Untacking

Untacking is the act of releasing or detaching the tack of a sail from its attachment point in order to take down, furl, or reposition the sail. The tack is the lower forward corner of a sail; on a mainsail it is typically fastened to the deck near the mast or to a fitting on the boom, while on a jib or genoa it connects to the deck forward of the mast. Untacking involves loosening the tack’s fastener or line so the sail can be freed from its securing point and moved clear of fittings and hardware.

In practice, untacking occurs as part of sail-handling tasks such as reefing, furling, or lowering sails. It may require releasing a tack line, unhooking a staple or shackle, and guiding the sail away from the mast or boom to prevent creasing or snagging. The procedure varies with sail type and vessel rigging, but the goal is to detach the forward corner safely without damaging the sail or lines.

Untacking is distinct from the sailing maneuver known as tacking, which changes the vessel’s course by turning the bow through the wind. While some sailors may use the term informally to describe repositioning a sail during handling, standard navigation terminology uses tack and come about for changing tack, with untacking reserved primarily for the release and management of the sail’s tack.

Safety and care are important when untacking: secure all halyards and lines, work from a stable position, and avoid letting the sail strike the crew or equipment.