Windward Boat Meaning in Sailing

A windward boat refers to the vessel that is closer to the source of the wind when two boats are in the same area. According to the International ‘Rules of the Road,’ if two sailing vessels are on the same tack and overlapping, the windward boat is the ‘give-way’ vessel and must stay clear of the ‘leeward’ boat. One clear example involves a boat sailing further upwind of another; because they are the windward boat, they must be prepared to turn or slow down if the two paths converge.This rule exists because the windward boat typically has more ‘clean air’ and a better view of the situation, making it easier for them to maneuver. It is a foundational rule for preventing collisions on the water.