where did this come from?

[captaind]

au contraire mon frere

come about: To tack or change heading relative to the wind.

tacking: working to windward by sailing close-hauled on alternate courses so that the wind is first on one side of the boat, then on the other.

jibing: changing direction with the wind aft; to change from one tack to another by turning the stern through the wind; also spelled gybing.

I'm sure the USCG and the National Maritime Center who sets the standards for testing would be interested in that definition.
Notice that in describing the gybe it says to change from one tack to another. A tack is a point of sail representing which side of the vessel the wind comes from.
If you answered that a tack was a maneuver it would be marked as incorrect. Tack is a noun not a verb.

[FATRAT]

This is exactly why I decided not to become a sailor. (lmao) Can I still be a pirate?

[kim&betty]

i certainly do not disparage your credentials or accomplishments captain, however tests/examinations are prepared by people, and people make mistakes. in my field we are required to take exams for different licencing levels. these are also "official" government prepared exams. on occasion questions that are answered correctly are marked as incorrect. they may be challenged, and after consideration if found to be a bad question it is thrown out of that and future exams. seen, respect.

[captaind]

That question has been challenged and NMC won't budge. I think they got the definition from Bowditch Vol ll.

You can be sure I give my candidates a heads up about this one.

[BR Mon]

This thread is now officially "In Irons"...I am going to give Captain D the "big boat right of way"...The OP asked why it is called a reach...I still say a reach is the sailors delight especially when the wind direction alows the boat to sail in a reach for a long period...Jamaica is not the only place I have heard a term used... Passengers most probably heard the term reach used by the crew...

[kim&betty]

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reach look at definition 2b intransitive verb

[kim&betty]

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tack i am not an english major, they say it's a verb. i really could be wrong, don't care, i'll REACH seastar in 9 days, blessings and respect to each and everyone of you!

[BR Mon]

I think the conversation on this board more fits the noun....On my last reach to Jamaica....Reach is a noun and can replace words such as trip, journey or voyage...That appears to be the way this word that got popular a few years ago on this board is used.....For a verb it could be.....What time did we we finally reach Negril after heavy traffic in Mo Bay??....Your usage above is a verb but most of the uses here are as a noun....I am not an English major but i do remember some substitution rules that can be used to see which one it is used as...

Oh, my money is still on the Sea Captain and his experience and use of sailing terms over an English Major that wrote a dictionary for merriam-webster..

Enjoy you upcoming REACH (n.) you will be very happy once you finally REACH (v.) Seastar..

[Rambo]

ITS SO SIMPLE.........

when your here your always reaching..$$$$$$$$$$

[Island Girl]

Verrryyy interesting conversation {{grin}} IRIE! *IG