The sails are properly set and trimmed. Which is TRUE when a vessel heads up from a beam reach to close-hauled?

Correct Answer: Option C — The vessel's speed decreases

Transitioning from a beam reach to close-hauled forces the vessel to point higher into the wind, increasing leeway and hydrodynamic drag. This aerodynamic adjustment inevitably causes the vessel's overall speed to decrease due to heightened resistance and reduced drive.