I think the real problem lies in the fact that even though points of sail refer to boat position relative to true wind, no one really knows for sure what true wind is, unless they have instruments that are calculating it on the fly. Its only one's best guess. So over time, the meaning has been corrupted, because we are trying to reference to a point we can't really define, once we are moving, so we get lazy and just go by apparent wind. Words are meant to describe or communicate facts
I've been reviewing the Sail Trim and Point's of Sail sections (and examining the diagrams) of
Sailing Fundamentals by Jobson (copyright 1998), a book touted as the "official" learn-to-sail-manual of the ASA and the USCG Aux. In discussing "Reading the Wind" the author refers to things like how flags are blowing ashore, the direction of smoke blowing from stacks, etc. So, clearly referencing the
true wind. Then he says: "The wind is always changing patterns during the day. Use a wind pennant at the top of your mast so you can tell what the wind is doing. This pennant is called the mast head fly." Unless the boat is in its slip, or is anchored, or otherwise not moving, it is now a clear reference to the
apparent wind, which is what the mast head fly responds to. This is the beginning of the author's confusion of the two terms, or at least of the reader's confusion. A couple of paragraphs later the author discusses the difference between true and apparent wind, but does not relate either to prior or later references to "the wind."
In the Section on Points of Sail the first one presented is "Sailing Close-Hauled." Also states, "Sailing close-hauled is also known as beating to windward." Here, we have a term that describes the
trim of a sail used to define
a point of sail: beating to weather, and is so presented as such in the POS diagram on p. 44. However, on the page next to the diagram (p. 45) the author states: "A sailboat's directional heading with respect to the wind is called her point of sail. There are three basic courses: beating (wind is from ahead) reaching (wind is from the side) and running (wind is from astern)."
So, the upwind Point of Sail is
beating or
perhaps beating to weather, but the diagram and subsequent text inserts the term close-hauled as a synonym for that Point of Sail. All presentation of sail trim depicts or describes sail trim on a given point of sail which is continually referenced to "the wind"; which, considering the big, bold, arrows implies true wind, but showing what could hardly be correct sail trim if the boat were making way. Clearly, a static POS diagram cannot illustrate a POS AND the correct sail trim of a vessel sailing on that POS relative to a true wind. So, the author punts in not specifically indicating which "wind" is being referred to on the diagram.
And the author is evidently aware of this. In an exercise where the student is in a boat at first fixed to the dock with the wind abeam, he has the student trim the mainsail to the true wind, and then writes the following. "Note: As the boat starts to move, the sail will begin to luff again.
Don't question it now, just sheet in (pull in the sheet) until the luffing stops." So, as far as the beginning student knows, the sail is properly trimmed to "the wind" as she/he feels it; and this all aligns with the Windex which is pointing the [apparent] wind ahead of the beam as he starts making way, etc. So the student goes almost instantly from a sail trim consistent with a beam reach (when fixed to the dock) to one, according to the illustrations, that might be consistent with sailing on a close reach if there were much wind that day. Now, you have to tell the kid--no, disregard the indications of your Windex and your sail trim set--you're still on a beam reach!!! Whew!--no wonder there is confusion!