A sailing vessel cannot sail directly upwind for very long. Usually, the sails are either full against the wind pulling the sailing vessel along down wind, or at an angle to the wind to "slice" along across the wind called a "tack". However, when the sailing vessel needs to change tack (first going left to right across the wind, then turning to go right to left across the wind), it can be accomplished by turning down wind, crossing the path of the wind as it comes across the stern of the sailing vessel, then "slicing" along on the opposite "tack". This process is called a "gybe". There is another way to change tack, that is to turn the sailing vessel into the wind, sailing upwind for a very short time, continuing the turn so as to sail on the opposite "tack". The process is, itself, called a "tack". Unfortunately during a "tack" when the sailing vessel spends that short time turning across "upwind", if the vessel comes to a stop because there isn't enough speed to completely turn across the wind, the vessel no longer has water passing the rudder enough to allow that rudder to continue steering. The sailing vessel will be slowly blown backwards a bit until it turns the sails to catch the wind properly to get the vessel going fast enough (usually down wind) for the rudder to steer again. When the vessel is stopped or going backwards a bit, this is when the sailing vessel is "in irons".
Basically, In irons is when the bow of a sailing vessel is headed into the wind and the boat has stalled and is unable to maneuver.
That's when the bow of a sailboat is aimed into the wind causing the sail to just flap with the wind instead of catching the wind as it does when it is coming over the side of the boat or from behind.
The nautical term for stopping a sailboat by pointing into the wind is "in irons."
A sailboat that has stopped moving due to no wind, or improperly oriented sails, is said to be "in irons"
Do you mean the mast?
Sailboat is your head Sailboat is your headSailboat is your head
Cowboys loved a colorful phrase! This was a fun way to say silverware. Your fork and spoon and knife weren't shooting irons, but eating irons.
Vw jetta 2000 dashboard warning light is red similar to a sailboat symbol. What does this mean?
Sailboat / Yacht.
It was an indication that "These ships belong to Spain.".
It is the registration identification of the vessel
"Irons in the fire" refers to the Old West practice of branding -- you kept the branding irons hot by sticking one end into the fire. If you have too many irons in the fire, you've got too many things going on at once.
What sort of boat do you mean? If you mean a sailboat: 66 days.