Nautical Term: By the head
Definition of By the head
By the head refers to a boat or ship being positioned so that its bow (the front part of the vessel) is deeper in the water than other parts of the hull. For instance, in a racing situation, a sailor might steer their boat by the head to gain an edge in terms of sail area and waterline length.
For example, in a regatta race, the sailor of a 30-feet yacht might decide to sail by the head to gain an advantage over their competitors. By sailing closer to the wind and keeping its bow deeper in the water, the yacht could potentially achieve a longer waterline length and a larger effective sail area. Ultimately, this could result in the yacht sailing faster and staying closer to the wind than its competitors, thereby increasing its chances of winning the regatta race.
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