On Wed, 09 Feb 2005 00:25:37 GMT, Short Wave Sportfishing
wrote:

I assume you guys are talking about a close reach?

=============================================

Sort of. To be a truly close reach the wind angle has to be forward
of the beam and that generally requires a jib or specially cut
reaching sail. On a tight spinnaker reach the apparent wind angle is
forward of the beam because of the boat speed vector, but the true
wind is usually at just about 90 degrees.