The figure below provides basic information about the parts making up the sailboat, the various types of rigs, and the points of sailing (also useful in windsurfing).

In order to beat upwind, a sailboat will do several "zigzags" as it cannot go directly into the wind. Going downwind, on a broad reach, the boat will reach its highest velocity. Sailing fully downwind can either be down with a spinnaker, or by placing the mainsail and spinnakers on opposite sides in scissors.