in order to tack a boat moving into the wind, some speed is necessary. if too much time is taken in completing the tack, the forward momentum will be lost and the boat may move backwards. if a sailboat is caught going directly into the wind, it is called "in irons." this stops all forward motion of the boat. a tacking maneuver is a basic skill that is learned with practice. the maneuver also is different in a single person small sailboat than in a 40 or 50 foot racing sailboat.