How to Get Out of Irons When Sailing: Step by Step

You are in irons when the boat stops head to wind with the sails flapping and no steerage. To get out: back the jib by holding it out to the side you want the bow to go away from, push the boom out the same way, and steer the tiller towards the backed sail (or the wheel away from it) as the boat drifts backwards. Once the bow falls off about 45 degrees, sheet in on the new side and sail away.

Why boats get stuck in irons

A sailing boat cannot sail directly into the wind. If you tack too slowly, steer too far up, or start a tack with too little speed, the bow stops in the no-go zone. The sails flap, the boat loses way and the rudder has no water flowing over it, so steering does nothing. More on the no-go zone in how to sail into the wind.

How to get out of irons

Back the jib, reverse the rudder, and let the bow fall off.

Decide which tack you want to end up on.
Back the jib: pull or hold the jib clew out to the side opposite your chosen tack. The wind pushes the bow away.
Push the boom out on the same side as the backed jib (dinghies) or let the main flap freely (yachts).
Reverse the steering: the boat is going backwards, so put the tiller towards the backed sail. On a wheel, turn it the way you want the stern to go.
Wait until the wind is about 45 to 60 degrees off the bow on the new side.
Release the backed jib, sheet in both sails on the new side, centre the helm and build speed before trying to point high.

Which way to push the tiller when going backwards.
You want the bow to go	Back the jib to	Tiller (going astern)
To port	Starboard	To starboard
To starboard	Port	To port

On a yacht

On a cruising yacht with a large genoa you can do the same by holding the clew out by hand or leaving the old sheet made fast. If there is sea room, simply waiting often works: the boat drifts back and the bow falls off on its own. In a tight spot near rocks or moored boats, start the engine, check for lines in the water, and motor out.

How to avoid getting stuck

Build full speed before tacking, sailing slightly free for a few seconds first.
Turn steadily, not too slowly and not with a violent shove that stops the boat.
In waves, tack in a flat patch between seas.
Keep the jib sheeted until the bow is through the wind, then release.

Read how to tack and gybe and practise in the sail handling lesson.

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Frequently asked questions

What does 'in irons' mean?

The boat has stopped with its bow pointing into the wind, the sails flapping and no steering. It cannot sail until the bow falls off to one side.

Why do I keep getting stuck in irons when tacking?

Usually from too little speed going into the tack, turning too slowly, or letting the jib go too early. Bear away slightly to build speed, then tack positively.

Can you get out of irons without a jib?

Yes. Push the boom out to one side so the main is backed, and reverse the rudder as the boat drifts astern. The bow will fall off away from the backed boom.

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