In sailing, to heave-to (or to be hove-to) is a maneuver used to "park" a sailboat at sea by balancing the sails and rudder to hold the boat nearly stationary relative to the wind. Instead of making forward progress, the vessel settles into a slow, controlled sideways drift.

Common Uses
Heavy Weather: It is a primary storm tactic. It reduces the boat's motion, making it more stable and comfortable for the crew to ride out a gale.

Rest and Maintenance: It allows the crew to safely step away from the helm to eat, perform repairs, or take a break without anchoring.

Emergencies: It is an effective technique for a Man Overboard (MOB) situation to stop the boat quickly near the person.

Waiting: Sailors often heave-to while waiting for a tide change, daylight, or a pilot boat before entering a harbor.

Executing the Maneuver
A standard way to heave-to in a sloop is to:
Settle on a close-hauled course. Tack the boat but do not release the jib sheet. The jib will remain on the windward side and become "backed". Once the boat loses momentum, turn the wheel to windward (or tiller to leeward) and lock it in place. Adjust the mainsheet until the boat finds its "sweet spot" of minimal motion.