Aug 09, 2026

Heaving to is an important skill for single-handing the sailboat. It takes some skill to predict the drift direction and speed. My boat drifts downwind and forward, maybe at 45 degrees to wind. Maybe that’s because the spreader is angled a bit aft, and main lays on it, preventing it from aligning with the wind. I saw the boat speed go up to a knot while drifting, which is comparable to drifting with sails down, and is greater than the speed of smaller drifting power boats. When planning to heave to I can choose one of two broad reach directions to drift to. Being on starboard tack makes me a stand-on vehicle, but in practice everyone gives me way regardless of tack.