Weather helm is the tendency of sailing vessels to turn towards the source of wind, creating an unbalanced helm that requires pulling the tiller to windward (i.e. 'to weather') in order to counteract the effect.

What does it mean to sail to windward?

Did you know? In sailing terminology, windward means "upwind," or the direction from which the wind is blowing. A windward vessel refers to one that is upwind of another vessel; a leeward vessel is downwind. ... Thus, an island's windward side is wetter and more verdant than its drier leeward side.

What is the difference between weather helm and lee helm?

Lee helm is the tendency of a sailboat to turn away from the wind while under sail. It is the opposite of weather helm which is the tendency of a sailboat to "round up" into the wind.