Can somebody explain to me how to manage headers and lifts in sailing?

Question

Can somebody explain to me how to manage headers and lifts in sailing?

I'm reading a sailing manual; I just don't get it.

Answer 1

I've been sailing for 30 years and I have never heard of headers and lifts. Are you sure you are reading a sailing manual?

Answer 2

If you are racing, you try to tack whenever you get headed.  That means you will be sailing a shorter course to the next mark.  If you are lifted, that means you probably already went too far on that tack and you have no choice but to just head up a little to maintain your best close-hauled angle.  

In case you are not understanding what headers and lifts are, a header is when the wind has shifted toward the bow of your boat, so it is forcing you to bear away more, away from the wind, and away from your destination presumably.  A lift is when the wind has shifted the other direction, so it is allowing you to head up more, closer to your destination.  This is mainly important when you are sailing upwind.  You are not going to notice headers and lifts as much when you are reaching or running.