact with your sailboat. Analyze wind direction, strength, as well as wave conditions. These factors will determine which side you’ll tack towards when executing the maneuver.

Step 3: Preparing Your Sailboat

To initiate a perfect heave to, certain adjustments need to be made. Start by reefing your sails partially or fully depending on prevailing wind conditions. Reducing sail area enables better control during deceleration. Also, center the traveler or adjust main-sheet tension accordingly for optimum stability.

Step 4: Tacking Towards Slowing Down

When ready, head upwind with enough speed while slowly turning into irons – that precise point where forward progress stalls due to opposing forces of rudder and mainsail alignment. Timing is crucial; find that sweet spot where momentum dissipates gently.

Step 5: Keeping Balance Using Rudder and Jib

At this juncture, employ your rudder intelligently. Initially, rudder position may need to be adjusted to maintain balance. Allow the jib sheet to luff while releasing, but not entirely, the main-sheet tension. Achieving equilibrium between these two sail controls ensures your boat remains in a controlled drift.

Step 6: Fine-tuning for Comfort

Once you are in a successful heave to, it’s time to fine-tune your setup for optimal comfort. Experiment with small adjustments in sail trim and rudder positioning until you find that sweet spot where your sailboat is gently bobbing on the waves without further propelling forward.

Step 7: Overcoming Challenges

While practicing the heave to maneuver, you might encounter challenges like excessive leeway or difficulty maintaining momentum stall. These obstacles can be tackled by tweaking various factors such as rudder angle or adjusting main-sheet or jib-sheet tensions. Embrace experimentation and adaptability until you find what works best for your specific sailing conditions.

Unlocking the secrets of a successful heave to opens up new possibilities on the water. Whether you need a momentary respite during a long passage or want to steady your boat while attending to emergencies – mastering this technique will make all the difference. Remember, practice makes perfect! So head out on calm days first and build confidence gradually.

So there you have it – our detailed step-by-step tutorial on unlocking the secrets of a successful heave to. With patience and persistence coupled with skillful application of these techniques, your sailing adventures will thrive even amidst challenging situations. Now go forth and sail confidently into uncharted waters!

Taking Control of Challenging Situations at Sea: Learn How to Heave To

Life at sea can be an exhilarating adventure filled with awe-inspiring sights, but it also comes with its fair share of challenges. Whether you’re a seasoned sailor or a novice in the nautical world, knowing how to handle difficult situations is key to ensuring your safety and that of your crew. One technique that every sailor should have in their arsenal is the art of heaving to.

Heaving to is an age-old sailing maneuver that allows you to effectively control your vessel when faced with adverse conditions. It involves setting your sails in such a way that the boat remains almost stationary relative to the wind and waves, providing you with a stable platform from which you can assess the situation and take appropriate action.

Now, before we delve into the intricacies of heaving to, let’s understand why it is such an essential skill for sailors. Picture this: You’re out on a solo voyage, enjoying a calm day on the open ocean when suddenly dark clouds gather overhead. A menacing storm approaches rapidly, bringing high winds and towering waves. Panic sets in as you realize that weathering this tempest unprepared could put both you and your boat at great risk.

This is precisely where heaving to becomes invaluable. The maneuver allows you to regain control over your vessel by reducing its forward momentum while still maintaining stability. By adjusting your sails and rudder correctly, you can position your boat at an angle to the wind so that it neither moves forward nor backward but rather holds its position against the forces of nature.

So, how does one execute this seemingly magical feat? Let’s break it down step by step:

1. Start by reefing or reducing sail area: Before attempting any maneuver in challenging conditions, safety should always be paramount. It’s crucial to reduce sail area by reefing or changing out larger sails for smaller ones appropriate for conditions.

2. Head up into the wind: Once properly prepared for rough weather, turn your boat into the wind. This will slow down its forward motion and allow you to gain control.

3. Backwind the jib or genoa: To further reduce your vessel’s speed and ensure it remains stationary, backwinding the foresail is a crucial step. This can be achieved by releasing the sheet on one side and pulling in on the opposite sheet, effectively causing the sail to catch wind from both sides.

4. Adjust the mainsail: Depending on your specific boat design, adjust the mainsail accordingly to complement the way your jib or genoa is set. This may include partially furling or deflating the mainsail or even letting it luff slightly.

5. Fine-tune with rudder adjustments: Now that your boat is heaving to, make minor rudder adjustments as needed to maintain a balanced position relative to the wind and waves.

Congratulations! You’ve successfully executed a heave-to maneuver and are now in control of a stable vessel amidst challenging conditions. Take this opportunity to assess any potential issues such as leaking hatches, loose gear, or damaged equipment that may require immediate attention.

In addition to providing a safer environment for you and your crew during storms, heaving to can also be beneficial when waiting for daylight hours if you find yourself navigating unfamiliar waters at night or simply needing a rest during an extended passage.

Mastering heaving to requires practice and experience. Learn how different boats respond under various conditions by experimenting in calmer weather before facing more severe situations head-on. Remember, practice makes perfect!

Becoming proficient in this skill gives you an invaluable tool in dealing with challenging situations at sea while maintaining composure and control. So next time ominous clouds loom on the horizon, remember that by learning how to heave to, you’re equipping yourself with confidence and resilience upon which true sailors rely.

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How to Heave To – Complete GUIDE

Sailboats are a little bit like airplanes in some ways. Their sails work like wings, sure. But they also cannot be stopped. If you want to come to a stop in a car, you can stomp on the brakes. If you are in a powerboat, you can kill power to the motor and drift to a stop. But what do you do in a sailboat, when the sails will continue producing power once they are set – just like a plane cannot stop in the sky.

The answer might surprise you. An airplane can’t stop, but a sailboat can – sort of. The answer lies in a maneuver called heaving to.

Table of Contents

What does heave to mean, windward sheet handling, main sail trim, rudder position, getting out of the hove to position, heaving to on a catamaran, how to heave to with a self-tacking headsail, storm jib and storm trysail heaving to, practice makes perfect—even when trying to stop, heaving to faqs.

The heaving to sailing maneuver is one that every skipper should be familiar with. It’s much handier than it might sound.

It’s roughly akin to coming to a stop in a powerboat and drifting. But the sails are still up, so the boat is much more stable than a powerboat would be. A better comparison might be a powerboat with stabilizers and can automatically hold a position relative to the waves for a comfortable ride.

Once hoveto, a boat makes little progress to windward or leeward—its motion stops to the point that its ground speed will be less than two knots or so. But one of the best things about heaving-to is that you can do it in a flash—meaning it’s a way to slam on the brakes and stop your forward movement if someone goes over or you need to fix something on board immediately.

Why else might you want to try heave to sailing? Here’s a list of times when skippers have found it helpful to heave to.

• To take a break from sailing for a while, maybe to get some sleep or make dinner when in heavy weather
• To wait outside a dangerous cut or inlet until dawn or a move favorable tide for entry
• To reduce pressures on the rig to make a repair
• To ease the motion on deck so as to make going forward safer or more comfortable
• To make it easier to put a reef in the mainsail 
• To come to an immediate stop in order to retrieve an object or even recover a man overboard 
• With reefed sails, to ride out a storm at sea

A Guide to Heaving To in Your Own Boat

Figuring out how to heave two in your boat isn’t very difficult, but it will take a little practice. Because each boat handles a little differently, has a different amount of windage and sail area, there can be no precise guide for the exact setup that will work best. 

Instead of focusing on specifics, like speed or direction of drift, look to get the basics set up and then fine-tune the ride for your boat when heaving to . 

Any kind of sailboat can be hove to. The technique works well for full-keel cruisers, fin-keel racers, catamarans, trimarans, cutters, or ketches–regardless of sail plan or sail size. But to figure out the best way to get your boat hove to, the best solution is to go out and practice!

It’s worth noting that you might want to plan which tack to take once you’re in the heave to position. If you take the starboard tack, you will have the right of way over other sailing vessels on the port tack. Even though you’ve stopped your forward movement, you are still technically considered to be sailing under way.

Basically, a heave to is begun by slowly tacking through the eye of the wind. But instead of allowing the windward sheet to run and letting the headsail swing across the bow, you keep the windward sheet made fast on the cleat. 

The backwinded jib is the first step to getting the boat to stop. The headsail drives air over the main, so you are depriving the boat of all of that power by backwinding it. 

Once the jib is backwinded, the boat’s bow will start falling off to downwind. Use the helm to keep the boat’s bow at about 45 to 60 degrees off the wind, sort of at a close haul angle.

The main sail may still be producing a little bit of lift at this point. The next step is to fine-tune that. It should be sheeted tightly for the tack, and now it’s a good time to let it out a little.

Keep in mind, though, that you don’t want the sail luffing. Luffing and flogging sails can be damaged easily, not to mention that the sound can really wear a sailor down. You want the sail to be right on the edge of producing what power it can with the jib backwinded. If the boat moves and the sail starts producing power, you want it to start to luff and fall off.

In the end, heaving to is a balance between the boat sailing and it not sailing. It may oscillate a bit, but any time it starts picking up speed or falling off to leeward, it should stop. 

The final component in the equation is the rudder position. To keep the backed jib from making the boat fall off into a run, you will have had to turn the helm sharply to windward. In this setup, the sail pushed the boat one way, and the rudder counters it going the other. 

Of course, the amount of rudder force will change as the boat slows down. So it’s most likely that you’ll leave the rudder locked at its stop. But you can tinker with it as necessary, especially if the boat is heading to irons or running the risk of tacking back on the original side.

When in doubt, tinker with the mainsail. Its trim and traveler position will have the most significant effects. 

What to Expect when Hove To

So you’ve successfully hove to and figured out how to do it in your boat. You’ve tried several sail configurations, found the best hove to position, and just the right balance on the controls. Now what?

The benefits of heaving to might not be readily apparent until you’ve started cruising significant distances and embarking on multi-day passages. In coastal boating, the need to hove to seldom arises beyond getting some practice.

But on longer trips, crew fatigue becomes a much bigger problem. The sea state and strong winds often make a key part of that, as how the boat moving adds to the physically demanding nature of being out in heavy seas is hard to imagine without experiencing it a few times.

Heaving to is a great way to find the right balance of keeping the bow into oncoming waves in bad sea states while at the same time giving the crew a rest period.

Ready to move on? You can get out of the maneuver in one of two ways–either release the rudder and allow the boat to fall off on the new tack or sheet in the mainsail and go back on the original tack. The direction you pick will have to do with any other sailboats out there with you and how your boat handles in the conditions present.

Heaving To Modifications and Other Setups to Consider

Again, finding the correct setup to heave to successfully is all about trial and error. For it to work, you’re best off to go out in fairly calm conditions and see how it goes. Then practice every time you get a chance, progressively working up to understand how the boat handles in any condition.

One word of advice is not to take too much advice. Many people will tell you that such and such a boat won’t heave to, or that it won’t work. The more likely fact is that they just haven’t gone out and tried, or they tried once and didn’t know what to tinker with. 

One of the most common complaints you’ll hear is that people have trouble getting catamarans to heave to. This is because catamarans have an incredible amount of windage on their topsides, which gives them more tendency to fall off to leeward sooner.

One technique is often described as parking a cat. This technique is like heaving to in a monohull , only the headsail is completely furled. Next, a heavily reefed mainsail is traveled all the way to leeward and sheeted hard in. Remember, the main is usually trimmed with the traveler and shaped with the sheet on cats. Finally, the rudders are turned hard to windward. The result should be a comfortable sideways drift at less than one knot.

Self-tacking headsails are great for short-handed sailing. Imagine tacking your boat without doing any winch work at all! If you short-tack up rivers or like to beat to windward often, a self-tacker is a miracle worker.

Self-tacking headsails have been around quite a while, although they are becoming more popular on recent models that feature fractional rigs with big mains. But if you look at the staysails on many cutters, you will notice that they are boom mounted on self-tending tracks. So if you can’t sheet the headsail in to backwind it, how can you heave to.

There are two methods you could employ, and which one you choose will depend on your boat and the conditions. 

The first option is to rig a preventer to keep your headsail lashed on the windward side . This is an extra step, and it might be difficult if you want the ability to heave to at a moment’s notice. Rigging your preventer to the cockpit is one solution.

Another way is to forego the headsail altogether–furl it or drop it. Catamarans, fin-keel boats, and even some full-keel boats with cutaway forefoot can heave to just fine on a reefed mainsail alone.

Finally, sail selection will dramatically affect your heaving to success and technique. If you’re using heaving to as a storm tactic, don’t discount using it along with storm sails. A storm jib and storm trysail can be hove to like any other combination, although it is something you’d want to practice before trying it in stormy weather and rough conditions.

Every boat handles a little differently, and many skippers experience varying success with heaving to depending on the boat and the conditions. Start by practicing and getting a feel for how a hove to boat moves and remains stable. Then, expect to tinker with the setup a little to get it right.

Want to learn more about storm sailing, and practical boat handling in general? One of the best resources out there is the timeless classic by Lin and Larry Pardy, Storm Sailing Tactics.

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What does it mean to hove to?

A sailboat that is hove to has stopped its forward progress but still has its sails up. Heaving to is a way of positioning the sails to counteract each other. A vessel that heaves to is stopped in the water yet still in a stable position to take on rough seas or storm conditions. Heaving to is a handy maneuver for skippers to know, whether used as a storm sailing tactic, to rescue a person in the water, to make a rigging repair, or as a simple way to stop for a snack or to cook something.

Should you heave to in a storm?

It depends on the storm, but it also depends on the boat and crew. Heaving to is a well-known storm tactic that reduces the boat’s motion and helps reduce fatigue and stress on both the crew and the vessel. A correctly set up vessel can lie hove-to for as long as it takes for the weather to pass, so long as there are no hazards as the vessel drifts slowly to leeward. In many instances, heaving to is preferable to other storm tactics available to a skipper, such as laying ahull, bearing off, using a sea anchor, or fore reaching.

Matt has been boating around Florida for over 25 years in everything from small powerboats to large cruising catamarans. He currently lives aboard a 38-foot Cabo Rico sailboat with his wife Lucy and adventure dog Chelsea. Together, they cruise between winters in The Bahamas and summers in the Chesapeake Bay.

How to Heave To a Sailboat

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Heaving to is a technique for stopping the boat almost completely with the sails still up. The boat maintains a steady position relative to wind and waves, in contrast to "lying ahull," in which sails are dropped and the boat is allowed to drift any which way, usually leading to an uncomfortable and perhaps dangerous boat position. A boat lying ahull is likely to turn the beam onto the waves and may capsize.

An Essential Sailing Skill

Heaving to is an essential sailing skill every sailor should learn. With this simple technique, you can stop the boat in a controlled manner without having to stay at the helm. It can be a valuable skill for managing a storm because it allows you to "lock" the boat at a safe angle to wind and waves and go below to ride it out. Some sailors like to heave to simply to calm the boat for lunch. Singlehanders who do not have an autopilot find it a valuable skill if they need to leave the helm for any reason.

Steps to Heave To

The theory of heaving to is to use the mainsail and headsail, usually the jib, to work against each other to balance the boat at an angle to the wind. The jib is backwinded and attempts to turn the boat away from the wind, while the mainsail and rudder attempt to turn the boat into the wind. With these forces balanced, the boat holds a steady position.

Here are the simple steps for heaving to:

• Bring the boat into a close-hauled point of sail with both the mainsail and jib trimmed in tight.
• Tack across the wind without releasing the jib sheet, unlike in normal tacking .
• Once on the new tack, the wind in the backed jib will attempt to blow the bow further away from the wind. Turn the rudder to keep the boat toward the wind on your new tack. The force of the mainsail will try to move the boat toward the wind just as the force in the jib tries to push it away.
• As needed, adjust the mainsheet and the rudder position until the forces balance out and the boat stays steady relative to the wind, often roughly 60 degrees off the wind.
• Lash the tiller or wheel to keep the rudder in this position. The boat should stay heaved to in this position unless thrown off by a sudden gust or a big wave, very slowly drifting away from the wind.

These basic steps are easy to learn, but not every boat acts the same. More modern boats require some adjustment and practice in order to heave to.

Heaving-To Adjustments for Different Sailboats

Various factors affect how a sailboat heaves to. For example:

• The longer the sailboat's keel , the easier it will be to heave to. A boat with a fin keel, in contrast, can spin easily and will need to be more carefully balanced.
• The larger the jib or headsail, the harder it will be to heave to because the larger force of the wind against the backed sail can easily blow the boat completely off the wind regardless of the driving force of the mainsail.
• The smaller the mainsail in relation to the jib, the harder it will be to heave to, for the same reason. A boat with a reefed mainsail and a large jib that has not been furled , for example, may be impossible to heave to.

Heave To in Your Own Boat in Six Steps

• Start by practicing on a day with a good, steady wind, but not too much wind for the first time.
• First, follow the basic steps to see how your boat performs.
• After tacking and letting the jib be backwinded, observe how your boat behaves.
• If the bow keeps turning farther from the wind, put the rudder hard over to turn back toward the wind with the mainsail sheeted in tight. If nothing you can do keeps the boat from being blown completely back around, into a gybe situation , then you will have to reduce the size of your jib in order to heave to. With a furling jib, bring in enough of the sail so that the bow is not blown completely off when the sail is back winded. You can also try easing the jib sheet a little so that the sail is slightly less backed. With a hanked-on jib, try with a smaller working jib or a storm jib. After all, in a storm situation, you would not want a large jib up anyway.
• If the power of the mainsail threatens to tack the boat again against the backwinded jib, then let out some mainsheet. Keep the rudder over as if trying to turn into the wind and tack, but with the mainsail out further, as in the illustration above. The boat should not have enough forward drive to be able to tack against the jib and will settle into the heaved-to balance.
• Once you've found the best method to heave to in your particular boat, practice. Be sure to practice on a day with a good strong wind when you might have to reef the mainsail down and use a smaller jib or furl your jib. The same principles hold true in storm winds but you may need further adjustments.

Heaving to is a valuable technique for coping with many different situations. Sailors are often surprised by how calm the boat becomes when the forces are balanced, and a calm steady boat might be essential for coping with a medical emergency, a storm  or any number of other reasons.

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• How to Raise the Mainsail
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• Choosing a Centerboard or Fixed Keel Sailboat
• Using a Sailboat Boom Vang in Sailing
• How to Perform the Controlled Emergency Swimming Ascent (CESA)

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The ocean is your parking lot  (published July 2012)

For centuries, heaving-to has been the most reliable trick in a sailor’s arsenal for “parking” a sailboat at sea. Throughout that time, sailing vessels have changed and sailors have changed with them, but one fact remains—heaving-to is an important and necessary skill every sailor should master.

On ships of yesteryear, heaving-to was somewhat complex due to sail size and vessel maneuverability. In contrast, heaving-to in a modern sloop is quite easily done with minimal effort. By using a headsail, mainsail and rudder, we have the ability to heave-to for hours or days if required.

WHAT, WHY, WHEN? Simply put, heaving-to is a maneuver used to slow a sailboat’s progress and calm its motion while at sea. When successfully “hove-to,” a sailboat will gently drift to leeward at a greatly reduced speed. The reasons for heaving-to are numerous and often situational. When teaching students the maneuver, I impart the three Rs of heaving-to: Rest, Repairs and Reefing.

When sailing in rough seas (especially shorthanded), there will come a time when you need rest. Resting could mean sleeping, eating, or simply completing tasks that might be difficult or dangerous while underway. Making coffee or a warm meal, using the head, waiting for daybreak outside a harbor and navigation fall into this category. So too does one of the main reasons sailors heave-to—waiting out rough weather. Heaving-to is a completely acceptable storm tactic during the passage of a moderate squall or large front, especially when compared to riding out a storm with bare poles in a heavy sea.

Your need for calm could also come in the form of repairs to your vessel. Working over a diesel engine is far easier when hove-to than when beating into a punishing sea. Also, if a shroud were to break, heaving-to opposite the broken rigging will allow you to assess the damage and possibly make a repair.

When reefing, it may be necessary to send a crewmember forward to use lines near the mast or to attach a luff cringle on the reefing hook. Heaving-to makes this considerably safer and much easier for crew to move forward and work on deck.

HOW TO HEAVE-TO? One of the best ways to heave-to in a modern sloop is to use the tacking method. Start off close-hauled or on a close reach. Turn the bow of the boat through the wind slower than you would during a normal tack and DO NOT release the jib. The goal here is to let the jib backwind and stall the boat’s momentum.

When the bow has passed through the eye of the wind, the jib will be backed to windward. As pressure on the backwinded jib forces the bow to leeward, ease the main and feather the boat into the wind. If you have too much momentum, the bow will want to tack back through the wind, so go slow. Eventually your speed will diminish to a point where the rudder will lose steerage and stall. At the same time the rudder stalls, the bow will blow down. When this happens, turn the helm hard to windward and lock it in place. If you are on a tiller steered boat, push the tiller to leeward and lash it down.

Another acceptable method for heaving-to is to sail close-hauled and tension the windward jibsheet while easing the leeward jibsheet. Once the jib is backed to weather, ease the main and start feathering into the wind to reduce speed and stall the rudder. When the bow blows down, turn the helm hard to windward and lock it. This option is more physically demanding in heavy weather and can be difficult when sailing short-handed.

When hove-to, the sails are essentially canceling themselves out. The rudder and main are trying to drive the bow into the wind, while pressure on the backed jib keeps the bow pinned down. The boat will settle in and drift slightly forward and to leeward. Look down at the water over the windward side of the boat and you will notice turbulence being created by the keel and rudder. This turbulent water is helping to break the oncoming sea as it gets to your boat, thus making your ride more comfortable.

The ideal way to lay hove-to, especially in heavy seas, is at a 45° angle to oncoming waves. Laying abeam can be dangerous and unpleasant. To ensure you are not laying broadside to the swell, trim in the mainsail. Tensioning the main will bring your bow into the swell at an angle and make the boat’s motion more comfortable and safe. It will also keep the main from flogging noisily and causing unnecessary wear to the sail.

When you are ready to get underway again, there are a few good options for getting out of being hove-to. If your intended course is the one you were on prior to heaving–to, unlock the helm and turn it hard to leeward. This will turn you downwind and eventually to a gybe. Once you have safely gybed, you can easily continue to any point of sail on your original tack.

If your desired tack is the one you hove-to on, bring the rudder amidships, release the windward jibsheet—allowing the jib to blow through—and tension the leeward jibsheet. From here, you can steer and trim for your intended course.

THINGS TO REMEMBER Just because you are successfully hove-to and comfortably making a sandwich down below does not mean you can jettison good seamanship. Always keep the following in mind when heaving-to. Every sailboat responds differently when hove-to. Try different sail configurations and reef the sails as necessary for a given wind strength. Also, vessels with a full keel will have a more comfortable motion and will drift slower when hove-to. Fin keel and bulb-keeled boats tend to skitter across the water faster due to the lack of lateral resistance below the waterline. If you plan to stay hove-to for a while, be sure to note how fast and in what direction you are moving.

Make sure you maintain a good watch and always consider how much sea room you have before heaving-to. In the middle of the Atlantic you could lay hove-to for days, but in Narragansett Bay you could be on a collision coarse with another vessel or on the rocks in minutes. In areas congested with other sailboats, try heaving-to on a starboard tack and you will maintain right of way over those on port tack.

If you plan on being hove-to for a while, inspect the rig for places where lines and sails may be chaffing. On boats with an overlapping genoa, the sail will lay against the shrouds and spreaders. To relieve this, reef the sail or ease it slightly to move the clew off the shrouds.

Andrew Cross, a USCG licensed captain and US Sailing certified sailing and navigation instructor, is also the editor of www.cruisingcompass.com. After putting thousands of miles under his keel on the East Coast and in the Caribbean, he and his wife Jill now reside in Seattle and are looking forward to cruising the Great Northwest and beyond.

Author: Andy Cross

Shore Conference girls track: Records already falling for Toms River South thrower

Julia Santos spends a significant part of every track & field practice on a cell phone.

No, the Toms River High School South junior isn’t texting with friends, scrolling social media or playing games. She’s watching videos of throwing form.

“Almost every throw, we video,” she said of her and throwing coach Tim O’Leary. “We take time after practice, watch the videos and break them down. We look at top throwers and compare their technique with mine.”

The analysis is paying off. Santos has emerged as one of New Jersey’s top schoolgirl throwers. Already this season she’s uncorked a monster shot put heave of 44 feet, 10 inches, adding three-plus feet to the program record that dated back to 1984, and a discus throw of 121-4. Those are the top marks in the Shore Conference.

“She’s already the all-time best thrower to come through South,” head coach Joe Chiarello said. “With her work ethic and her support system at home, she’s going through the roof now.”

Santos grew up competing in gymnastics. She still does, in the fall for Toms River South, and works part-time teaching young gymnasts at Precision Gymnastics in the Bayville section of Berkeley Township. She picked up track in middle school and has steadily improved. As a sophomore last spring she hit top marks of 36-6 in the shot and 118-10 in the discus. This past indoor season she placed fourth in the shot put at the NJSIAA Meet of Champions with a 39-11 effort.

“My goal is to look like the professional throwers,” she said.

Among the pros she analyzes is Donovan Catholic legend Alyssa Wilson, who set the still-standing state records in the shot put (57 feet, 1 inch) and discus (182 feet) in 2017 and went on to set the American collegiate record in the hammer throw.

“I love watching her videos,” Santos said.

Wilson was a generational talent, but across the board, the girls throwing events in the Shore Conference are as strong as they’ve been in many years. Four shot-putters own personal bests of 40-plus feet, which is considered the barrier for excellence. Santos and Ocean Township’s Eve Segal will represent the league at the prestigious Penn Relays in Philadelphia April 25.

How far can Santos ultimately throw? She’s already knocking on the door of her preseason shot put goal of 45 feet, and her discus goal of 130 isn’t far off. Along the way she’ll be studying video of every attempt, searching for an edge.

“Put your mind to it and work hard for what you want,” she said of her training philosophy, “because you’re the only one who can make the change happen.”

Shore Conference girls track & field honor roll

Here are more top Shore Conference girls performers over the first two weeks of outdoor track & field season:

Eve Segal, Ocean Township: The senior put the shot 41-10.5 at CBA’s Penn Relays qualifier and posted the top marks in the shot (38-0.75) and discus (101-7) at the Rocket Relays.

Riley Brazier, Toms River North: The junior won the javelin (135-2) and triple jump (34-3) at the Southern batch meet.

Bella Palmiotto, Manchester: The senior won the triple jump (35-11) and high jump (5-0) and took second in the long jump (16-5) at the Shore Conference’s B South Divisional Championship.

Abigail Hanemann, Point Pleasant Borough: The junior won the 400 (58.13) and 100 dash (13.10) at the Shore Conference’s B South Divisional Championship.

Izzy Rodriguez, Rumson-Fair Haven : The junior won the 400 hurdles (1:06.63) and anchored the winning Swedish sprint medley to a 2:27 victory at the Rocket Relays.

Am elia Gonzalez, Marlboro: The senior long jumped 17-3 at the Husky Relays.

Maddie Hussey, Middletown South: The senior put the shot a meet-best 35-8.5 and threw the discus 104-1 at the Husky Relays.

Jerry Carino has covered the New Jersey sports scene since 1996. Contact him at  [email protected]

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Subgrade Soil Susceptibility to Shrink/Swell and Frost Heave: Effects on Pavement Performance

Expansive clay soils that are susceptible to shrink and swell and silty soils that are susceptible to frost heave are found in many parts of the United States. At these locations, these soils serve as the subgrade of the pavement structure.

NCHRP Research Report 1096: Subgrade Soil Susceptibility to Shrink/Swell and Frost Heave: Effects on Pavement Performance , from TRB's National Cooperative Highway Research Program, presents a state-of-the-art update to pavement design procedures to better reflect the influence of subgrade soils susceptible to shrink/swell and/or frost heave on pavement performance.

Supplemental to the report is a dataset of appendices with research information for each chapter of the report.

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