US Sailing Basic Keelboat Practice Test

Leeway is the sideways drift of a sailboat caused by wind pressure on the sails and hull, pushing the boat to the leeward side even as you point into the wind. The keel or centerboard resists this sideways motion, but some drift remains, so the boat’s track over ground ends up off from its heading. This is why sailors must compensate by steering higher into the wind to maintain a desired course. Leeward is the direction away from the wind, but leeway specifically refers to that sideways slippage itself. Drift is a more general term for movement due to wind or current, and yaw is the boat rotating about its vertical axis.