Basic Sailing Terminology

Sailing terminology seems to be another language. There are so many names for sails and boat parts that becoming well-versed in sailing lingo can be challenging.

Here is some of the basic sailing terminology:

• Beam: The width of the sailboat.
• Bow: The front of the sailboat.
• Stern: The rear of the sailboat.
• Astern: Behind the boat.
• Fore: Towards the bow.
• Aft: Towards the stern.
• Port: If you're facing the bow, left.
• Starboard: If you're facing the bow, right.
• Rudder: Used for steering, it looks kind of like a fin at the back of the boat. It's attached to the wheel.
• Tiller: A stick used for steering.
• Keel: The part of the boat which keeps it from flipping.
• Capsize: To overturn.
• Cabin: The area where you sleep.
• Mast: The tall pole on the boat where the sails hang.
• Boom: The smaller, horizontal pole attached to the mast.
• Halyard: A rope which lowers a sail. There are multiple halyards.
• Mainsail: The largest sail on the boat, it's right behind the mast.
• Main sheet: The rope which controls the mainsail.
• Jib: The small sail in front of the mast.
• Jib sheets: Ropes used for controlling the jib.
• Cleat: Where you secure a rope, without knotting it.
• Beat: Sailing into the wind. This is done in a zigzag pattern.
• Broach: To turn sideways to the wind and waves.
• Buoy: A brightly colored floating marker.
• Dinghy: A small boat used to transport people from shore to boats or for rowing.