Pinching Meaning in Sailing

Pinching describes the act of steering the boat too close to the wind (higher than its optimal upwind angle). While it might look like you are taking a shorter path, pinching actually causes the sails to lose their aerodynamic lift and makes the boat slow down or ‘stall’ in the water. One clear example involves a beginner trying to reach a windward buoy without tacking, but by pinching, they lose so much speed that the boat starts to drift sideways. An expert sailor avoids pinching by watching the ‘tell-tales’ on the sail to ensure they stay in the ‘groove’ of maximum speed. It is a common mistake made in an attempt to sail a more direct route upwind. The result is almost always a loss of performance and time.