tacking or coming about is a term in sailing that means the boat is changing directions by turning the bow of the vessel in relationship to the wind. it also means the course you are on relative to the direction of the oncoming wind. a tack with the wind blowing over the port (left) side of the boat is called a "port tack". a tack with the wind coming over the starboard side of the boat is called a "starboard tack". the sailboat's helmsman is responsible for communicating with the rest of the crew when making a tacking maneuver. when making a tack the helmsman calls out "ready about!" when the crew is ready they call out "ready", and the maneuver is started. the opposite of a tack (into the wind) is a jibe (changing direction while moving with the wind).