what does tacking mean?

Answer 1

In sailors terms a tack is forward turn from port bow across the true center-line if the wind to the the starboard side bow. A tack can also be from starboard across center-line of wind to port bow. Both are considered upwind turns or upwind tacks. These two uses of the word "tack" are the only two turns sailors ever use the word to describe these two sailors turn references.

The word zig zag can loosely mean down wind turns. The adjective is much too general. In sailors vernacular the words Zig Zag is never used because it is meaningless.

Port is always the left side and starboard is always the right side of the hull or hulls.

A turn while moving down wind ts a "jibe" turn. It is the most dangerous turn as the boom raises and makes a vicious quick wide sweep across the rear "stern" of the boat. It's the skipper's duty to warn crew and passengers so thay can plan on safe seating positions well before he makes the down wind 'jibe" turn.

Answer 2

With the exception of country boy's answer you've got this well described.

Just to clear up some fog. Steven said it's a turn across the wind which is well said and can only mean the wind crosses the bow. Timo said it's the maneuver you do because you can't sail right into the wind. I think you caught the idea the pointed end was toward the wind, right?

Zig Zag is an exceptional nautical term. It's used to describe an erratic course with heading changes. That's what convoys did for heavens sake.

The description of changing the wind from starboard to port could be said just as well as, Changing the port bow from windward to Leeward. Yea it's true but people don't talk that way.

I have never heard of the term, upwind turn. Changing heading from 3 points to 2 points off the wind would be an 'up wind turn. but it's not a tack. The term upwind tack is even worse. That implies there's a, down wind or off wind tack?

Finally and most importantly a 'Jibe' is a critical maneuver, but it is very smooth if properly controlled. A well executed jibe is a must for competency tests of a Sail Boat Master.

Of your first two answers, Steven's was the clearest and best said.

Answer 3

To tack is to turn into the wind. It is a safer turn than to turn than a jibe. Tacking means to turn into the wind.

Answer 4

It means zig-zagging your boat across the wind, for the purpose of sailing into the direction the wind is coming from.

You can't sail directly into the wind, of course. You can, however, sail at a steep angle to it - somewhat into it, but in a slightly different direction. By sailing at a steep angle to the right, then to the left, and back and forth, you make progress in the direction of the wind.

Answer 5

sailing term. you can't sail right into the wind so you have to move forward by zig zagging. that's tacking.