What kind of boat can sail closest to the wind?

Well, isn't the real answer to the question simply the boat that's designed the best for the job?

 

That is a correct statement, but do you really think it answers the question at all?

 

Succinctly.

 

Anything without a jib, is what will go highest to the wind. Just look at the high performance boats without jibs. look at modern grandprix race boats, jibs a re getting smaller and smaller.

 

fastsailing..........made me smile (big). I dropped by to maybe 'steal' upwind very high efficiency sail designs and landed here. Excellent topic and discussion. I've wondered if an ultralight multi drawing about 6" could point and sail the highest especially in very light air, not that it's the primary design feature. Beam to length ratio of hulls at 13 to 20:1. Planning on trying it.
As canoes were mentioned (anyone know Kanoa from Los Angeles?)