American Sailing Association (ASA) 101 Practice Exam

When a boat is said to be sailing by the lee, it means that the mainsail is on the same side as the wind. In this sailing situation, the wind is coming over the back of the boat, and the mainsail is trimmed so that it catches this wind effectively. This type of sailing can often be tricky because it can lead to an inadvertent accidental jibe if the wind shifts, potentially causing a loss of control.

To clarify the context surrounding the other options: when the wind is behind the boat, it describes a points of sail known as "running," but that does not capture the specific condition of "by the lee." Saying a boat has capsized involves the vessel lying on its side in the water, which is not related to the boat's orientation in relation to the wind direction. Lastly, if a boat is going against the wind, it would be sailing upwind, which is a different point of sail entirely and does not apply to the concept of sailing by the lee. Thus, the definition of sailing by the lee distinctly aligns with the mainsail's position alongside the wind direction.