Precisely! Since you can't know for sure the true wind direction without stopping the boat or using an electronic instrument, the best you can ever do is guess its direction. I know we all do this to some extent subconsciously. I *know* by instinct that I''m heading well off true wind and how to manage the boat in gusts accordingly. I do concede that we need to all be using the same definitions to discuss points of sail and Jake's example of rule interpretations/protests is reasonable.
At the same time, however, I find if diffcult to support references to the true wind when discussing sail trim amongst the on-board crew of a moving boat. I just want to know how the wind is hitting my sail cloth, regardless of my speed through the water. If we say we're on a board reach (with reference to true wind), then I need to work out my boat speed & direction & true wind speed before I can tell if my trim/steering is correct. If on the other hand, we say board reach (reference to apparent), then I know all I need to know to adjust sails/course for max performance.

Jake's diagram of the official points of sail is overly simplified, even for boats at monohull speeds. Take for example the boat on a beam reach. Are we to assume that boat is not moving, and so has its sails set at ~45 degrees to the true wind? If it is moving, then how fast with respect to the true wind's velocity? A better depiction for high performance boats would be to show typical sail trim angles for all true wind angles...but we'd need to account for wind velocities as well.



Mike Dobbs
Tornado CAN 99 "Full Tilt"