CLOSE-HAULED, in Navigation, the general arrangement or trim of a ship's sails when she endeavours to make a progress in the nearest direction possible towards that point of the compass from which the wind blows. In this manner of sailing, the keel commonly makes an angle of six points with the line of the wind; but sloops and some other small vessels are said to sail almost a point nearer. All vessels, however, are supposed to make nearly a point of leeway when close-hauled, even when they have the advantage of a good
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failing breeze and smooth water. The angle of lee-way, however, increases in proportion to the increase of the wind and sea. In this disposition of the sails, they are all extended sidewise on the ship, so that the wind as it crosses the ship obliquely toward the stern from forwards, may fill their cavities. But as the current of wind also enters the sails in an oblique direction, the effort of it to make the ship advance is considerably diminished: she will therefore make the least progress when sailing in this manner. The ship is said to be close-hauled, because at this time her tacks, or lower corners of the principal sails, are drawn close down to her side to windward, the sheets hauled close-ast, and all the bow-jines drawn to their greatest extension to keep the sails steady.