Sailing Upwind: Pinching vs. Bearing Away vs. Motorsailing

How do you sail upwind without losing speed?

We've all been there. The destination is dead to windward, and you're tempted to point as high as possible. But that often backfires. So when you're close-hauled and the wind is just forward of the beam, do you pinch, bear away, or fire up the engine? Let's compare three approaches on four criteria: speed made good, boat handling, safety, and crew comfort. Then I'll tell you which one I'd actually use.

I remember one race where we tried to pinch up the final beat. The wind was 12 knots, flat water, and we were neck and neck with a competitor. We pinched, the sails luffed, and we stalled. Our competitor bore away, kept their speed, and beat us by 30 seconds. That day, I learned that pointing high isn't everything.

The three options

Pinching means sailing as close to the wind as possible, typically about 45 degrees off the true wind. Some performance boats can sail as close as 30 degrees before they stall. The idea is to minimize distance sailed, even if speed drops.

Bearing away means falling off to a close reach or beam reach, where the wind is at a right angle to the boat. This is often the fastest point of sail, especially with a standard headsail and mainsail. You sail farther but faster.

Motorsailing means running the engine with sails up. It's not pure sailing, but it's a legitimate technique when you need to make progress upwind in light air or against a current.

Criterion 1: Speed made good

Pinching feels fast because you're pointing high, but it often isn't. The sails luff, the boat slows, and you lose ground. Bearing away keeps the sails full and the boat moving. On a beam reach, the wind is at 90 degrees, and the sails act like a wing, generating lift. That's usually the fastest point of sail. So for speed made good, bearing away wins.

But here's a number: if you pinch and slow down by 0.5 knots, you might lose more distance in an hour than you gain by pointing 5 degrees higher. I've seen it happen in 15 knots of wind with a chop. The boat hobby-horsed and we lost speed. Bearing away kept us moving at 6.5 knots instead of 5.5. That's a mile gained in two hours.

Criterion 2: Boat handling and control

Pinching requires constant attention. The boat is on the edge of the no-go zone, which is about 90 degrees wide. One wrong twitch and you're in irons, stuck head to wind. Bearing away is more forgiving; the boat accelerates and the helm stays balanced. Motorsailing adds engine noise and a prop wash, but it gives you precise control in tight quarters.

Criterion 3: Safety

Pinching in heavy air is risky. When the boat stalls, you lose steerage way and can get pushed sideways. Bearing away in a blow means more apparent wind, which can overpower the boat. That's where seamanship comes in: reef early if a blow is coming. Motorsailing can be safer in a crowded channel because you can maneuver instantly, but you must remember that a sailboat under power is a powerboat for right-of-way purposes.

Criterion 4: Crew comfort and effort

Pinching is exhausting. The crew is constantly trimming, and the boat heels and pounds. Bearing away is more comfortable; the boat stands up and moves smoothly. Motorsailing is noisy and smelly, but it's less physical work. For a short-handed crew, that matters.

Head-to-head comparison

Who is each option for? Pinching is for racers in flat water who need every inch. Bearing away is for cruisers and daysailers who want a pleasant, fast ride. Motorsailing is for anyone fighting a deadline, a strong current, or a dying breeze.

What I'd actually do

I'd bear away. Every time. Unless I'm racing in flat water with a crew that can trim constantly, pinching is a trap. The speed you lose from sailing a slightly longer distance is almost always less than the speed you lose from stalling. On a beam reach, the boat is in its sweet spot—the sails are drawing, the helm is light, and the crew is happy. If the wind dies or the current is against me, I'll motorsail. But I'll keep the sails up and the engine at moderate RPM, and I'll remember that I'm now a powerboat for right-of-way. And if I'm ever in doubt, I'll fall off, keep the boat moving, and enjoy the ride. After all, a happy crew sails faster.

Sources

• Discover Boating (NMMA) - https://www.discoverboating.com/resources/points-of-sail-and-directions-of-sail-trim
• American Sailing Association - https://americansailing.com/articles/need-wind-to-sail/
• University of Rijeka sailing textbook - https://www.pfri.uniri.hr/bopri/documents/34-ME-tal_000.pdf