In sailing, heaving to (to heave to and to be hove to) is a way of slowing a sailing vessel's forward progress, as well as fixing the helm and sail positions so that the vessel does not have to be steered.[1] It is commonly used for a "break"; this may be to wait for the tide before proceeding, or to wait out a strong or contrary wind. For a solo or shorthanded sailor it can provide time to go below deck, to attend to issues elsewhere on the boat or to take a meal break.[2][3] Heaving to can make reefing a lot easier, especially in traditional vessels with several sails.[4]: 113 It is also used as a storm tactic.[5]
A sailing vessel that is hove to is still, for the purposes of the collision regulations, on a defined tack. Therefore, unless other considerations dictate differently, it is helpful to heave to on the starboard tack, in order to be a "stand-on vessel", as per the regulations.[4]: 327
The term is also used in the context of vessels under power and refers to bringing the vessel to a complete stop. For example, in waters over which the United States has jurisdiction the Coast Guard may, under 14 U.S.C. §522, demand that a boat "heave to" in order to enforce federal laws.[6]
- ^ Schell, Andy (21 January 2013). "Cruising Tips: Heaving-To". Sail Magazine. Retrieved 21 June 2017.
- ^ www.sailingusa.info/points_of_sail.htm Archived June 26, 2006, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "Heavy weather conditions at sea (pictures and further explanation)". Retrieved 17 April 2015.
- ^ a b Cunliffe, Tom (2016). Hand, Reef and Steer: Traditional Sailing Skills for Classic Boats (second ed.). Adlard Coles. ISBN 978-1472925220.
- ^ Bruce, Peter (2016). Heavy Weather Sailing (7th ed.). Bloomsbury. pp. 192–195. ISBN 9781472928207. Retrieved 21 June 2017.
- ^ "18 U.S. Code § 2237 - Criminal sanctions for failure to heave to, obstruction of boarding, or providing false information". LII / Legal Information Institute. Retrieved 2022-11-13.