M_Boats: How close to the wind

Hi I know all I'll be showing is how little I know about these boats, But how close can you sail a 1985 15 , I'm finding that I'm having a hard time at about mid fifty degrees . Is this just a first year sailor's lack of experience . Or I'm I doing something wrong . I know there is probably a thread on this list about it but I can't find it Thanks in advance you all are a great resource KLaas