POINTS of SAILING
Port = Red = Left hand side of the boat (when facing forward).
Starboard = Green = Right hand side of the boat.
Tacking = turning the boat with the bows (pointed end) passing through the eye of the wind.
Gybing = turning the boat with the stern (blunt end or transom) passing through the eye of the wind.
A boat is on starboard tack when the wind is blowing from the starboard side of the boat.
A boat is on port tack when the wind is blowing from the port side of the boat.
A sail is like a wing stood on end, the shape is important and the flow of wind around the back of the sail provides the drive. We can sail faster than the wind.
As a boat moves it creates its own headwind. Any flag burgee or ribbon on the boat will indicate the APPARENT WIND which is a function of the true wind and the boats headwind. Sails are set to the apparent wind.
Avoid collisions at all costs.
Boats on starboard tack have right of way over boats on port tack.
Windward boats have to keep clear of boats to leeward.
Overtaking boats must keep clear.
There are many more rules that apply when you are sailing and racing. These will be learned as you develop your skills.