I have used the Langton rules system extensively.

To tack across the wind is a 3 turn maneuver.

Turn 1 into wind (if successful) is at 1/2 speed.
Turn 2 (if successful, and it's here SoG has no penalty or system for a failed tack) you turn across the wind with no forward movement.
Turn 3 (if again successful) you move at 1/2 speed again.

Perhaps a simple chit draw would suffice. Say draw an A damage chit if a zero is drawn then the tack is unsuccessful, a number would indicate how many points the ship turns through (this last one does not use a movement card so the end position is random and not one with intricate placing.)