Weather helm is the tendency of a sailboat to turn upwind (towards the wind), requiring the helmsman to pull the tiller to windward (weather side) or turn the wheel to leeward to maintain a straight course. It occurs when the sail's center of effort is behind the keel's center of lateral resistance.

Key Aspects of Weather Helm:
Safety Mechanism: It is generally considered safer than "lee helm." If the helm is released, the boat naturally turns into the wind and slows down.

Cause: Often caused by excessive heel (tipping), too much mainsail area, or the mast being raked too far aft, moving the force balance too far back.

Feeling: The tiller or wheel feels heavy and pulls toward the wind, requiring constant, tiring pressure to maintain a straight course.

Correction: Reduce heel, flatten the sails (reduce power), move the mast forward, or reduce the main sail area (reef).

Why it Occurs:
As a boat heels over, the submerged shape of the hull becomes asymmetrical, creating a natural tendency for the bow to turn toward the wind.