[capnq]

However, it would be very hard to navigate with such a sail as you can only sail with the photons (i.e. away from the nearby sun)

It doesn't work the same way as sailboat tacking against the wind, but a solar sail can change your distance from the sun in either direction.

It works because of orbital mechanics. You're orbiting the sun at a certain speed, and can angle the solar sail such that it either increases or decreases your orbital speed; the change in speed then changes the radius of your orbit.

Magnetic sails (indirect link) and related tech are even more promising.