sailboat and definition

Sailing Terminology List: 300+ Sailing Terms

There’s a massive amount of sailing terms that any sailor will eventually learn with time and it can seem daunting essentially learning a new language.

Need to know sailing terminology will help you out when communicating with your crew members and captains of other vessels, so having a sailing terminology list handy can do a lot of good.

That’s why I put together this list of common sailing terms that’ll help you out the next time you head out on the water.

Aback – A foresail when against the wind, used when tacking to help the vessel turn. Abaft – Toward the stern, relative to some object. Abeam – On the beam, a relative bearing at right angles to the ship’s keel. Aboard – On or in a vessel. Adrift – A boat drifting without being propelled. Aft – At or towards the stern or behind the boat. Aground – A boat whose keel is touching the bottom. Amidships – The middle section of a vessel with reference to the athwartships plane, as distinguished from port or starboard. Apparent wind – The wind felt aboard a moving boat. Astern – Behind the stern of the boat. Athwartships – Across the boat from side to side.

Backstay – The standing rigging running from the stern to the top of the mast, keeping the mast from falling forward. Bail – To empty the boat of water. Ballast – Weight in the keel of a boat that provides stability. Barometer – An instrument that measures air pressure, an aid to forecasting the weather. Batten – A thin wood or fiberglass slat that slides into a pocket in the leech of a sail, helping to maintain an aerodynamic shape. Beam – The width of a boat at its widest point. Beam reach – Sailing in a direction at approximately 90 degrees to the wind. Bear away – To “fall off” or head away from the wind. Bearing – The direction from one object to another expressed in compass degrees. Beating – A course sailed upwind. Below – The area of a boat beneath the deck. Bend – To attach a sail to a spar or a headstay or to attach a line to a sail. Bight – A loop in a line. Bilge – The lowest part of a boat’s interior where water on board will collect. Bitter end – The end of a line. Blanket – To use the sail or object to block the wind from filling a sail. Block – A pulley on a boat. Boat hook – A pole with a hook on the end used for grabbing hold of a mooring or retrieving something that has fallen overboard. Boltrope – The rope that is sewn into the foot and luff of some mainsails and the luff of some jibs by which the sails are attached to the boat. Boom – The spar extending directly aft from the mast to which the foot of the mainsail is attached. Boom vang – A block and tackle system, which pulls the boom down to assist sail control. Bottom – The underside of a boat. Bow – The forward part of the boat. Bowline – A line running from the bow of the boat to the dock or mooring. Bow spring – A line running from the bow of the boat parallel to the dock or mooring that stops the boat from moving forward along the dock. Bowline – A knot designed to make a loop that will not slip and can be easily untied. Breast line – A short line leading directly from the boat to the dock. Broach – An uncontrolled rounding up into the wind, usually from a downwind point of sail. Broad reach – Sailing in a direction with the wind at the rear corner (the quarter) of the boat. Approximately 135 degrees from the bow of the boat. Bulkhead – A wall that runs athwartships on a boat, usually providing structural support to the hull. Buoy – A floating navigation marker. Buoyancy – The ability of an object to float. Bulwark – A solid side wall, often about waist high, from the outside edge of the deck to prevent someone from falling overboard. Burdened vessel – The vessel required to give way for another boat when the two may be on a collision course. By the Lee – A sailboat running with the wind coming over the same side of the boat as the boom.

Cabin – The interior of the boat. Can – In the U.S., it’s an odd-numbered green buoy marking the left side of the channel when returning to harbor. Capsize – To tip or turn a boat over. Cast off – To release a line when leaving a dock or mooring. Catamaran – A twin-hulled vessel with a deck or trampoline between the hulls. Catboat – A boat with only a mainsail and an unstayed mast located at the bow. Centerboard – A pivoting board that can be lowered and used like a keel to keep a boat from slipping to leeward. Centerline – The midline of the boat running from bow to stern. Chafe – Wear on a line caused by rubbing. Chainplates – Strong metal plates which connect the shrouds to the boat. Channel – A (usually narrow) lane, marked by buoys, in which the water is deep enough to allow a vessel safe passage. Chart – A nautical map. Charter – To rent a boat. Chock – A guide mounted on the deck through which dock lines and anchor rode are run. Chop – Rough, short, steep waves. Cleat – A nautical fitting that is used to secure a line. Clew – The lower aft corner of a sail. The clew of the mainsail is held taut by the outhaul. The jib sheets are attached to the clew of the jib. Close hauled – The point of sail that is closest to the wind when the sails are hauled close to the centerline of the boat. Close reach – Sailing in a direction with the wind forward of the beam (about 70o from the bow). Coaming – The short protective wall that surrounds the cockpit or hatch. Cockpit – The lower area of the deck in which the steering and sail controls are located. Coil – To loop a line neatly so it can be stored, or a reel of line. Come about – To alter course so as to cause the bow of the boat to pass through the eye of the wind. Companionway – The steps leading from the cockpit or deck to the cabin below. Compass – The magnetic instrument which indicates the direction in which the boat is headed. Compass rose – The circles on a chart which indicate the direction of true and magnetic north. Course – The direction in which the boat is being steered. Crew – Besides the skipper, anyone on board who helps run the boat. Cunningham – A line running through a grommet a short distance above the tack of the mainsail which is used to tension the luff of the main. Current – The horizontal movement of water caused by tides, wind, and other forces. Cutter – A single-masted boat rigged with both jib and staysail.

Daysailer – A small sailboat. Dead downwind – Sailing in a direction straight downwind. Deck – The mostly flat area on top of the boat. De-power – Reducing the power in the sails by luffing, easing the sheets, or stalling. Dinghy – A small sailboat or rowboat. Displacement – The weight of the boat; therefore the amount of water that it displaces. Dock – The quay or pontoon where a boat may be tied up. Dockline – A line used to secure a boat to the dock. Dodger – A canvas protection in front of the cockpit of some boats that are designed to keep spray off the skipper and crew. Downhaul – A line used to pull down on the movable gooseneck on some boats to tension the luff of the mainsail. Draft – The depth of a boat’s keel from the surface of the water.

Ease – To let out a line or sail. Ebb – An outgoing tide.

Fairlead – A fitting that guides sheets and other lines in a way that reduces friction and therefore chafe. Fairway – The center of a channel. Fake – Lay out a line on the deck using large loops to keep it from becoming tangled. Fall off – Alter course away from the wind. Fast – To secure something. Fathom – A measure of the depth of water. One fathom equals six feet. Fender – An inflated rubber or plastic bumper used to protect a boat by keeping it from hitting the dock. Fend off – To push off. Fetch – The distance of open water to windward between the shore and the boat. Fid – A tapered spike used to open the lay of a rope when splicing. Flood – An incoming tide. Following sea – Wave pattern hitting the stern of the boat. Foot – The bottom edge of the sail. Fore – Another word for “forward”. Forepeak – An accommodation or storage area in the bow below the deck. Foresail – A jib or genoa. Forestay – The standing rigging running from the bow to the mast top and to which the foresail is secured. Forward – Towards the bow. Fouled – Another word for “tangled”. Fractional rig – When the forestay is attached to the mast some distance below the top. Foul weather gear – Water resistant clothing. Freeboard – The height of the hull above the water’s surface. Full – Not luffing. Furl – To fold or roll up a sail.

Gaff – On some boats, a spar along the top edge of a four-sided fore and aft sail. Genoa – A large foresail whose clew extends aft of the mast. Give way vessel – The vessel required, by the regulations, to give way in a collision situation. G.M.T. – Greenwich Mean Time. The time at the prime meridian in Greenwich, London, England. Now referred to as Universal Time Coordinated U.T.C. Gooseneck – The strong fitting that connects the boom to the mast. Great Circle – A line drawn on a chart which is accurate over a long distance, a section of the Earth which intersects the center of the Earth. Grommet – A reinforcing ring set in a sail. Ground tackle – Collective term for the anchor and rode (chain and line). Gudgeon – A fitting attached to the stern into which the pintles of a rudder are inserted. Gunwale – The edge of the deck where it meets the topsides. Gybe – Another alternative spelling of “jibe”.

Halyard – A line used to raise or lower a sail. Hank – A snap hook which is used to secure the luff of a foresail to the forestay. Hard a-lee – The call given to the crew that will initiate the action of tacking. Hard over – To turn the helm or tiller as far as possible in one direction. Hatch – A large covered opening in the deck. Haul in – To tighten a line. Head – The toilet on a boat as well as the top corner of a sail. Headboard – The small reinforcing board affixed to the head of a sail. Headed – A wind shift which causes the boat to head down or causes the sails to be sheeted in. Heading – The direction of the boat expressed in degrees. Head down – Changing course away from the wind. Head off – Another word for “head down”. Head up – Changing course towards the wind. Headsail – A jib/genoa attached to the forestay. Headstay – The standing rigging running from the bow to the top of the mast. Head to wind – When the bow of the boat is dead into the wind. Headway – Forward progress. Heave – To throw. Heave to – To hold one’s position in the water by using the force of the sails and the rudder to counteract each other. Holding ground – The seabed or bottom ground in an anchorage. Hove to – A boat that has completed the process of heaving to with its aback, its main trimmed, and its rudder positioned to hold the vessel close to the wind. Heavy weather – Strong winds and large waves. Heel – The lean of the boat caused by the wind. Helm – The tiller. Helmsman – The person responsible for steering the boat. Hull – The body of the boat, excluding the rig and sails. Hull speed – The theoretical maximum speed of a sailboat determined by the length of its waterline.

Inboard – Inside of the rail of the boat. In irons – A boat that is head to wind and unable to move or maneuver.

Jackstay – A wire or webbing strap attached at the front and back of a vessel along the deck to which a safety harness line may be clipped. Jib – The small forward sail of a boat that is attached to the forestay. Jibe – To change the direction of the boat by steering the stern through the wind. Jibe oh – The command given to the crew when starting a jibe. Jiffy reef – A quick reefing system allowing a section of the mainsail to be pulled down and tied to the boom. Jury rig – An improvised temporary repair.

Kedge – A smaller anchor than the main or bower anchor. Often used for maneuvering or kedging off. Kedge off – To use an anchor to pull a boat into deeper water after it has run aground. Keel – The heavy vertical fin beneath a boat that helps keep it upright and prevents it from slipping sideways in the water. Ketch – A two-masted sailboat on which the mizzen (after) mast is lower than the mainmast and is located forward of the rudderpost. Knockdown – A boat heeled so far that one of its spreaders touches the water. Knot – One nautical mail per hour.

Land breeze – A wind that blows over the land and out to sea. Lash – To tie down. Lay – To sail a course that will clear an obstacle without tacking. Lazarette – A storage compartment built into the cockpit or deck. Lazy sheet – The windward side jib sheet that is not under strain. Lead – To pass a line through a fitting or block. Lee helm – The boats tendency to turn away from the wind. Lee shore – Land which on the leeward side of the boat. Leech – The after edge of a sail. Leeward – The direction away from the wind that is the direction that the wind is blowing to. Leeward side – The side of the boat or sail that is away from the wind. Leeway – The sideways slippage of the boat in a downwind direction. Lifeline – Rope or wire supported by stanchions. Lift – The force that results from air passing by a sail or water past a keel that moves the boat forward and sideways. Line – A rope. L.O.A. – The maximum Length Overall fore and aft along the hull. Lubber line – A line on a magnetic compass to help the helmsman steer the correct course. Luff – The leading edge of a sail as well as the fluttering of a sail caused by aiming too close to the wind. Lull – A decrease in wind speed for a short duration. L.W.L. – The length fore and aft along the hull measured at the waterline.

Magnetic – In reference to the magnetic north rather than true north. Mainmast – The taller of two masts on a boat. Mainsail – The sail hoisted on the mast of a sloop or cutter or the sail hoisted on the mainmast of a ketch or yawl. Mainsheet – The controlling line for the mainsail. Marlinspike – A pointed tool used to loosen knots. Mast – The vertical spar in the middle of a boat from which the mainsail is set. Masthead – The top of the mast. Maststep – The fitting in which the foot of the mast sits. Mizzen – The small aftermost sail on a ketch or yawl hoisted on the mizzenmast. Mizzenmast – The shorter mast aft of the main mast on a ketch or yawl. Mooring – A permanently anchored ball or buoy to which a boat can be tied.

Nautical mile – Standard nautical unit of distance equal to one minute of arc of the Earth’s latitude or 6080 feet. Navigation rules – Laws established to prevent collisions on the water. No-go zone – An area into the wind in which a sailboat cannot produce power to sail. Nun – A red even numbered buoy marking the right side of a channel when returning to port.

Offshore wind – Wind blowing away from the shore and out to sea. Offshore – Away from or out of sight of land. Off the wind – Not close-hauled point of sail. On the wind – Sailing upwind in a close-hauled point of sail. Outboard – Outside the rail of a boat. Outhaul – The controlling line attached to the clew of a mainsail used to tension the foot of the sail. Overpowered – A boat that is heeling too far because it has too much sail up for the amount of wind.

Painter – The line attached to the bow of a dinghy. Pay out – To ease a line. P.F.D. – A Personal Flotation Device such as a life jacket. Pinching – Sailing too close to the wind. Pintle – Small metal extension on a rudder that slides into a gudgeon on the transom. Point – To steer close to the wind. Points of sail – Boat direction in relation to the wind. Port – The left-hand side of the boat when facing forward, a harbor, or a window in a cabin on a boat. Port tack – Sailing on any point of sail with the wind coming over the port side of the boat. Prevailing wind – Typical or consistent wind direction. Puff – An increase in wind speed. Pulpit – A guardrail at the bows of a vessel.

Quarter – The sides of the boat near the stern.

Rail – The outer edges of the deck. Rake – The angle of the mast. Range – The alignment of two objects that indicate the middle of a channel. Reach – One of the several points of sail across the wind. Ready about – The command given to the crew to prepare to tack. Ready to jibe – The command given to the crew to prepare to jibe. Reef – To reduce the area of a sail. Reeve – To pass a line through a ring or block. Rhumb line – A straight line drawn on a Mercator chart, which intersects all meridians at the same angle. Rig – The design of a boat’s masts, standing rigging and sail plan. Rigging – The wires and lines used to support and control sails. Roach – The sail area aft of a straight line running between the head and clew of a sail. Rode – The line and chain attached from the boat to the anchor. Roller-furling – A mechanical system to roll up a headsail around the headstay. Rudder – A vertical blade attached to the bottom of the hull which is used to steer the boat. Run – Point of sailing when the wind is coming from dead astern. Running rigging – The lines used to control the sails.

Sail ties – Lengths of line or webbing used to secure sails when they are dropped or to secure the unused portion of a reefed sail. Schooner – A two-masted boat whose foremast is the same height or shorter than its mainmast. Scope – The length of anchor rode paid out in relation to the maximum depth of water. Scull – To propel a boat with a single oar fixed in a notch through the transom. Scupper – A cockpit or deck drain. Sea breeze – A wind that blows from the sea onto the land. Seacock – A valve which opens and closes a hole used as an intake or discharge from the boat. Secure – The make safe or tie down. Set – The direction of the current as well as to trim the sails. Shackle – A metal fitting at the end of a line used to attach the line to a sail or another fitting. Shake out – To remove a reef. Sheave – The wheel inside a block or fitting over which the line runs freely. Sheet – A line used to control a sail by pulling it in or easing it out. Shoal – An area of shallow water. Shroud – Standing rigging at the side of the mast. Singlehanded – Sailing alone. Skeg – A vertical fin in front of the rudder. Sloop – A single-masted sailboat with mainsail and headsail. Sole – The floor in a cockpit or cabin. Spar – A pole used to attach a sail on a boat, for example, the mast, the boom, or a gaff. Spinnaker – A large downwind headsail not attached to the head stay. Splice – The joining of two lines together by interweaving their strands. Spreader – A support strut extending athwartships from the mast used to support and guide the shroud from the top of the mast to the chainplate. Spring line – A dock line running forward or aft from the boat to the dock to keep the boat from moving fore or aft. Squall – A fast moving short intense storm. Stanchions – Stainless steel or aluminum supports at the edge of the deck which holds the lifelines. Standing rigging – The permanent rigging of a boat, including the forestay, backstay, and shrouds. Starboard – The right-hand side of the boat when looking forward from the stern. Starboard tack – Sailing on any point of sail with the wind coming over the starboard side of the boat. Stay – A wire support for a mast, part of the standing rigging. Staysail – Any sail which is attached to a stay. Steerage way – The minimum speed of the boat through the water that allows the rudder to function efficiently. Stem – The foremost tip of the boat. Stern – The aft part of the boat. Stern spring – A line running from the stern of the boat parallel to the dock or mooring that stops the boat from moving backward along the dock. Stow – To store properly. Swamped – Filled with water.

Tack – To alter course so as to cause the bow of the boat to pass through the eye of the wind. Tackle – A series of blocks and line that provide a mechanical advantage. Tail – To hold the end of a line so as to keep it under tension on a winch. Telltales – Short lengths of yarn or cloth attached to the sails which indicate when the sail is properly trimmed. Tide – The rise and fall of water level due to the gravitational effects of the sun and the moon. Tiller – A long handle attached to the rudder which is used to steer the boat. Toe rail – A low rail around the outer edge of the deck. Topping lift – A line used to hold the boom up when the mainsail is lowered or stowed. Topsides – The sides of a boat between the waterline and the deck. Transom – The vertical surface of the stern. Trim – To adjust the sail controls to create optimum lift from the sails. Trimaran – A three-hulled vessel. True wind – The actual speed and direction of the wind as you would feel when standing still. Tune – To adjust the boats standing rigging. Turnbuckle – A mechanical fitting attached to the lower ends of stays allowing the standing rigging to be adjusted.

Underway – A boat that is not attached to the ground by either anchor or mooring lines. Upwind – Towards the direction of the wind. U.S.C.G. – United States Coast Guard. U.T.C. – Universal Time Coordinated. As the modern term for Greenwich Mean Time, this is the standard reference time which is used internationally for navigational information.

Vang – A block and tackle system, which pulls the boom down to assist sail control. Veer – A clockwise change in the wind direction. Vessel – Any sailboat, powerboat, or ship.

Wake – Waves caused by a boat moving through the water. Waterline – The horizontal line on the hull of a boat where the surface of the water should be. Weather helm – The tendency of the boat to head up towards the wind, this increases as the sailboat becomes overpowered. Whip – To bind together the strands at the end of a line. Whisker pole – A pole temporarily mounted between the mast and the clew of the jib. Used to hold the sail out and keep it full when sailing downwind. Winch – A deck-mounted drum with a handle offering a mechanical advantage when used to trim sheets. Windward – Towards the wind. Windward side – The side of the boat closest to the wind. Wing-and-wing – Sailing downwind with the jib set on the opposite side to the mainsail. Working sails – The mainsail and the standard jib. Working sheet – The leeward sheet that is under tension.

Yard – The horizontal spar from which a square sail is suspended. Yawl – A two-masted vessel on which the mizzenmast is mounted aft of the rudderpost.

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Definition of sailboat

Examples of sailboat in a sentence.

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'sailboat.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

1752, in the meaning defined above

Dictionary Entries Near sailboat

sail burton

Cite this Entry

“Sailboat.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary , Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sailboat. Accessed 16 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

Kids definition of sailboat, more from merriam-webster on sailboat.

Nglish: Translation of sailboat for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of sailboat for Arabic Speakers

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Sailing Terms: A Complete Guide

Last Updated by

June 15, 2022

Learning sailing terms when you first get into boating can be a daunting task.

Some sailing terms are logical, like 'fore' means forward or front of the boat, while others might as well be in a different language. Athwartship, for example. Nothing in our daily lexicon gives any clues as to what that might mean. Like it or not, it's time to dust off the old noodle and get to memorizing some new vocab words!

Knowing the difference between a clew and a tack, a luff and a leech, will help you communicate with your sail maker regarding which part of your sail needs resewn. If you need to have your rigging adjusted, you must know the difference between your shrouds and your stays, your standing rigging vs. your running rigging.

By educating yourself in the correct names of all parts of your sailboat, you can avoid situations in which you may need to use terms such as ‘thingy’ or ‘that round part at the end of that thing’. While even the most seasoned sailor occasionally troops over the vernacular, it is always beneficial to have as wide a nautical vocabulary as possible. Many in the sailing community get by without knowing the entire sailing dictionary, but if you’re interested in avoiding vocabulary embarrassment, check out the list I’ve compiled of sailing terms that every sailor ought to know.

I’ve been sailing on and off throughout my life and I know from experience that it is incredibly helpful to know the correct terms for each part of your sails, rigging, and boat.

Sailors are among the kindest, most helpful people you’ll ever meet. But, if you’re looking for help on why you’re not getting the most speed out of your mainsail and you know don’t know the correct terms for each part of the sail, it may be hard to get advice from you fellow sailor on why ‘the back of the mainsail is flappy’. They would be more likely to give useful advice if you’re able to tell them that you’re struggling to keep wind in the roach of your mainsail. Check out my list of sailing terms and see if a few don’t stick. I’ve done my best to include pictures when possible.

Table of contents

Sailing Terms

Abeam : When an object, craft or island is abeam your vessel, that means that it is off the side of your boat. It is 90 degrees from the centerline of your boat.

Abaft : Toward the stern. “Honey, have you seen my boat shoes?” “They’re abaft the navigation table!” This is the opposite of forward.

Aft : In the stern of the boat. For example, the back cabin is referred to as the aft cabin.

Apparent wind : The wind direction and speed which the crew observes to be blowing in combination with the true wind. This is often different from the true wind direction and speed due to the boat's motion.

Astern : The area behind the boat. If you go astern, you are going in reverse.

Athwartship : Directionally perpendicular to the centerline of the boat.

Backing (a sail) : Forcing the sail to take wind into its opposite side by pulling the sail to the opposite side of the boat.

Backstay : The wire that runs from the back of the boat to the mast head. This prevents the mast from falling forward.

Bailer : Any scoop-like container that is used to remove water from within a vessel’s hull.

Ballast : Weight which adds stability to the vessel. The weight usually is composed of lead or iron and placed low in the boat's hull, such as within the keel.

Batten : a thin, flexible strip (often fiberglass) that is inserted into the main sail to help it stay open to the wind. The batten runs from the back edge of the sail (leech) toward the front edge (luff).

Beam : The width of the vessel at its widest point.

Beam reach : Sailing with the wind blowing perpendicular to the direction the boat is traveling.

Bearing off or Bearing away : Steering the boat away from the direction in which the wind is blowing.

Bend : a knot which connects two ropes.

Berth : A slip, a mooring, or a bed within the boat.

Bight : A bend or loop in a rope. When a rope forms a bight, it has changed direction 180 degrees.

Bilge : The lowest area within a boats hull. This area collects water which is then pumped overboard by a bilge pump.

Bimini : The covering over the cockpit. Usually constructed from a stainless steel frame covered with canvas or fiberglass. It provides protection from sun and rain, but not wind.

Binnacle : The pedestal centrally located in the cockpit that generally holds the steering wheel and navigational instruments.

Block : A pulley.

Boom : This pole runs perpendicular to the mast and holds the bottom of the mainsail in place. Its position is adjustable side to side as needed for the wind direction.

Boom vang : A tackle which ensures that the boom does not lift upward from wind pressure in the mainsail.

Boot Top or Boot Stripe : The stripe of tape or paint between the boat's underwater (bottom) paint and it’s above water (topside) paint.

Bow : Front end of the boat

Bowsprit : The forward most protruding pole or platform which some boats possess. This spar allows for the sails and rigging to be attached further forward.

Broach : When a boat sailing downwind accidentally ends up sideways to the waves and heels over dangerously. This can be caused by large seas or poor steering.

Broad reach : Sailing with the wind coming off your stern quarter. If you’re standing at the helm facing the bow, the wind is blowing halfway between the side and the back of the boat.

Bulkhead : The walls in a boat which run athwartship, or perpendicular to the centerline of the vessel.

Capsize : When a vessel tips over past 90 degrees.

Catamaran : A vessel with two hulls.

Centerboard : A retractable keel which helps the sailboat maintain course and stability underway. When raised, the vessel is able to enter shallow waters.

Centerline : An imaginary line that runs from the center of the bow to the center of the stern.

Chainplate : A metal plate that is secured to the boat's hull to which wires supporting the mast are attached. The chainplates may be exterior or interior, visible or hidden.

Chandlery : A store that sells boat supplies and parts.

Cleats : The wooden or metal piece to which ropes are secured.

Chock : A fitting that a line passes through to change direction without chafing.

Clew : The lower back corner of a sail. This is where the foot and leech of the sail meet.

Close-hauled : Sailing as close to the direction the wind is coming from as possible with the sails pulled in tight. (See Points of Sail for infographic.)

Close Reach : Sailing between close hauled and beam reach. (See Points of Sail for infographic.)

Coamings : The lip around a hatch or window which stops water from entering. Also the raised area around the cockpit to keep out water.

Cockpit : The area from which steering occurs. This can be in the center of the boat or in the back of the boat.

Companionway : The doorway into the cabin.

Cotter pin : a bendable metal pin which is inserted into a metal rod then bent to lock it in place.

Daybeacons : Markers for navigation which are on posts. These are red or green.

Dead run : Sailing with the wind coming from directly behind the boat. Sails are fully out to catch the wind.

Dead reckoning : Determining a vessel's position by knowing the direction and speed traveled.

Dinghy : A small boat which is used to travel to shore from the main vessel. This can be propelled oars or a motor.

Dodger : The structure at the front of the cockpit which protects the cockpit and companionway from wind and spray. This is generally made of stainless steel frame covered with canvas and plastic windows. It can also be a solid structure with solid windows.

Dismasting : When the mast breaks off the boat. This can occur due to rigging failure or structural failure of the mast.

Displacement : The weight of the water that would otherwise be in the place of the boats hull.

Drogue : A sea anchor which is deployed to help control the drift of a vessel. It can be constructed like a parachute, bucket, or even a rope dragging behind the boat.

Ebb tide : After high tide when the water is receding towards low tide.

EPIRB : Stands for Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon. This device transmits a distress signal to emergency services and notifies them of a vessel's location.

Fairlead: A fitting which encloses a line within a smooth ring and helps guide its direction.

Fathom : A measurement of water depth equal to 6 feet.

Fid : A pointed tool used when splicing a line.

Fiddle : The raised edge around a table which prevents objects from falling off as the boat rocks or heels.

Fix : Determining a vessel's location by using the compass bearing of two or more fixed points of reference such as landmarks or buoys.

Fin keel : A fixed, ballasted keel which is centrally located beneath the hull. It does not run the full length of the hull.

Flogging : When a sail flaps noisily because it is not being filled by the wind.

Flood tide : Time period between low tide and high tide when the water is rising.

Foot : The bottom edge of a sail.

Fore : At or near the bow of a vessel.

Forestay : The wire which leads from the bow to the top of the mast. The forward most sail attaches to the forestay either directly or by use of a roller furling system.

Full keel : A fixed, ballasted keel which runs the full length of the hull.

Furling system : A system around which the sail wraps when not in use and is unwrapped for sailing. This may be around the forestay or within the mast.

Freeboard : The distance on a vessel from the waterline to the deck.

Galley : The kitchen on a boat.

Gelcoat : A colored resin which is painted onto the outside surface of a boat and forms a protective glossy layer.

Genoa : A large forward sail which, when fully extended, comes back past the mast. Larger than a jib sail.

Gimbals : Often attached to a boat's stove, it is the fitting which allows an object to maintain an upright position when a vessel heels.

Gooseneck : The point at which the boom attaches to the mast. It allows the boom to move in all directions.

Ground tackle : The anchor, chain, and line used to fix a boat to the bottom when anchoring.

Gunwale : Pronounced “gunnel”. This is the top edge of a boat's hull.

Halyard : The line which attaches to a sail to raise it.

Hanks : The clips that attach the front edge (luff) of a sail to the forestay.

Hatch : An opening window in the cabin roof much like a skylight.

Head : Bathroom on a boat. Also, the uppermost corner on a sail.

Headway : The forward motion of a vessel through the water.

Heave to : A method of controlling a boat’s position to the waves and limiting headway by backwinding the forward sail and keeping the rudder hard over into the wind.

Heel : The tilt that occurs to a boat's hull when the sails are filled with wind.

In-Irons : When a sailboat is bow into the wind with sails flapping. No steerage is possible as the vessel has no forward motion. (See Points of Sail for infographic.)

Jackline or Jackstay : Lines that are run from the bow to the stern. To these safety lines, sailors attach a lanyard connected to their harness so that they may work on deck without fear of being swept overboard in rough seas.

Jib : A triangular forward sail.

Jib sheets : Lines used to control the jib.

Jibing : Pronounced with a long i sound. Steering the boat from one downwind direction to another downwind direction by turning the stern of the boat through the wind. This will cause the sails to move across the boat to the other side, i.e. from port to starboard.

Kedge anchor : A small, lighter second anchor.

Keel : The bottom most part of a boat's structure. This part provides ballast and stability.

Ketch : A sailboat with two masts. The forward mast is the taller mast.

Knot : Regarding speed, one knot is equal to one nautical mile per hour.

Lazyjacks : Light lines that run from the boom to the mast and help contain the mainsail while it’s being lowered to the boom.

Leech : The back edge of a sail. If the sail is square, then this term refers to the outside edges of the sail.

Lee shore : The shore onto which the wind is blowing. On an island, the side of the island facing into the wind is the lee shore.

Leeward : The direction to which the wind is blowing. If the wind is coming from the north, then south is leeward.

Luff : The forward edge of the sail.

Lying a-hull : When a vessel is drifting with all of it’s sails down.

Mainsail : Pronounce main’sil. The primary sail of a boat that is hoisted up or unfurled from the mast.

Mayday : An emergency call put out over a marine radio when there is clear and present danger to the crew of the vessel.

Mizzen : The shorter mast behind the main mast on a ketch.

Monohull : A vessel with a single hull.

Mooring field : An anchorage in which permanently anchored buoys are present to which vessels may be secured.

Multihull : A vessel with more than one hull such as a catamaran or trimaran.

No-sail zone : This is an area 45 degrees to either side of directly into the wind. It is not possible for a boat to sail in this zone as the sails cannot fill with wind. Tacking is necessary. (See Points of Sail for infographic.)

On the hard : When a vessel is out of the water and being stored on land.

Painter : The line which secures the bow of a dinghy to the main boat.

Pan Pan : Pronounced pon-pon. This is an urgent distress radio call which is used when a vessel needs assistance. It is one step below Mayday.

Points of sail : The vessels course in relation to the direction of the wind.

Port : The left side of the boat when facing forward.

Port tack : Sailing with the wind hitting the port side of the vessel and the sails are out on the starboard side.

Pulpit : The metal rails at the bow of the boat which protect the crew from going overboard.

Pushpit : The metal rails at the back of the boat to protect the crew from going overboard.

Quarter : The back corner area of the boat. This area is 45 degrees behind, or abaft, the beam of the vessel.

Reef : reducing the size of the sail in high winds for the safety of the crew and equipment. This is done by either tying or rolling the sail to the boom or forestay.

Rigging : All the wires and ropes used to hold the mast in place and adjust the sails.

Roach : The outer back edge area of the mainsail. If you were to draw a diagonal line from the head of the sail to the clew (back corner), the roach would be outside this diagonal line.

Roller furling : A system which rolls the sail up when not in use. The sail is stored on the roller either at the mast or boom for the mainsail, and at the forestay for the jib or genoa.

Rudder : Steering fin at the back of the boat. Controlled by a steering wheel or tiller from the cockpit.

Running : Sailing in a downwind direction.

Running rigging : The lines, such as sheets and halyards, which control the sails.

Schooner : A sailing vessel with two or more masts. The mainmast is at the back.

Seacock : a valve which can be open or closed to allow water to flow in or out of a through hull fitting.

Scope : The length of chain and line that is between the anchor and the boat.

Scuppers : Deck drains which allow water to flow overboard.

Securite : Pronounced securi-tay. This is a radio call to provide mariners with local marine safety information.

Shackle : A metal U or D shaped link which has a removable pin through the ends.

Sheet : A line or rope which connects to the clew (back corner) of a sail. It is used to control or trim the sail.

Shrouds : Wires or ropes which run from the deck chainplates to the mast. The shrouds prevent the mast from moving side to side.

Skeg : A section of the hull from which the rudder hangs. It provides a variable amount of protection to the rudder depending on its size.

Sloop : A single masted sailboat with a mainsail and a foresail.

Slugs : Fittings on the front edge (luff) of the mainsail that slide into the mast track for hoisting the sail.

Spinnaker : A large, light, often colorful sail that is used off the bow of the boat for sailing downwind (running).

Splice : Connecting two lines together by weaving their strands together.

Spreaders : The horizontal arms extending out from the sides of the mast.

Spring line : Dock lines positioned from the bow to a midship point on the dock or from the stern to a midship point on the dock. This line configuration helps decrease forward and backward motion of the boat while docked.

Stanchions : The metal posts along the outside edge of the deck through which the lifelines run.

Standing rigging : The wires and ropes, such as the shrouds and stays, that are permanently in place and hold up the mast.

Starboard : The right side of the boat when facing forward.

Starboard tack : Sailing with the wind hitting the starboard side of the boat and the sails out on the port side.

Stays : The wires or ropes which run from the bow and stern to the mast top to keep the mast from moving forward or backward.

Steerage way : When a vessel is moving through the water with enough speed to allow the rudder to steer the boat.

Stern : The back end of a boat.

Storm jib : A small, strong forward sail used in heavy winds.

Swing : The circular motion of an anchored boat around it’s anchor due to wind and water movement.

Tack : The forward lower corner of a sail.

Tacking : Turning the boat across the direction the wind is coming from to change course direction. This causes the sails to travel to the other side of the boat.

Tender : Small boat used to transport from shore to the main boat.

Tiller : A bar which controls the rudder and is used to steer the boat from the cockpit. It is used in place of a steering wheel.

Toe rail : The raised lip around the edge of the deck. This can be constructed of wood, fiberglass, or aluminum. It helps prevent items from rolling overboard.

Topping lift : A wire or rope which runs from the back end of the boom to the mast top. This line controls the height of the boom.

Trysail : A small, strong storm sail that is used in place of the mainsail in high winds.

Trim : To adjust the sails.

Winch : A round, drum-like mechanical device used to pull on a line to raise or adjust sails.

Windlass : A winch used to raise and lower the anchor.

Windward : The direction from which the wind is blowing.

Wing on wing : Sailing downwind with the mainsail out on one side and the foresail on the opposite side.

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Beth lives on board her 1983 30ft S2 sailboat with her husband, 6 year-old son, and her two fur babies. She has been sailing and boating for most of her life. Beth has been blessed to experience cruising in the Great Lakes, the Bahamas, and in Alaska. She loves to travel and adores living on her tiny boat with her family.

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Basic Sailing Terminology: Sailboat Parts Explained

Sailing is a timeless activity that has captivated the hearts of adventurous souls for centuries. But, let’s face it, for beginners, sailing can be as intimidating as trying to navigate through a dark, labyrinthine maze with a blindfold on. The vast array of sailing terminology, sailboat parts and jargon can seem like a foreign language that only the most experienced seafarers can comprehend.

Fear not, intrepid sailor, for this comprehensive guide on basic sailing terminology for beginners will help you navigate the choppy waters of sailing jargon with ease. From learning the difference between the bow and stern to mastering the intricacies of sail trim, this article will equip you with all the knowledge you need to confidently take to the seas. So hoist the mainsail, batten down the hatches, and let’s set sail on this exciting journey of discovery!

Parts of a Sailboat

Before you can begin your sailing adventure, it’s important to familiarize yourself with the different parts of a sailboat. From the sleek bow to the sturdy keel, each component plays a vital role in keeping your vessel afloat and propelling you forward through the waves.

• Hull The main body of the boat that sits in the water and provides buoyancy and stability.
• Bow The front of the boat that meets the water and helps to determine its direction.
• Stern The rear of the boat where the rudder and motor are located.
• Deck The flat surface of the boat that you stand on, which can include various features such as seating, storage compartments, and hatches.
• Cockpit The recessed area of the deck where the skipper and crew sit or stand while sailing, which allows for easy access to the sail controls and provides protection from the wind and waves.
• Keel The long, fin-shaped structure beneath the waterline that helps to keep the boat stable and upright.
• Rudder The flat, vertical surface located at the stern of the boat that is used to steer and control the direction of the boat.
• Tiller or wheel The mechanism used to steer the boat, either in the form of a tiller (a handle attached to the rudder) or a wheel (similar to the steering wheel of a car).
• Mast The tall, vertical pole that supports the sails and allows you to catch the wind and move through the water.
• Boom The horizontal pole extending off the bottom of the mast that holds the bottom edge of the mainsail.
• Mainsail The large, triangular-shaped sail attached to the mast and boom that captures the wind’s power to propel the boat forward.
• Jib The smaller, triangular-shaped sail attached to the bow that helps to steer the boat and balance the force of the mainsail.
• Rigging The network of ropes and cables that hold the mast and sails in place and help control their movement.

Sail Terminology

Understanding the terminology associated with sails is critical to becoming a successful sailor. Here are 12 of the most important sail terms you should know, along with brief explanations for each:

• Luff The forward edge of a sail that is attached to the mast, allowing you to adjust the sail’s shape and angle to catch more wind.
• Leech The aft edge of a sail that is attached to the boom, which helps to control the sail’s shape and release the wind as needed.
• Foot The lower edge of a sail that is attached to the boom, which helps to control the sail’s shape and power.
• Head The top of a sail that is attached to the mast and controls the sail’s overall shape and angle.
• Battens The long, thin strips inserted into the pockets of a sail to help maintain its shape and stiffness.
• Clew The bottom corner of a sail that is attached to the boom or sheet, which helps to control the sail’s shape and power.
• Tack The bottom forward corner of a sail that is attached to the boat or a line, which helps to control the sail’s shape and power.
• Sail Area The total area of a sail, which is measured in square feet or meters.
• Sail Draft The curve or depth of a sail, which affects its performance and power.
• Sail Shape The overall form and contour of a sail, which is critical for catching the wind effectively.
• Reefing The process of reducing the sail area by partially lowering or folding the sail, which can be necessary in strong winds or heavy seas.
• Furling The process of rolling or folding a sail to reduce its size or stow it away, which is often used when entering or leaving port or in rough conditions.

Wind Direction and Sail Positioning

Understanding wind direction and sail positioning is crucial for successful sailing. Here are the key terms you need to know:

Types of Wind

• Apparent Wind The wind that is felt on the boat, which is a combination of the true wind and the wind generated by the boat’s movement.
• True Wind The actual direction and strength of the wind.

Points of Sail

You can find a detailed explanation of the points of sail here

• Close-Hauled Sailing as close to the wind as possible, with the sail set at a sharp angle to the boat.
• Beam Reach Sailing perpendicular to the wind, with the sail set at a right angle to the boat.
• Broad Reach Sailing with the wind at a diagonal angle behind the boat, with the sail angled away from the boat.
• Running Sailing directly downwind, with the sail on one side of the boat.

Other Terms

• Windward The side of the boat that is facing the wind.
• Leeward The side of the boat that is sheltered from the wind.
• Sail Trim Adjusting the sail and rigging to maximize the power and efficiency of the sailboat.

Navigation Terminology

Navigating a sailboat requires an understanding of a variety of nautical terms. Here are some of the most important terms you should know:

• Starboard Side The right side of a boat
• Port Side The left side of a boat
• Compass A device used for determining the boat’s heading or direction.
• Bearing The direction from the boat to a specific point on land or water.
• Chart A map or nautical publication that displays water depths, navigational aids, and other important information for safe navigation.
• Latitude The angular distance between the equator and a point on the earth’s surface, measured in degrees, minutes, and seconds.
• Longitude The angular distance between the prime meridian and a point on the earth’s surface, measured in degrees, minutes, and seconds.
• Course The direction in which the boat is traveling.
• Plotting The process of marking a course on a chart or map.
• Waypoint A specific point on a navigational chart or map that serves as a reference point for plotting a course.

• Tacking This maneuver involves turning the bow of the boat through the wind in order to change direction. To tack , the sailor will turn the helm towards the wind until the sails begin to luff, then quickly steer the boat in the opposite direction while adjusting the sails to catch the wind on the new tack.
• Jibing This maneuver is similar to tacking, but involves turning the stern of the boat through the wind. To jibe, the sailor will steer the boat downwind until the sails begin to luff, then quickly turn the stern of the boat in the opposite direction while adjusting the sails to catch the wind on the new tack.
• Heading up This maneuver involves turning the boat closer to the wind in order to sail upwind. To head up, the sailor will turn the helm towards the wind while simultaneously trimming the sails in to maintain speed and prevent the boat from stalling.
• Falling off This maneuver involves turning the boat away from the wind in order to sail downwind. To fall off, the sailor will steer the helm away from the wind while simultaneously easing the sails out to catch more wind and accelerate the boat.
• Docking This maneuver involves bringing the boat alongside a dock or other fixed object in order to moor or disembark. To dock, the sailor will typically approach the dock at a slow speed while using lines and fenders to control the boat’s position and prevent damage.

Knots and Lines

Learning the right knots and lines to use is essential for any sailor. Here are some of the most important knots and lines to know:

• Bowline This is a versatile knot used for many purposes, including attaching a line to a fixed object, such as a mooring or cleat.
• Square Knot A simple knot used to join two lines of the same diameter.
• Clove Hitch A quick and easy knot for attaching a line to a post or piling.
• Figure-Eight Knot A knot used to stop the end of a line from unraveling.
• Cleat Hitch A knot used to secure a line to a cleat.
• Sheet Bend A knot used to join two lines of different diameters.

• Main Halyard A line used to raise the mainsail.
• Jib Sheet A line used to control the angle of the jib.
• Mainsheet A line used to control the angle of the mainsail.
• Jib Furling Line A line used to furl the jib.

Sailing Safety

• Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs) These are the life jackets or vests that you must wear when on board to ensure your safety. Choose a PFD that fits you properly and is appropriate for your body weight.
• Tethers and Harnesses These are designed to keep you attached to the boat and prevent you from falling overboard. Make sure to clip yourself onto the boat when you’re on deck or going up to the mast.
• Man Overboard ( MOB ) Drill This is a critical safety procedure to practice with your crew. Learn how to quickly identify and recover someone who has fallen overboard.
• Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) An EPIRB sends a distress signal and your location to rescue services in an emergency. Make sure it’s properly registered and in good working condition.
• Navigational Lights Ensure your boat has the required navigational lights and know how to use them properly. These lights help other boats see you in low-light conditions.

Remember that safety is always the top priority when sailing, and it’s essential to take it seriously.

Sailing Terminology Conclusion

As we come to the end of our sailing terminology crash course, it’s important to remember that the world of sailing is vast and varied. Learning even the basics can be a daunting task, but with practice and perseverance, you’ll be able to hoist your sails and set a course for adventure.

Whether you’re a seasoned sailor or just starting out, understanding the terminology is crucial to ensure a safe and enjoyable voyage. From the parts of the boat to the knots and lines, each aspect plays a significant role in the overall sailing experience.

So, as you prepare to embark on your next sailing adventure, keep in mind the importance of safety, navigation, and proper etiquette on the water. And remember, when all else fails, just hoist the Jolly Roger and hope for the best! (Just kidding, don’t actually do that.) Happy sailing!

What is the difference between apparent wind and true wind?

Apparent wind is the wind felt by the sailor on the boat, while true wind is the wind direction and speed relative to the ground.

What are the points of sail?

The points of sail are the directions that a sailboat can travel in relation to the wind. They include upwind, close-hauled, beam reach, broad reach, and downwind.

What does it mean to be “on a reach”?

Being “on a reach” means sailing with the wind coming from the side of the boat, at a perpendicular angle to the boat’s direction.

What is tacking?

Tacking is the maneuver used to turn the boat’s bow through the wind, allowing the boat to change direction while still sailing upwind.

What is jibing?

Jibing is the maneuver used to turn the boat’s stern through the wind, allowing the boat to change direction while sailing downwind.

What is the difference between windward and leeward?

Windward is the side of the boat that is facing into the wind, while leeward is the side of the boat that is sheltered from the wind.

What is a boom vang?

A boom vang is a line used to control the position of the boom, which helps control the shape and position of the sail.

What is a cleat?

A cleat is a device used to secure a line to the boat, allowing the sailor to adjust the tension of the line without having to hold onto it constantly.

What is a winch?

A winch is a mechanical device used to control lines and adjust sails. It typically consists of a drum and handle that can be turned to wind or unwind a line.

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The Anatomy of a Boat

By: Zeke Quezada, ASA Equipment , Learn To Sail , Sailboats

Do You Know the Parts of a Boat

Learning to sail is not just about feeling the wind in your sails. You also become familiar with the vessel that will be part of your new lifelong adventure. A sailboat can seem daunting with all its moving parts, but it is quite simple.

I recently learned the term Keel Hauling, and I was a bit shocked at not knowing the reference.  When you sail, you take on an entirely new language of words, sayings, and jargon.  A few of us sailors even embrace the same Jimmy Buffet songs as part of our perennial sailing playlist.  (that is another story for a different time)

My wife, who has sailed for over 20 years, is competent under most conditions at sail and knows her way around our vessel, but I was surprised that she didn’t know some of the simple terms that we sailors use daily. There are some fundamental terms that all sailors learn as they begin their sailing career and the rest of the information follows along as you spend more time on the water.

When you embark on a sailing education in ASA 101 Basic Keelboat Sailing, you learn about the anatomy of a boat. These are part of the fundamentals of sailing.  While these few terms are interchangeable among boats, they certainly are not the only terms you’ll learn, but they are the beginning of a new language when you become an ASA certified sailor.

This is a keelboat. It is different from a dinghy in that it is larger than 20 feet and has a keel. Keelboats start at around 20 feet with no upper limit in length. A 200-foot megayacht is considered a keelboat.

Sailboat Terminology

Dinghy – A small sailboat usually under 20 feet long and open for most of its length.

Keel – A fixed appendage on the bottom of the hull that provides sideways resistance needed to counter the force of the wind on the sails. The keel also carries ballast , usually iron or lead, the weight of which counteracts the force of the wind that causes a sailboat to heel , or lean over.

Hull – The watertight structural shell of a boat.

Bow – The forward part of a boat

Stern – The aft part of the boat. 

Transom – The more or less flat surface that closes the hull at the stern

Rudder – The sailboat is steered by a fin-shaped appendage attached beneath the boat toward the stern which can be rotated to change the angle at which the water strikes it. Water must flow past the rudder in order fo rit to work so it will not turn the boat while at rest.

The rudder is controlled by a wheel or a tiller at the helm of the boat. The person steering the boat is the helmsman .

Cockpit – The area of the boat, usually recessed into the deck , from which the boat is steered and sailed.

Deck – The generally horizontal surface that encloses the top of the hull.

Companionway – The entrance from the cockpit or deck to the cabin.

Stanchion – A metal post that supports lifelines .

Lifeline – A wire supported on stanchions around the perimeter of the deck to prevent crew from falling overboard.

Pulpit – A guardrail at the bow or stern of a boat to which (usually) the lifelines are connected.

Learning to Sail

• ASA 101: What You’ll Learn ASA 101 is your introduction to Basic Keelboat Sailboat and is your key to a lifetime of sailing.
• How To Sail Sailing a boat is part art and part skill but few activities offer such a variety of pleasures as sailing. Something special occurs when you cast off the lines and leave your cares at the dock.
• 7 Tips For The Beginning Sailor There are the obvious things you need when you go sailing, sunscreen, a hat, a windbreaker, non-skid shoes, and wind. However, what do you really need to be ready to head out on the water?
• How To Learn To Sail You won’t have to buy a boat or learn a new language or buy a new wardrobe to get a taste for sailing. You can dictate how much you want to experience.
• Learning To Sail Is Just The Beginning Sailing means different things to different people. At ASA we understand that learning to sail is just the beginning of a relationship with a lifestyle that is infectious. Where will sailing take you? We have a few ideas but how you view sailing is the most important.
• What Is Your Role on a Boat? What type of sailor are you and what role do you take on the boat? Your ASA sailing education will prepare you to be a skipper on a sailing vessel and with that comes the responsibility of keeping your crew safe and ensuring the safety of the vessel you are sailing.

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150+ Nautical Terms: Illustrated Guide

Sailing and nautical terms have been refined over centuries, forming a unique glossary that can leave even the most seasoned wordsmiths scratching their heads.

Today, we’ll look at the terminology of words and names used at sea to help you through even the saltiest conversations.

Terms for the components a sailboat consists of

Let’s start with terms for the parts a sailboat is put together from. These refer to each component and explain what they are.

The main parts

Mast : The mast is the big, tall spar that holds up the sails! Some boats have more than one mast.

Mainsail:   The mainsail is the sail behind the mast and on top of the boom. Often just referred to as “the main.”

Boom:  The spar that sticks out behind the mast.

Rudder:  The rudder is also a fin sticking down under the boat but is located back towards the stern and connected to the wheel or tiller, enabling you to steer the vessel.

Headsail:  The sail(s) in front of the mast. Many boats have more than one headsail and can be of different sizes and shapes.

Spreader:  The fins or wings that space the shrouds out from the mast.

Hull:  This is the body or structure of the boat. Monohulls have one hull, catamarans have two hulls, and trimarans have three hulls – you get the point.

Keel : This is the heavy fin sticking down under the middle of the boat, allowing it to sail. There are many different keel designs, but they are all heavy, and their job is to keep the vessel stable and track through the water under sail.

Helm: This is the position where you steer the boat. Usually, this is a wheel, but it can also be a tiller on many vessels.

Cockpit: The cockpit is the boat’s steering position and where you will find the helm.

Transom: The flat surface across the stern of the boat.

Bow and Stern: The bow is the front part of a boat, while the stern is the rear end. 

Midship:  By some called amidships – The center of the boat.

Beam: The widest part of the boat. It is also referred to as the sides on the middle of the vessel.

Waterline: This is the part where the hull (body) of the boat meets the water. Many ships have a painted stripe to mark the waterline, indicating the boat’s load. If you have too much stuff on board, the waterline goes underwater, and it is time to do some housekeeping!

Freeboard: The vertical part of the ship side between the water and the deck.

Deck: The deck is the “floor” of the boat when you are outside. You have probably heard the term “All hands on deck!”

Spar: The general term for a pole made of a solid material like wood or metal used to support a boat’s sail. The mast, boom, spreaders, etc., are defined as spars.

Gooseneck:  This fitting connects the boom to the mast and allows it to move horizontally and vertically.

You can read more about the different parts of a sailboat in this article.

The standing rigging which holds the sails

Forestay:  The forestay   is a wire that runs from the bow to the top of the mast. Some boats, like the Cutter rig, can have several additional inner forestays in different configurations.

Furling system:  Most sailboats have their headsail on a furling system, a tube running along the forestay from the bottom furler drum to the masthead swivel. 

Backstay/Aft stay:  The wire that runs from the aft of the boat up to the top of the mast.

Shrouds:  On most common cruising boats, there are usually four shrouds on each side to support the mast from sideways motion. The shrouds are generally made of wire but can also be rods or Dyneema lines. The  cap shrouds  run from the masthead through the tips of the spreaders down to the deck. The  intermediate shrouds  run from the lower part of the mast, through the lower spreaders, and to the deck. The  lower shrouds  run from the mast under the lower spreaders down to the deck – one forward and one aft on both sides. This is called  continuous rigging .

Turnbuckle:  The fitting that connects the shrouds to the  chainplate  on the deck. These are adjustable, allowing tensioning of the rig.

Chainplate:  A fixed strong point bolted on the deck. Usually reinforced with a backing plate underneath. 

You can read more about the standing rigging in this article .

The running rigging which operates the sails

Line:  The running rigging on a sailboat often consists of lines, a type of rope with a smooth surface that works well when used on a winch. 

Halyard:  This is the line you use to hoist and lower the sail. 

Sheets:  The sheet is the line you use to  control a sail . The  mainsheet  controls the angle of the mainsail and is attached between the boom and the  mainsheet   traveler . The two headsail sheets are connected to the sail’s clew (lower aft corner) and run back to each side of the cockpit.

Outhaul:  The outhaul is attached to the clew of the mainsail and used to adjust the foot tension. 

Topping lift:  A line attached to the boom’s end runs through the masthead and down to the deck or cockpit. Used to lift and hold the boom and also function as a spare main halyard.

Downhaul:  A line used to lower with. Typically used to lower the mainsail when reefing and lowering the spinnaker and whisker poles.

Reef line:  Depending on your setup, these lines are used to reduce the sail area of the mainsail.

Shaking a reef: When we sail with a reefed sail and want to increase the sail area back to full, we call it shaking the reef.

Equipment used to operate the running rigging

Block:  A pulley with a sheave wheel. These are used to change the direction of a pull on a line or rope and give a mechanical advantage. 

Mainsheet Traveler:  The traveler is a horizontal track attached to the mainsheet through a series of blocks. The traveler enables you to adjust the boom from side to side or lock it at an angle.

Cars:  The cars are pulleys or blocks attached to a track on the side decks that your headsail sheets run through. They are used to control the angle of the sheet between the clew and the deck. 

Jammer:  The jammer is used to lock a line in place. Most sailboats use these for locking the halyards, mainsheet, outhaul, reef lines, traveler lines, boom vang lines, etc. 

Spinnaker Pole:  A spar used to wing out a headsail when sailing off the wind, particularly the Spinnaker. 

Whisker Pole:  Similar to the spinnaker pole, but typically built lighter and attached to a track on the mast. These can be found in fixed lengths or adjustable lengths. 

Boom Vang/Rod Kicker:  A compression pole is used to tension the boom downwards. 

You can read more about the running rigging in this article.

Deck gear and hardware

In-mast furling:  A furling system that furls the mainsail in and out of the mast as opposed to the traditional way where the mainsail is secured to the boom and is hoisted and lowered on a track behind the mast.

In-boom furling:  A furling system that furls the mainsail in and out of the boom. 

Stack Pack:  Also called  Lazy Bag or Lazy Pack . A bag with a zip attached to the boom where the mainsail is stored when unused.

Lazy Jacks:  A set of lines running from the stack pack to the mast guides the mainsail up and down from the Stack Pack and prevents it from falling on the deck. 

Masthead:  Not to be confused with the term masthead rigging. Out of context, the masthead is the top of the mast.

Winch:  A metal drum that gives you a mechanical advantage when tightening lines.

Sprayhood:  The windshield of the boat that protects the people in the cockpit from sea spray. Some ships have canvas spray hoods that can be folded down or removed. Others have solid sprayhoods, often called a  hard dodger  or a  doghouse .

Bimini:  The cockpit’s roof protects you from the elements and provides shelter from spray, rain, and burning sun rays! A bimini can be made of canvas or hard material. The hard bimini is usually called a  hardtop .

Outboard:  Short-term for an outboard engine, which usually belongs to the dinghy.

Cruisers:  What we sailors often call ourselves. Especially those of us living onboard. Although salty, we are definitely handy to have on board as we are also electricians, mechanics, plumbers, and you name it.

Fenders:  Like Captain Ron said in the movie, the rubber bumper things you hang off the side of your boat to prevent it from scratching against something like the key side or another boat. Conveniently also used to sit on or as a backrest while relaxing on the deck.

Boat Hook:  A long stick with a hook at the end. Used to grab lines, items, and stuff that is too far to reach by hand, like cushions flying overboard. It is also convenient as a tool to push the boat away from another ship or the key. Or to push mud or clay off the anchor . Or catch a wild flying halyard. Most vessels have them on board, and you want one or two. (They tend to get lost at sea).

Guard Rail:  This can be a flexible wire or a solid metal rail surrounding the boat to prevent us from falling overboard. Some also use a net as an addition for increased safety.

Pushpit:  The metal guard rail around the stern of the boat. This is where the guard rail is secured on the stern. A common place to mount the BBQ, life raft, and the outboard for the dinghy. 

Pulpit:  The metal guardrail on the bow. This is where the guard rail is secured onto the bow.

Stanchion:  The metal bar that keeps the guard rail in place around the boat between the pushpit and the pulpit.

Arch:  A big structure usually made of stainless steel on the back of a boat. Often used to mount a variety of items like antennas, radars, solar panels, wind generators, etc.

Ground Tackle:  This consists of your  anchor , your anchor  chain,  the link between the two, and the connection between the chain and your boat. The ground tackle is basically the system that holds your boat to the ground.

Windlass:  The winch that hoists or lowers the anchor and chain. Most boats have one on the bow, and some have one on the stern, too. These incredible things can be electrical or manual (some are both) and are essential to anchor your boat when not in a port or marina. Try to haul the anchor manually once – you’ll put a windlass on the top of your wish list pretty quickly…

VHF   Radio:  Very High-Frequency Radio that broadcasts on the VHF network and makes you able to communicate with others around you. Sadly, you won’t be able to tune in to your favorite radio show on these. Still, they are invaluable at sea for communication.

Chart Plotter:  A navigation computer that shows various information on a screen, like charts, routes, radar images, etc.

Parts below the decks

Companionway:  The “front door” of the boat. This is where the steps lead from the cockpit or deck down below. It is usually opened and closed using a hatch, two doors, or a plate.

Galley:  The kitchen of a boat is never to be called a kitchen. Always use the term galley when you are onboard!

Saloon:  This is the boat’s living room and usually where you find the settee and dinette.

Settee:  The couch in a ship.

Dinette:  This is the area where you can sit down at a table and eat your dinner. It’s also perfect for consuming rum in good company and a game of cards.

Cabin:  These are the “rooms” onboard but might not necessarily be the “bedrooms.”

Head:  There are no bathrooms on a boat, only heads. If your skipper tells you to go and clean the head, getting out the shampoo won’t do you any good.

Nav station:  Usually a chart table and a console with mysterious instruments like radios, chart plotters, radar screens, and all sorts of complicated electronics. This is often where adventures are planned and the skipper’s favorite seat onboard. (At least, that is my favorite and where all this content is created!).

Bilge:  The space in the bottom of the hull where water collects and sometimes a storage space for all sorts of things. It usually contains a  bilge pump  to pump out water that finds its way into the boat in various places. You may have heard the phrase: “Treasures of the bilge.” Now you get it!

Berth:  A place in the boat where you can sleep. This doesn’t necessarily have to be a bed and can often include the sleeping space in the salon. The term  sea-berth  usually refers to a sleeping position where you are tucked well in and can sleep when the boat is heeling over and moving around.

V-berth:  The bed in the front cabin is shaped like a V.

Bulkhead:  A wall inside the boat, usually supporting the structure.

Terms used for directions and navigation

Port and Starboard : Port refers to the left side of the boat when facing the bow (front), while starboard signifies the right side. 

Windward and Leeward : The windward side refers to the side of a boat facing the wind, while the leeward side is the side sheltered from the wind. These sailing terms also apply to geographic features, like islands or coastlines, that offer protection from the wind.

Chart : A nautical chart is a map specifically designed for marine navigation, depicting water depths, shoreline features, navigational aids, and potential hazards.

Compass : A compass is an essential navigational instrument that indicates magnetic north, allowing sailors to determine their heading and steer their vessels accordingly.

Course : The course is a vessel’s intended direction of travel, expressed in degrees from true or magnetic north.

Heading : The heading is the actual direction a vessel points, also expressed in degrees from true or magnetic north.

Latitude : Latitude is a geographic coordinate that specifies a location’s distance north or south of the equator, measured in degrees, minutes, and seconds.

Longitude : Longitude is a geographic coordinate that specifies a location’s distance east or west of the Prime Meridian, measured in degrees, minutes, and seconds.

Waypoint : A waypoint is a specific location, defined by its latitude and longitude, that serves as a reference point for navigation.

Bearing:   The angle between the observer’s position and a distant object, measured in degrees from true or magnetic north.

Fix : A fix precisely determines a vessel’s position using various navigational methods, such as bearings, GPS, or visual landmarks.

Dead Reckoning : Dead reckoning is a method of estimating a vessel’s current position based on its previous position, speed, and course over time.

Tide : Tides are the regular rise and fall of sea levels caused by the gravitational forces exerted by the Moon and Sun. 

Current : Current refers to the horizontal movement of water in a particular direction. Currents can significantly affect a vessel’s speed and course, so make sure to consider them when sailing and navigating.

Buoy: A buoy is a floating device anchored in a body of water, such as an ocean, sea, lake, or river, to serve various purposes, including navigation, marking channels, identifying hazards, or indicating mooring locations.

The names of different sails and their parts

Mainsail:  The mainsail is the sail behind the mast and on top of the boom. 

Genoa :  A Genoa is a headsail that extends past the mast and overlaps the mainsail. 

Jib :  A Jib is a headsail that does not overlap the mainsail. 

Staysail:  A staysail is usually found on cutter rigs and is the sail set on the inner forestay.

Yankee:  A yankee headsail is used similarly to a Genoa or Jib but has a high-cut clew and is often used on cutter-rigged boats together with a staysail.

Mizzen sail:  A mizzen sail is typically a small triangular sail set on the aft mast of a boat with several masts, like the ketch rig.

Storm sail:  A storm sail is a small, strong sail to be used in heavy weather conditions where the headsail is furled to the point where its shape doesn’t give you drive anymore or/and when you want a smaller mainsail than your reefing setup allows you. The storm sails provide stability in the vessel in heavy weather sailing.

Spinnaker:  A Spinnaker is a symmetric light wind sail used to sail off the wind at deep angles between 120 and 180 degrees.

Gennaker:  A Gennaker is a cross between the Genoa and Spinnaker. It has the same type of light fabric as the Spinnaker but is asymmetrical like a Genoa with a tack set on the bow and a sheet led back from the clew to the stern of the boat.

Code Zero:  A code zero sail is a cross between a Genoa and a Gennaker. It is also designed for light wind with its lightweight fabric but has a different shape than a Gennaker. This makes it able to be used while sailing upwind, unlike the Gennaker.

Parasailor:  A parasailor is similar to a spinnaker but with some differences. It has a double-layer wing that inflates as the sail gets filled with air. This wing works like a batten and keeps the leech out while generating lift on the bow, making it effective between 70 degrees and all the way down to 180 degrees dead downwind.

The different parts of a sail

Tack:  The tack of the sail is the lower forward corner.

Clew:  The clew of a sail is the lower aft corner.

Head:  The top corner of a sail. 

Foot:  The foot of the sail is logically the bottom part of the sail between the clew and the tack.

Luff:  The luff is the front edge of the sail between the tack and head.

Leech:  The leech is the aft part of the sail between the clew and head. 

Telltales:  Telltales are small ropes, bands, or flags attached to the sail to give you an indication of the airflow around your sail. 

Battens:  Battens are slates or tubes inserted in pockets on the mainsail to help it keep its shape better and increase its lifespan.

Learn more about the different types of sails in this guide . 

Terms used when we talk about wind and weather

Gust : A gust is a sudden, brief increase in wind speed, often accompanied by a change in direction.

Squall : A squall is a sudden, strong wind that typically lasts for a short period and is often associated with rapidly changing weather conditions, such as thunderstorms or cold fronts.

Barometer : A barometer is an instrument used to measure atmospheric pressure. Changes in atmospheric pressure can indicate upcoming weather changes.

High-Pressure System : A high-pressure system is an area of relatively high atmospheric pressure, characterized by sinking air and typically associated with calm, clear weather.

Low-Pressure System : A low-pressure system is an area of relatively low atmospheric pressure, characterized by rising air and typically associated with clouds, precipitation, and potentially stormy conditions. Sailors usually refer to these systems as a “low.”

Front : A front is a boundary separating two air masses of different temperatures and humidity levels. Fronts are associated with changes in weather conditions and can cause sudden wind shifts and varying wind strengths.

True Wind Speed, or TWS: The actual wind speed affecting you at a point when you are standing still.

True Wind Direction, or TWD: The direction the wind is blowing from.

True Wind Angle, or TWA: The angle between your boat’s heading and wind direction.

Apparent Wind Speed, or AWS: The wind affecting the boat while in motion.

Apparent Wind Direction, or AWD: The direction of the wind in relation to your boat underway.

AWA  –  Apparent Wind Angle: The angle to wind while you are underway

Beaufort Scale : The Beaufort Scale is a system used to measure wind speed, ranging from 0 (calm) to 12 (hurricane). You can learn more about it at MetOffice here .

Saffir Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale: A scale describing hurricane wind speeds in categories from 1 to 5.

Learn more about the difference between actual and apparent wind in this guide .

Terms we use when cruising at speed under sail

Port Tack:  When the wind blows on the port side of your sails

Starboard Tack:  When the wind blows on the starboard side of your sails

Tacking: When you steer the boat from a starboard tack to a port tack and vice versa  upwind .

Gybing:  When you steer the vessel from a starboard tack to a port tack and vice versa  downwind .

Heeling : When the wind fills the sails and leans the boat over to the side.

NM:  Nautical Miles

Kt:  Knots – A measurement of speed used on boats.

Deg: Short for degrees

SOG: Speed over Ground, usually measured by GPS

SOW:  Speed over Water, usually measured by the boat’s speed log transducer.

COG:  Course Over Ground, the direction your boat is  moving  towards.

HDG:  Heading, the direction your boat is  pointing  towards.

Boom preventer:  A line or rope tied to the end of the boom and led forward of the mast to prevent it from swinging over when sailing off the wind.

Overpowered:  When wind overpowers the boats’ ability to steer a straight course. This typically happens when you try to sail above your boat’s hull speed, carrying too much sail area in relation to the wind, or your sails are poorly trimmed.

Hull Speed: The speed your boat has achieved when its created wave has the same length as the hull’s water length. Many displacement sailboats (the ones that don’t plane on top of the water) get hard to steer when going faster than this. You can learn more about how to calculate your hull speed in this guide: https://sailingellidah.com/average-distance-sailed-in-a-day/

Pro Tip:  Your COG and HDG will sometimes differ due to wind and current pushing you sideways.

Terms for the boats heading in relation to the wind

These sailing terms are best known as our points of sail and describe the vessel’s heading in relation to the wind:

Close Hauled:  When sailing close-hauled, the vessel’s heading is as close to the wind as possible, typically between 35-50 degrees.

Close Reach:  When sailing at an angle between 50 and 80 degrees, give or take.

Beam Reach:  The wind comes in from the side.

Broad Reach:  When bearing away from 90 degrees to around 135 degrees.

Running:  When sailing downwind.

You can learn more about the 5 points of sails in this guide : 

Final Words

I know there are a lot of nautical words and terms to keep track of, but luckily, no one expects you to know them all right away. You’ve probably already taken note of the most important ones, which means you’ve taken a giant leap in the right direction. Keep at it; you’ll speak like the saltiest seadog before you know it.

Did I forget to mention any terms you know of? Let me know in a comment below!

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Skipper, Electrician and ROV Pilot

Robin is the founder and owner of Sailing Ellidah and has been living on his sailboat since 2019. He is currently on a journey to sail around the world and is passionate about writing his story and helpful content to inspire others who share his interest in sailing.

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Sailboat Parts Explained: Illustrated Guide (with Diagrams)

When you first get into sailing, there are a lot of sailboat parts to learn. Scouting for a good guide to all the parts, I couldn't find any, so I wrote one myself.

Below, I'll go over each different sailboat part. And I mean each and every one of them. I'll walk you through them one by one, and explain each part's function. I've also made sure to add good illustrations and clear diagrams.

This article is a great reference for beginners and experienced sailors alike. It's a great starting point, but also a great reference manual. Let's kick off with a quick general overview of the different sailboat parts.

General Overview

The different segments

You can divide up a sailboat in four general segments. These segments are arbitrary (I made them up) but it will help us to understand the parts more quickly. Some are super straightforward and some have a bit more ninja names.

Something like that. You can see the different segments highlighted in this diagram below:

The hull is what most people would consider 'the boat'. It's the part that provides buoyancy and carries everything else: sails, masts, rigging, and so on. Without the hull, there would be no boat. The hull can be divided into different parts: deck, keel, cabin, waterline, bilge, bow, stern, rudder, and many more.

I'll show you those specific parts later on. First, let's move on to the mast.

Sailboats Explained

The mast is the long, standing pole holding the sails. It is typically placed just off-center of a sailboat (a little bit to the front) and gives the sailboat its characteristic shape. The mast is crucial for any sailboat: without a mast, any sailboat would become just a regular boat.

I think this segment speaks mostly for itself. Most modern sailboats you see will have two sails up, but they can carry a variety of other specialty sails. And there are all kinds of sail plans out there, which determine the amount and shape of sails that are used.

The Rigging

This is probably the most complex category of all of them.

Rigging is the means with which the sails are attached to the mast. The rigging consists of all kinds of lines, cables, spars, and hardware. It's the segment with the most different parts.

The most important parts

If you learn anything from this article, here are the most important parts of any sailboat. You will find all of these parts in some shape or form on almost any sailboat.

Okay, we now have a good starting point and a good basic understanding of the different sailboat parts. It's time for the good stuff. We're going to dive into each segment in detail.

Below, I'll go over them one by one, pointing out its different parts on a diagram, listing them with a brief explanation, and showing you examples as well.

After reading this article, you'll recognize every single sailboat part and know them by name. And if you forget one, you're free to look it up in this guide.

On this page:

The hull is the heart of the boat. It's what carries everything: the mast, the sails, the rigging, the passengers. The hull is what provides the sailboat with its buoyancy, allowing it to stay afloat.

Sailboats mostly use displacement hulls, which is a shape that displaces water when moving through it. They are generally very round and use buoyancy to support its own weight. These two characteristics make sure it is a smooth ride.

There are different hull shapes that work and handle differently. If you want to learn more about them, here's the Illustrated Guide to Boat Hull Types (with 11 Examples ). But for now, all we need to know is that the hull is the rounded, floating part of any sailboat.

Instead of simply calling the different sides of a hull front, back, left and right , we use different names in sailing. Let's take a look at them.

The bow is the front part of the hull. It's simply the nautical word for 'front'. It's the pointy bit that cuts through the water. The shape of the bow determines partially how the boat handles.

The stern is the back part of the hull. It's simply the nautical word for 'back'. The shape of the stern partially determines the stability and speed of the boat. With motorboats, the stern lies deep inside the water, and the hull is flatter aft. Aft also means back. This allows it to plane, increasing the hull speed. For sailboats, stability is much more important, so the hull is rounded throughout, increasing its buoyancy and hydrodynamic properties.

The transom is the backplate of the boat's hull. It's the most aft (rear) part of the boat.

Port is the left side of a sailboat.

Starboard is the right side of a sailboat

The bilges are the part where the bottom and the sides of the hull meet. On sailboats, these are typically very round, which helps with hydrodynamics. On powerboats, they tend to have an angle.

The waterline is the point where the boat's hull meets the water. Generally, boat owners paint the waterline and use antifouling paint below it, to protect it from marine growth.

The deck is the top part of the boat's hull. In a way, it's the cap of the boat, and it holds the deck hardware and rigging.

Displacement hulls are very round and smooth, which makes them very efficient and comfortable. But it also makes them very easy to capsize: think of a canoe, for example.

The keel is a large fin that offsets the tendency to capsize by providing counterbalance. Typically, the keel carries ballast in the tip, creating a counterweight to the wind's force on the sails.

The rudder is the horizontal plate at the back of the boat that is used to steer by setting a course and maintaining it. It is connected to the helm or tiller.

Tiller or Helm

• The helm is simply the nautical term for the wheel.
• The tiller is simply the nautical term for the steering stick.

The tiller or helm is attached to the rudder and is used to steer the boat. Most smaller sailboats (below 30') have a tiller, most larger sailboats use a helm. Large ocean-going vessels tend to have two helms.

The cockpit is the recessed part in the deck where the helmsman sits or stands. It tends to have some benches. It houses the outside navigation and systems interfaces, like the compass, chartplotter, and so on. It also houses the mainsheet traveler and winches for the jib. Most boats are set up so that the entire vessel can be operated from the cockpit (hence the name). More on those different parts later.

Most larger boats have some sort of roofed part, which is called the cabin. The cabin is used as a shelter, and on cruising sailboats you'll find the galley for cooking, a bed, bath room, and so on.

The mast is the pole on a sailboat that holds the sails. Sailboats can have one or multiple masts, depending on the mast configuration. Most sailboats have only one or two masts. Three masts or more is less common.

The boom is the horizontal pole on the mast, that holds the mainsail in place.

The sails seem simple, but actually consist of many moving parts. The parts I list below work for most modern sailboats - I mean 90% of them. However, there are all sorts of specialty sails that are not included here, to keep things concise.

The mainsail is the largest sail on the largest mast. Most sailboats use a sloop rigging (just one mast with one bermuda mainsail). In that case, the main is easy to recognize. With other rig types, it gets more difficult, since there can be multiple tall masts and large sails.

If you want to take a look at the different sail plans and rig types that are out there, I suggest reading my previous guide on how to recognize any sailboat here (opens in new tab).

Sail sides:

• Leech - Leech is the name for the back side of the sail, running from the top to the bottom.
• Luff - Luff is the name for the front side of the sail, running from the top to the bottom.
• Foot - Foot is the name for the lower side of the sail, where it meets the boom.

Sail corners:

• Clew - The clew is the lower aft (back) corner of the mainsail, where the leech is connected to the foot. The clew is attached to the boom.
• Tack - The tack is the lower front corner of the mainsail
• Head - The head is the top corner of the mainsail

Battens are horizontal sail reinforcers that flatten and stiffen the sail.

Telltales are small strings that show you whether your sail trim is correct. You'll find telltales on both your jib and mainsail.

The jib is the standard sized headsail on a Bermuda Sloop rig (which is the sail plan most modern sailboats use).

As I mentioned: there are all kinds, types, and shapes of sails. For an overview of the most common sail types, check out my Guide on Sail Types here (with photos).

The rigging is what is used to attach your sails and mast to your boat. Rigging, in other words, mostly consists of all kinds of lines. Lines are just another word for ropes. Come to think of it, sailors really find all kinds of ways to complicate the word rope ...

Two types of rigging

There are two types of rigging: running and standing rigging. The difference between the two is very simple.

• The running rigging is the rigging on a sailboat that's used to operate the sails. For example, the halyard, which is used to lower and heave the mainsail.
• The standing rigging is the rigging that is used to support the mast and sail plan.

Standing Rigging

Here are the different parts that belong to the standing rigging:

• Forestay or Headstay - Line or cable that supports the mast and is attached to the bow of the boat. This is often a steel cable.
• Backstay - Line or cable that supports the mast and is attached to the stern of the boat. This is often a steel cable.
• Sidestay or Shroud - Line or cable that supports the mast from the sides of the boat. Most sailboats use at least two sidestays (one on each side).
• Spreader - The sidestays are spaced to steer clear from the mast using spreaders.

Running Rigging: different words for rope

Ropes play a big part in sailing, and especially in control over the sails. In sailboat jargon, we call ropes 'lines'. But there are some lines with a specific function that have a different name. I think this makes it easier to communicate with your crew: you don't have to define which line you mean. Instead, you simply shout 'mainsheet!'. Yeah, that works.

Running rigging consists of the lines, sheets, and hardware that are used to control, raise, lower, shape and manipulate the sails on a sailboat. Rigging varies for different rig types, but since most sailboats are use a sloop rig, nearly all sailboats use the following running rigging:

• Halyards -'Halyard' is simply the nautical name for lines or ropes that are used to raise and lower the mainsail. The halyard is attached to the top of the mainsail sheet, or the gaffer, which is a top spar that attaches to the mainsail. You'll find halyards on both the mainsail and jib.
• Sheets - 'Sheet' is simply the nautical term for lines or ropes that are used to set the angle of the sail.
• Mainsheet - The line, or sheet, that is used to set the angle of the mainsail. The mainsheet is attached to the Mainsheet traveler. More on that under hardware.
• Jib Sheet - The jib mostly comes with two sheets: one on each side of the mast. This prevents you from having to loosen your sheet, throwing it around the other side of the mast, and tightening it. The jib sheets are often controlled using winches (more on that under hardware).
• Cleats are small on-deck hooks that can be used to tie down sheets and lines after trimming them.
• Reefing lines - Lines that run through the mainsail, used to put a reef in the main.
• The Boom Topping Lift is a line that is attached to the aft (back) end of the boom and runs to the top of the mast. It supports the boom whenever you take down the mainsail.
• The Boom Vang is a line that places downward tension on the boom.

There are some more tensioning lines, but I'll leave them for now. I could probably do an entire guide on the different sheets on a sailboat. Who knows, perhaps I'll write it.

This is a new segment, that I didn't mention before. It's a bit of an odd duck, so I threw all sorts of stuff into this category. But they are just as important as all the other parts. Your hardware consists of cleats, winches, traveler and so on. If you don't know what all of this means, no worries: neither did I. Below, you'll find a complete overview of the different parts.

Deck Hardware

Just a brief mention of the different deck hardware parts:

• Pulpits are fenced platforms on the sailboat's stern and bow, which is why they are called the bow pulpit and stern pulpit here. They typically have a solid steel framing for safety.
• Stanchons are the standing poles supporting the lifeline , which combined for a sort of fencing around the sailboat's deck. On most sailboats, steel and steel cables are used for the stanchons and lifelines.

Mainsheet Traveler

The mainsheet traveler is a rail in the cockpit that is used to control the mainsheet. It helps to lock the mainsheet in place, fixing the mainsails angle to the wind.

If you're interested in learning more about how to use the mainsheet traveler, Matej has written a great list of tips for using your mainsheet traveler the right way . It's a good starting point for beginners.

Winches are mechanical or electronic spools that are used to easily trim lines and sheets. Most sailboats use winches to control the jib sheets. Modern large sailing yachts use electronic winches for nearly all lines. This makes it incredibly easy to trim your lines.

You'll find the compass typically in the cockpit. It's the most old-skool navigation tool out there, but I'm convinced it's also one of the most reliable. In any way, it definitely is the most solid backup navigator you can get for the money.

Want to learn how to use a compass quickly and reliably? It's easy. Just read my step-by-step beginner guide on How To Use a Compass (opens in new tab .

Chartplotter

Most sailboats nowadays use, besides a compass and a map, a chartplotter. Chartplotters are GPS devices that show a map and a course. It's very similar to your normal car navigation.

Outboard motor

Most sailboats have some sort of motor to help out when there's just the slightest breeze. These engines aren't very big or powerful, and most sailboats up to 32' use an outboard motor. You'll find these at the back of the boat.

Most sailboats carry 1 - 3 anchors: one bow anchor (the main one) and two stern anchors. The last two are optional and are mostly used by bluewater cruisers.

I hope this was helpful, and that you've gained a good understanding of the different parts involved in sailing. I wanted to write a good walk-through instead of overwhelming you with lists and lists of nautical terms. I hope I've succeeded. If so, I appreciate any comments and tips below.

I've tried to be as comprehensive as possible, without getting into the real nitty gritty. That would make for a gigantic article. However, if you feel I've left something out that really should be in here, please let me know in the comments below, so I can update the article.

I own a small 20 foot yacht called a Red witch made locally back in the 70s here in Western Australia i found your article great and enjoyed reading it i know it will be a great help for me in my future leaning to sail regards John.

David Gardner

İ think this is a good explanation of the difference between a ”rope” and a ”line”:

Rope is unemployed cordage. In other words, when it is in a coil and has not been assigned a job, it is just a rope.

On the other hand, when you prepare a rope for a specific task, it becomes employed and is a line. The line is labeled by the job it performs; for example, anchor line, dock line, fender line, etc.

Hey Mr. Buckles

I am taking on new crew to race with me on my Flying Scot (19ft dingy). I find your Sailboat Parts Explained to be clear and concise. I believe it will help my new crew learn the language that we use on the boat quickly without being overwhelmed.

PS: my grandparents were from Friesland and emigrated to America.

Thank you Shawn for the well written, clear and easy to digest introductory article. Just after reading this first article I feel excited and ready to set sails and go!! LOL!! Cheers! Daniel.

steve Balog

well done, chap

Great intro. However, the overview diagram misidentifies the cockpit location. The cockpit is located aft of the helm. Your diagram points to a location to the fore of the helm.

William Thompson-Ambrose

An excellent introduction to the basic anatomy and function of the sailboat. Anyone who wants to start sailing should consider the above article before stepping aboard! Thank-you

James Huskisson

Thanks for you efforts mate. We’ve all got to start somewhere. Thanks for sharing. Hoping to my first yacht. 25ft Holland. Would love to cross the Bass Strait one day to Tasmania. 👌 Cheers mate

Alan Alexander Percy

thankyou ijust aquired my first sailboat at 66yrs of age its down at pelican point a beautifull place in virginia usa my sailboat is a redwing 30 if you are ever in the area i wouldnt mind your guidance and superior knowledge of how to sail but iam sure your fantastic article will help my sailboat is wings 30 ft

Thanks for quick refresher course. Having sailed in California for 20+ years I now live in Spain where I have to take a spanish exam for a sailboat license. Problem is, it’s only in spanish. So a lot to learn for an old guy like me.

Very comprehensive, thank you

Your article really brought all the pieces together for me today. I have been adventuring my first sailing voyage for 2 months from the Carolinas and am now in Eleuthera waiting on weather to make the Exumas!!! Great job and thanks

Helen Ballard

I’ve at last found something of an adventure to have in sailing, so I’m starting at the basics, I have done a little sailing but need more despite being over 60 life in the old dog etc, thanks for your information 😊

Barbara Scott

I don’t have a sailboat, neither do l plan to literally take to the waters. But for mental exercise, l have decided to take to sailing in my Bermuda sloop, learning what it takes to become a good sailor and run a tight ship, even if it’s just imaginary. Thank you for helping me on my journey to countless adventures and misadventures, just to keep it out of the doldrums! (I’m a 69 year old African American female who have rediscovered why l enjoyed reading The Adventures of Robert Louis Stevenson as well as his captivating description of sea, wind, sailboat,and sailor).

Great article and very good information source for a beginner like me. But I didn’t find out what I had hoped to, which is, what are all those noisy bits of kit on top of the mast? I know the one with the arrow is a weather vane, but the rest? Many thanks, Jay.

Louis Cohen

The main halyard is attached to the head of the mainsail, not the to the mainsheet. In the USA, we say gaff, not gaffer. The gaff often has its own halyard separate from the main halyard.

Other than that it’s a nice article with good diagrams.

A Girl Who Has an Open Sail Dream

Wow! That was a lot of great detail! Thank you, this is going to help me a lot on my project!

Hi, good info, do u know a book that explains all the systems on a candc 27,

Emma Delaney

As a hobbyist, I was hesitant to invest in expensive CAD software, but CADHOBBY IntelliCAD has proven to be a cost-effective alternative that delivers the same quality and performance.

https://www.cadhobby.com/

Leave a comment

You may also like, guide to understanding sail rig types (with pictures).

There are a lot of different sail rig types and it can be difficult to remember what's what. So I've come up with a system. Let me explain it in this article.

The Ultimate Guide to Sail Types and Rigs (with Pictures)

The Illustrated Guide To Boat Hull Types (11 Examples)

How To Live On a Boat For Free: How I'd Do It

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A Complete List Of Sailing Terms

Sailing terminology and jargon can be difficult to understand for a complete beginner.

We've compiled a list of sailing terms, vocabulary, lingo, and phrases with their meanings and definitions.

Filter the sailing terms by letter:

A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z

The sailing terms beginning with the letter A are:

• Abaft : Toward the stern of a boat and behind the middle of the boat
• Abandon Ship : An instruction to leave the boat immediately. This is an emergency situation and everyone needs to get off the boat
• Abeam : On a line at right angles to a ship's or an aircraft's length
• Able Seaman : A crew member with experience and expertise in working on deck and handling the sailboat's rigging and equipment
• Aboard : This is a nautical term to describe being on or in a boat
• Above Board : This means anything on or above the boat deck
• Adrift : Not anchored or not securely moored, drifting with the current or wind
• Aft : The aft is the area at the back of the boat. It is also known as the stern
• Aft cabin : This is a sleeping cabin at the aft side (rear) of the boat
• Aftmost : Furthest towards the stern (back) of the boat
• Aground : When the boat is resting on or touching the ground below the bottom of the water
• A-hull : A-hull refers to a situation where a boat is secured to its anchor and is lying in the direction of the wind and waves, with all sails furled and no movement. This is typically done as a safety measure in severe weather conditions when the boat is in danger of capsizing or otherwise being damaged. It is also used as a strategy to wait out a storm or other adverse weather
• Alee : Away from the wind
• All Hands On Deck : This phrase is used to call all crew members to the deck of a sailing vessel, and is often used as a call to action in times of emergency. It is also considered a good omen for a ship to have all hands on deck before setting sail.
• Aloft : Above the deck or in the upper parts of the mast or rigging
• Anchor : A device used to hold or anchor a boat in a specific location on the water
• Anchor Buoy : A buoy attached to an anchor that is used to indicate the location of the anchor on the bottom
• Apeak : When the anchor is at the highest point of the bow when it is rode out
• Apparent Wind : The wind direction and speed observed by the crew in combination with the true wind direction and speed, which can be different due to the boat's motion
• Ashore : To or on the shore or land from the direction of the sea
• Astern : Behind or at the rear of a boat. If a boat is traveling astern, it is going in reverse
• Athwartship : Having a position across a vessel from side to side at right angles to the keel

The sailing terms beginning with the letter B are:

• B & R Rigging : B&R rigging refers to a specific type of rigging system used on sailing boats. The B&R rigging system is a combination of a traditional forestay and backstay system, with a flexible rig that allows for a more efficient sail shape in a wide range of wind conditions
• Back A Sail : Back a sail refers to the action of filling a sail with wind from the opposite direction, or "backwards" direction of the sailboat's forward motion. This is done by adjusting the sail and the direction of the boat so that the wind is blowing into the back of the sail, causing the sail to fill with wind and push the boat in the opposite direction. Backing a sail can be used to slow the boat down, change direction, or to help keep the boat in a specific location
• Backstay : A rope or cable that runs from the mast to the stern of a sailboat. It is used to support the mast and control the shape of the sails
• Baggywrinkle : A soft covering for cables to reduce sail chafe
• Ballast : Ballast refers to the weight placed on the bottom of a sailboat to improve its stability and balance. The weight of the ballast helps to counteract the force of the wind on the sails
• Ballast Keel : A vertical downward extension of the boat's hull, narrowly V-shaped. It is ballasted or weighted for stability and lateral resistance
• Barque : This is a sailboat with 3 or more masts with all the masts being square-rigged except the sternmost, which is fore-and-aft-rigged
• Batten : A batten is a primary structure of a mainsail. It supports the sail's shape
• Beam : The width of the boat, measured at its widest point
• Beam Reach : A point of sail in which the wind is coming from the side of the boat, resulting in the sails being at a 90-degree angle to the centerline of the boat
• Bear Away : Bear away, also known as falling off, means to turn a boat away from the direction of the wind
• Beat : This is sailing in a zig-zag formation toward the wind
• Beaufort Scale : A scale used to measure wind speed and the resulting sea conditions. It is named after Francis Beaufort, an officer in the Royal Navy
• Below Deck : Below deck in boating refers to the interior of a boat, typically the area below the main deck. This area is usually enclosed and protected from the elements, and typically includes living spaces such as cabins, heads (bathrooms), galley (kitchen), and salon (common area).
• Bermuda Rig : A Bermuda rig, also known as a Marconi rig, is a type of sailboat rigging that is characterized by a triangular mainsail and a jib sail. The mainsail is attached to the mast and the boom, with the boom extending out from the mast. The jib sail is attached to the forestay, which is a cable or rope that runs from the bow of the boat to the mast
• Bermuda Sloop : Bermuda sloop is a specific type of sailboat design that originated in Bermuda. It is characterized by a single mast, with a triangular mainsail and a jib sail, and it is the most popular sailboat design in the world. Bermuda sloops are known for their efficiency and ability to sail well in a wide range of wind conditions.
• Berth : A bed or sleeping area on a boat. For example, a 6-berth boat is a boat that can sleep 6 people
• Bight : A bend in a sailing rope
• Bimini Top : A Bimini top is a type of boat cover or canopy that is mounted on the top of a sailboat, typically on the stern or the cockpit area. The Bimini top provides shade and protection from the sun and rain for the passengers and crew on the boat
• Bilge : The lowest part of a boat's interior, typically located near the keel, where water collects and needs to be pumped out
• Binnacle : A binnacle is a housing or container on a boat that is used to protect and secure a vessel's compass. It is typically located near the helm or steering station
• Bon Voyage : This is a French phrase that literally means "good voyage" and is often used as a way to say "good luck" to someone setting out on a journey
• Boom : A boom on a sailboat is a horizontal spar, or pole, that extends out from the mast of a sailboat. The boom is used to support and control the bottom edge, or foot, of a sail. The boom also helps to shape the sail and control the angle at which the wind hits it, allowing the boat to move efficiently through the water
• Bosun : A crew member in charge of maintenance and upkeep of the boat's hull, rigging, and equipment.
• Bow : The bow is the front area of a boat
• Bridge : A room or platform area of a boat from which the boat can be operated
• Brig : A sailing vessel with two square-rigged masts
• Brigantine : A two-masted sailboat, square-rigged on the foremast but fore-and-aft-rigged on the mainmast
• Bulkhead : A bulkhead refers to a vertical wall within the interior of a boat that helps to divide the space and provide structural support. They are typically found below deck on a sailboat
• Bumper : A type of fender used to protect a boat from damage when it is moored or docked.
• Buoy : It is a device or object that is placed in the sea to aid navigation. For racing, it's used to set the race course and for recreational sailing, it is used to mark areas to avoid (among a few other purposes)

The sailing terms beginning with the letter C are:

• Cabin : This is a room inside a boat, typically found below the deck
• Canvas : A boat canvas refers to the various types of fabric or material used on boats to provide protection, shade, and shelter. Types of canvas include Bimini top, sail cover, dodger, etc.
• Capsize : When a boat heels over so far that the keel is lifted out of the water and the boat overturns
• Captain : The person in command of the sailboat. They are responsible for operating the boat safely
• Catamaran : Any vessel with two hulls
• Center-board : A board lowered through a slot in the keel to reduce leeway
• Chart Plotter : An electronic navigation device that plots the location and position of a sailboat on the water
• Cleat : A cleat is a device used on boats to secure ropes or lines. It typically consists of two horizontal arms with holes or slots that can be tightened around a rope by pulling on the line and then making a turn or two around the arms. Cleats are used to secure lines when docking, mooring, or anchoring a boat, and can be found on the deck, gunwale, or cockpit of a boat
• Clew : A clew is the lower aft corner of a sail
• Clipper : A sailboat designed for speed
• Cockpit : An enclosed space on a sailboat's deck where a sailboat is controlled or steered
• Cook : A crew member responsible for preparing and cooking meals for the crew
• Course : This is the direction in which a boat is traveling
• Close-Hauled : A point of sail where the boat is sailing as close to the wind as possible

The sailing terms beginning with the letter D are:

• Dead Reckoning : a method of navigation that involves calculating a ship's position by using information about its speed and direction over a certain period of time
• Deadrise : The angle between the bottom of a boat and the horizontal plane of the water
• Deck : The horizontal surface area on the top of the boat
• Deckhand : A member of the crew responsible for various tasks such as hoisting sails, steering the ship, and maintaining the deck
• Dock : A fixed structure attached to the shore to which a vessel is secured when in port
• Downbound : This is when a vessel is traveling downstream
• Draft : The depth of water a boat requires to float measured from the waterline to the lowest point of the hull
• Drift : The sideways movement of a boat caused by wind or current
• Drogue : A device that is towed behind a boat to slow it down or to keep it from drifting too quickly
• Drowned Out : When the wind is too strong for the sails and the boat can no longer make headway

The sailing terms beginning with the letter E are:

• Ease : To let out or slacken a line or sail
• Emergency Tiller : A backup steering system for a boat, typically used when the regular steering system fails
• Engineer : A crew member responsible for the maintenance and operation of the sailboat's engines and mechanical systems
• Entering A Port : This refers to the process of navigating a boat into a harbor or marina
• External Lead : This refers to the navigation method of determining the position of a boat by measuring the angle between two visible objects on shore or on buoys, using a lead line
• Eye Of The Wind : The direction from which the wind is blowing
• Eye-Splice : A way of creating a permanent loop in the end of a sailing rope

The sailing terms beginning with the letter F are:

• Fair Winds And Following Seas : This phrase is often used as a wish for good luck and smooth sailing
• Fairlead : A fitting through which ropes are led in order to change their direction or reduce friction
• Fathom : A unit of measurement for depth, equal to six feet
• Fender : A device placed between a boat and a dock or another boat to protect the boat from damage
• First Mate : The officer in charge of the deck crew, responsible for navigation and safety
• Foresail : A sail located at the front of a sailboat, also called jib
• Freeboard : The distance from the waterline to the deck of a boat
• Frigate : A type of ship, typically used for naval warfare or as a command ship for a fleet
• Furl : To roll or wrap a sail around a boom or mast in order to take it down
• Fetch : The distance over which a wind has blown without significant obstacle
• Front : The boundary between two different air masses, often associated with changes in temperature and precipitation

The sailing terms beginning with the letter G are:

• Gaff : A spar used to extend the upper edge of a fore-and-aft sail
• Gale : A strong wind with a speed of between 34-47 knots
• Geared Winch : A mechanical winch that is powered by gears and used to raise or lower a sail
• Genoa : A type of jib sail that is larger than a standard jib
• Give-Way Vessel : A vessel required to take action to avoid a collision with another vessel as per the international regulations for preventing collisions at sea (COLREGS)
• Godspeed : This phrase is used to wish someone a safe and successful journey
• Gunwale : The upper edge of the side of a boat
• Gybe : A maneuver in which a boat changes direction by turning its stern through the wind and causing the sail to change sides
• Gyroscopic Compass : A type of compass that uses a spinning wheel to provide stable and accurate heading information

The sailing terms beginning with the letter H are:

• Heading : The direction in which a boat is pointed, usually measured in degrees from true or magnetic north
• Heading Up : This refers to turning the bow of a sailboat towards the wind
• Heavy Weather : Severe weather conditions such as high winds, heavy seas, and storms
• Halyard : A rope or line used to hoist or lower a sail or flag. There is likely 1 halyard for each sail
• Hard Alee : An order to turn the bow of the boat as far as possible in the opposite direction of the wind
• Hatch : An opening in the deck of a boat, used for access to the interior or for ventilation
• Headstay : The cable or rod that supports the forestay, and holds the mast in the forward direction
• Helm : The helm of a sailboat is the steering mechanism of the boat, typically located at the back or the stern of the boat, and is used to control the direction of the boat. The helm is typically a wheel or tiller
• Helmsman : The person who steers the boat
• Helmsman's Seat : A seat located close to the helm, used by the helmsman to steer the boat
• Hiking : When a crew member moves out on the rail of the boat to counteract the heeling force of the wind and keep the boat level
• Hiking Strap : A strap used by a crew member to hold on to while hiking out on the rail of the boat
• Hurricane : A severe tropical storm with winds of 74 mph (119 km/h) or greater

The sailing terms beginning with the letter I are:

• International Regulations for Preventing Collisions At Sea (COLREGS) : A set of rules that govern the behavior of vessels on the water in order to prevent collisions
• Inboard : A motor or engine that is located inside the boat, as opposed to an outboard motor which is mounted outside the boat
• In Irons : A situation when a sailing vessel is stopped or hindered in its progression through the water because the wind is blowing directly onto the sail, preventing the vessel from moving forward
• Inhaul : A line or rope used to adjust the position of a sail
• Inshore : Close to the shore
• Inner Forestay : A rope or cable that supports the mast and holds the jib or genoa sail in place
• Iron Mike : This is a slang term for a sailboat's autopilot
• Irons : When a boat is stopped or hindered in its progression through the water because the wind is blowing directly onto the sail, preventing the vessel from moving forward
• Islands : Natural land formations that are surrounded by water

The sailing terms beginning with the letter J are:

• Jib : A triangular sail located at the front of a sailboat, also known as a foresail
• Jibe : A maneuver in which a boat changes direction by turning its stern through the wind and causing the sail to change sides
• Jib Sheet : A line used to control the angle of the jib sail
• Jumper Stay : An additional stay that supports the mast and is used to tension the headstay
• Jib Tack : The lower forward corner of a jib sail
• Jibing : Turning the boat so that the wind blows on the opposite side of the sail
• Jib Hanks : metal or plastic clips that hold the jib sail to the forestay
• Jib Furling : A system for rolling up a jib sail and securing it to the forestay when not in use

The sailing terms beginning with the letter K are:

• Keel : A long, heavy structural member that runs along the bottom of a boat's hull, providing stability and helping to keep the boat upright
• Knot : A unit of speed, equal to one nautical mile per hour
• Kedge : A small anchor used to hold a boat in a particular position or to move a boat by hauling it on a line
• King Plank : The centerline plank in the bottom of a boat that runs parallel to the keel
• Knees : Strong brackets that are used to support the deck and reinforce the hull-to-deck joint of a boat
• Knockdown : When a boat is hit by a large wave and it's knocked down on its side, causing water to flood the deck
• Kedge Anchor : a small anchor used as a temporary anchor to hold a boat in a particular position

The sailing terms beginning with the letter L are:

• Lazy Jacks : Lines or webbing that are used to guide the mainsail as it is lowered, making it easier to handle
• Leach : The back edge of a sail
• Lead Line : A line with a weight (lead) on the end, used to determine the depth of water beneath a boat
• Leeward : The direction away from the wind
• Luff : The leading edge of a sail, or the flapping or fluttering of a sail caused by wind coming from the wrong angle
• Luffing : When a sail is flapping or fluttering caused by wind coming from the wrong angle
• Lying Ahull : When a boat is allowed to drift without any sail set, used in heavy weather to prevent capsizing
• Life Jacket : A device worn by people on boats to keep them afloat in case of emergency, also known as a personal flotation device (PFD)
• Lifeline : A safety line that runs around the perimeter of a boat, used to prevent crew members from falling overboard
• Log : A device used to measure the speed of a boat through the water
• Long keel : A type of keel that extends the full length of the boat's hull, providing stability and helping to keep the boat upright

The sailing terms beginning with the letter M are:

• Mainsail : The largest sail on a sailboat, located at the back of the boat and controlled by the main sheet
• Main Sheet : A line used to control the angle of the mainsail
• Mast : The tall vertical spar that supports the sails of a boat
• Moor : To tie or anchor a boat in a specific location
• Mooring : A location where a boat can be tied or anchored
• Motor Sailor : A boat with both a sail and an engine propulsion
• Mainsail Halyard : A rope or line used to hoist the mainsail
• Mark : A buoy or other object used as a reference point for navigation
• Mariner's Compass : A type of compass that is used on boats and ships, typically featuring a magnetized needle that points towards magnetic north.
• Man Overboard (MOB) : A situation in which someone falls off a boat and into the water

The sailing terms beginning with the letter N are:

• Nautical Mile : A unit of measuring distance at sea that is used in navigation, equal to 1.85 kilometers
• Navigation Lights : lights required by international regulations to be displayed on boats in order to indicate the boat's position and direction of travel at night
• Navigation : The process of planning, tracking, and controlling the movement of a boat or ship
• Navigator : The officer responsible for charting the sailboat's course, using navigation instruments and maps
• Navigational Aids : Any device or system that helps a boat or ship navigate, such as buoys, lighthouses, and radar.
• Nautical Chart : A map specifically designed for navigation on the water, showing water depths, coastlines, navigational hazards, and other important information
• Natural Navigation : the traditional method of navigation using natural cues such as the stars, sun, moon, and the movement of ocean currents and waves
• Navigation Rules : A set of regulations that govern the movement of boats and ships in order to prevent collisions
• Navigation Software : Computer programs that assist in navigation by providing information such as navigation chart, water depth, weather forecasts and routes
• Navigation Lights : Lights that are required by international regulations to be displayed on boats and ships in order to indicate the vessel's position and direction of travel at night
• Navigational Sextant : An instrument used for measuring the angle between two visible objects, typically the horizon and a celestial body, used for navigation and determining a vessel's position at sea

The sailing terms beginning with the letter O are:

• Outboard : Also called outboard motor, an outboard refers to a motor or engine that is mounted outside the boat, as opposed to an inboard motor which is located inside the boat.
• Overboard : When something falls or is thrown off the boat into the water
• Offshore : Away from the shore
• Off The Wind : Sailing with the wind blowing from behind the boat.
• Outhaul : A line or rope used to adjust the position of a sail.
• Outrigger : An extension or framework that is attached to the side of a boat to increase stability.
• Overfall : A type of wave that forms when the wind and current are opposing, leading to steep, breaking waves.
• Overhead : The highest point in a boat, typically the top of the cabin or the coach roof
• Owner's Cabin : A room in a boat that is reserved for the owner, usually the largest and most comfortable cabin

The sailing terms beginning with the letter P are:

• Paddle : A tool used for propelling a boat through the water, typically consisting of a long shaft with a flat blade on one end
• Piling : A vertical structural member driven into the bottom of a body of water to support a dock or pier
• Porthole : A small window in the hull of a boat that provides light and ventilation to the interior
• Personal Flotation Device (PFD) : A device worn by people on boats to keep them afloat in case of emergency, also known as a life jacket
• Port : The left side of a boat when facing the bow (front)
• Pitch : The up-and-down movement of a boat caused by waves
• Planking : The process of covering a boat's hull with thin wooden planks
• Planking Seam : The joint between two adjacent planks on a boat's hull
• Point Of Sail : This is the direction you are going relative to the direction from where the wind is coming
• Propeller : A device that is attached to the bottom of a boat's hull, used to propel the boat through the water

The sailing terms beginning with the letter Q are:

• Quartering Sea : Waves that are coming from the side of a boat at a 45-degree angle
• Quarterdeck : The area of a sailboat located at the aft (rear) of the main deck, traditionally reserved for the ship's officers on larger boats
• Quartermaster : A crew member responsible for steering the sailboat, and also sometimes responsible for navigation. They are most commonly found on large sailboats and ships
• Quay : A man-made structure built alongside a body of water to provide a place for boats to tie up and load or unload cargo
• Quicksilver : An older term for Mercury, it was used to refer to a liquid in a barometer or thermometer
• Quartering : When a boat is sailing at an angle to the wind, with the wind blowing from the side
• Quartering Wind : A wind that is blowing on the side of the boat
• Quilting : A technique used to make a piece of clothing or sail that involves stitching together multiple layers of material
• Quoins : Blocks of wood or metal used to adjust the tension on a sail
• Quick Release : a device that allows you to quickly release a rope or line under load

The sailing terms beginning with the letter R are:

• Rudder : A flat underwater structure located at the stern of a boat. It is used to steer the boat
• Reef : To reduce the size of a sail by rolling or folding a portion of it and fastening it in place to reduce the sail's wind-catching surface
• Rope : a strong cord made of natural or synthetic fibers, used for a variety of purposes on a boat, including hoisting sails, tying up to a dock, and securing gear
• Running Lights : Lights that are required by international regulations to be displayed on boats and ships in order to indicate the vessel's position and direction of travel at night
• Rigging : The ropes, cables, and chains that are used to support the mast and control the sails of a boat
• Rode : The anchor line and chain used to secure a boat to the sea floor
• Rocker : The curvature of a boat's bottom from the centerline to the keel
• Roller Furling : A system for rolling up a sail and securing it to the mast or boom when not in use
• Roller Reefing : A method of reefing a sail in which the sail is rolled around a foil on the mast or boom
• Right Of Way : The responsibility of a vessel to give way to other vessels as per the international regulations for preventing collisions at sea (COLREGS)

The sailing terms beginning with the letter S are:

• Safe Harbor : A safe harbor is considered a symbol of good luck for sailors
• Sheet : A rope used to control the position of a sail
• Shroud : A rope or cable that runs from the mast to the side of the boat to provide support for the mast
• Starboard : The right side of the boat when facing forward
• Stern : The rear end of the boat
• Starboard Tack : Sailing with the wind coming from the right side of the boat
• Steward/Stewardess : A crew member responsible for the provisioning, cleaning, and maintenance of the sailboat's interior
• Spinnaker : A large, triangular sail used when sailing downwind
• Sail : A sheet of fabric that is attached to a mast and used to propel a boat through the wind
• Skipper : The person in charge of a sailboat
• Spar : A wooden or metal pole that supports a sail
• Shackle : A U-shaped metal fastener with a pin that is used to connect ropes or cables to the boat
• Scull : A method of steering a boat by using a oar or paddle at the stern of the boat
• Shrouds : A set of ropes or cables that run from the top of the mast to the sides of the boat to provide support for the mast
• Scuttlebutt : A nautical term for gossip or rumors
• Sea Room : The amount of space around a boat that is necessary to safely navigate
• Sea State : The condition of the surface of a body of water, often used to describe the roughness of the water during bad weather
• Sextant : An instrument used for navigation at sea, used to measure the angle between two visible objects, typically the horizon and a celestial object, in order to determine the ship's position
• Spinnaker : A spinnaker is a sail designed specifically for sailing off the wind on courses between a reach (wind at 90° to the course) to downwind (course in the same direction as the wind)
• Storm Sail : A sail that is designed for use in heavy weather
• Steering Compass : A compass mounted on or near the helm of a boat that is used to help the helmsman steer the boat
• Shipshape : A term used to describe a boat that is well-maintained and in good condition
• Squall : A sudden, strong wind often accompanied by rain or snow
• Swell : Large ocean waves that are caused by distant storms or winds

The sailing terms beginning with the letter T are:

• Tack : The direction in which a sailboat is moving
• Topsail : A sail set above the main sail on a ship's mast
• Tiller : A handle or lever used to steer a boat
• Trim : The adjustment of a sail's angle to the wind to optimize the boat's speed and direction
• Tacking : The act of turning a sailboat into the wind in order to change direction
• Tender : A small boat used to transport people or goods to and from a larger boat
• Tumblehome : The inward slope of a sailboat's sides above the waterline
• Topsides : The upper side of a ship's hull above the waterline
• Tugboat : A powerful boat used to tow or move other boats or ships
• Thwart : A seat that runs across a boat, typically used in a canoe or rowboat
• Tarpaulin : A heavy-duty waterproof sheet used to cover and protect equipment on a boat
• Telltale : A small flag or ribbon used to indicate the direction of the wind
• Topsheets : The sheets that control the uppermost sails of a square-rigged vessel
• Towing : The act of pulling a boat or ship behind another using a line or cable
• Toe Rail : A narrow rail along the edge of the deck used to prevent water from running onto the deck
• Trough : An elongated area of low pressure often associated with stormy weather
• Thunder Squall : A sudden, severe thunderstorm with high winds and heavy precipitation

The sailing terms beginning with the letter U are:

• Underway : Describes a boat that is not anchored or aground
• Upwind : Sailing towards the direction from which the wind is blowing
• Unfurl : To release and extend a sail from a furled position
• Uphaul : A rope or line used to raise a sail
• Underwater Gear : Equipment or gear used for activities under the water surface, such as diving gear or fishing gear
• Upstream : Against the direction of a current or flow
• Underbody : The bottom of a boat or ship's hull
• Underwater Lights : Lights used to illuminate the underwater area around a boat
• Underwater Soundings : Measurements taken to determine the depth of water beneath a boat
• Unstep : To remove a mast from a boat
• Unbend : To remove a sail from a boat or to remove a rope from a cleat or winch
• Unmoor : To release a boat from its moorings

The sailing terms beginning with the letter V are:

• Veer : To change the direction of the wind
• VHF Radio : A radio used for communication on boats and ships, operating on very high frequency
• Vang : A rope or lever used to control the angle of a sail
• Ventilator : A device used to allow air to flow into a boat
• Vane : A device used to determine wind direction
• Velocity : The speed at which a boat or ship is moving
• Valve : A device used to control the flow of fluids or gases
• VHF Antenna : A type of antenna that is used for VHF radios
• Velocimeter : An instrument used to measure the speed of a boat through the water.
• Visibility : The maximum distance at which an object can be seen
• Vent : A hole or opening on the sailboat that allows air or gases to escape

The sailing terms beginning with the letter W are:

• Wake : The trail of water left behind a sailboat as it moves
• Waterline : The line where the water meets the side of a boat or ship
• Windward : The direction from which the wind is blowing
• Watertight : Describes a boat that is designed to prevent water from entering
• Wharf : A platform or dock used for loading and unloading boats and ships
• Warps : Ropes or lines used to secure a boat or ship to a dock or buoy
• Windlass : A mechanical device used to raise or lower an anchor
• Watertight Bulkhead : A partition that is designed to prevent water from penetrating the interior of a boat or ship
• Watertight Door : A door that is designed to prevent water from penetrating the interior of a boat
• Whipping : A method of securing the end of a rope to prevent fraying
• Watertight Hatch : A hatch that is designed to prevent water from penetrating the interior of a boat or ship
• Waterspout : A type of tornado that forms over water
• Wench : A mechanical device used for hauling or lifting heavy loads on a boat

The sailing terms beginning with the letter X are:

• X-Yachts : A brand of luxury performance sailing yachts
• X-Bow : A type of bow design that features a sharp, vertical bow that is designed to reduce slamming in heavy seas

The sailing terms beginning with the letter Y are:

• Yard : A spar that extends horizontally from the mast of a sailboat, used to support and shape the sails
• Yaw : When a boat deviates from its course, typically caused by wind, waves, or steering issues

The sailing terms beginning with the letter Z are:

• Zephyr : A light breeze often used to refer to a gentle wind in sailing terms
• Zigzag : A course that changes direction frequently, often used to avoid obstacles or to make progress in difficult wind conditions
• Zone of Confidence : The area around a sailboat where the skipper is confident of his/her ability to handle the sailing vessel safely

Frequently Asked Questions About Sailing Terminology

Below are the most commonly asked questions about sailing terminology.

What Are The Most Popular Sailing Terms?

The most popular sailing terms are bow, port, stern, starboard, helm, keel, rigging, rudder, sails, deck, below deck, above deck, inboard, outboard, jib, anchor, skipper, aft, captain, rope, berths, knot, tack, mast, boom, mainsail, heading, furling, visibility, buoy, batten, main sheet, dock, offshore, inshore, nautical mile, man overboard, personal flotation device, reef, life jackets, hull and mooring.

What Are The Least Popular Sailing Terms?

The least popular sailing terms are iron mike, irons, toe rail, zephyr, scuttlebutt, rocker, luffing, shipshape, sea room, zigzag, quartering sea, beat, piling, and quilting.

What Are Sailing Terms For Wind?

Sailing terms for wind are windward, leeward, close-hauled, beam reach, running, tacking, jibing, true wind, apparent wind, fetch, and beaufort scale.

What Are Sailing Terms For Good Luck?

Sailing terms for good luck are bon voyage, all hands on deck, fair winds and following seas, godspeed and safe harbor.

What Are Sailing Terms For The Crew?

Sailing terms that pertain to the crew include captain, first mate, navigator, bosun, deckhand, quartermaster, able seamen, steward/stewardess, engineer and cook.

What Are Sailing Terms For Sails?

Sailing terms for sails are mainsail, jib, genoa, spinnaker, boom, halyard, sheet, clew, tack, reef, leach, and luff.

What Are Sailing Terms For Bad Weather & Storms?

Sailing terms for bad weather and storms are squall, gale, storm, hurricane, trough, front, sea state, swell, thunder squall and fetch.

What Are Sailing Terms For Beginners?

Sailing terms for beginners are hull, mast, sail, boom, rudder, keel, anchor, port, starboard, bow, captain, skipper, stern, deck, cabin, cleat and tack.

What Are Sailing Terms For Parts Of The Sailboat?

Sailing terms for parts of the sailboat are hull, mast, boom, rigging, standing rigging, running rigging, bow, stern, deck, cabin, bow pulpit, stern pulpit, gunwale, keel, rudder, tiller, winch, cleat, chocks and chain plates.

Learn the Parts of a Sailboat and How to Communicate Them

Essential Words You Need to Know

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The following are terms related to sailboats and their equipment , including the parts of the boat and how to communicate on one. Enjoy our list of all things nautical.

• Auxiliary - A sailboat's engine, or a sailboat with an engine
• Backstay - The cable, usually made of wire, running from the stern to the masthead that helps support the mast
• Ballast - The weight in a sailboat's keel (sometimes in a centerboard) that helps keep the boat from leaning too much
• Batten - A slat, typically made of plastic, placed in a pocket in the mainsail to help it maintain good shape
• Beam - The width of the boat at its widest point
• Bitter end - The free end of a line
• Block - A pulley-like device used on a boat, with a sheave around which a line runs
• Boom - The spar, which is usually horizontal, back from the mast to which the foot of a sail is attached
• Boom vang - A device that prevents the boom from rising and, in some types, lowering
• Bow - The front section of the boat
• Cat rig - A sailboat designed for using a mainsail only, with the mast usually located more forward than in a sloop
• Centerboard - A thin, keel-like structure that can be raised (usually rotated on a hinge up into a centerboard trunk in the hull) that's present on many sailboats without a fixed keel to prevent the boat from being blown sideways
• Chock - A type of fairlead fitting through which an anchor rode or dock line passes to reduce chafing
• Cleat - A fitting around which a line is secured
• Companionway - The entrance area and steps from the cockpit into a sailboat's cabin
• Clew - The lower rear corner of a sail
• Daggerboard - Like a centerboard, but raised and lowered vertically instead of rotating on a hinge
• Daysailer - Generally a small sailboat without a cabin large enough for comfortable overnight cruising
• Dinghy - A type of small sailboat or a small row or powered craft typically taken along when cruising in a larger sailboat
• Displacement - The weight of a boat, equal to the weight of water the boat displaces
• Dodger - A spray shield often made of foldable or removable fabric at the front of the cockpit
• Draft - The distance from a boat's waterline to the lowest part of its keel
• Fender - A bumper generally made of rubber hung alongside the boat to prevent the hull from rubbing against a dock or other structure
• Foot - The bottom edge of a sail (compare to leach and luff, below)
• Forestay - A cable usually made of wire running from the bow to the masthead that helps support the mast
• Forward - Toward the bow
• Freeboard - The height of the deck above the water (the topsides section of the hull)
• Gate - An opening in the lifelines for boarding the boat, also called gangway
• Genoa - A large jib sail (the clew extends aft of the mast)
• Gooseneck - The fitting that attaches the boom to the mast
• Ground tackle - The collective term for a boat's anchor and anchor rode
• Gunwale (sometimes gunnel) - The outer edge of the boat's deck and cockpit, also called the rail
• Halyard - Line or wire used to hoist a sail
• Hank on - To attach a jib sail to the forestay with small snap hooks called hanks
• Head - The bathroom of a boat and also the top corner of a sail
• Helm - The means by which the sailboat is steered: the tiller or wheel
• Jackline - A line, strap, or wire secured over the deck as an attachment point for the tether of a safety harness
• Jib - The triangular sail attached to the forestay
• Keel - The lower section of a sailboat's hull that's usually permanent and counteracts sideways movement and typically contains ballast
• Ketch - A type of sailboat with two masts
• Lanyard - A short cord or line, often used to secure a piece of gear (knife, whistle, etc.) that might be dropped
• Leech - The back edge of a jib or mainsail (compare to foot and luff, above and below)
• Lifeline - A line or wire (often vinyl coated) all around the boat that's held up with stanchions to prevent falling overboard
• Line - Any piece of rope used on a boat
• Luff - The leading edge of a jib or mainsail (compare to foot and leech, above)
• Mainmast - The mast, or the tallest mast of a sailboat with multiple masts
• Mainsail - The sail affixed to and behind the mainmast
• Mast - A tall vertical pole on a sailboat to support sails and rigging
• Mast step - The support structure for the bottom of the mast
• Mizzen - The smaller aft mast on a ketch or yawl; the mizzensail is affixed to and behind the mizzenmast
• Multihull - A catamaran (two hulls) or trimaran (three hulls)
• Outhaul - A fitting to adjust the tension of the foot of the mainsail on the boom
• Padeye - A fitting usually made of metal with a loop or hoop to which other gear is attached
• Pendant (sometimes pennant) - A short line attaching the bow of a boat to a mooring, or a short wire attached to a sail or halyard as an extension
• PFD - A personal flotation device such as a lifejacket or an inflatable PFD
• Port - The left side of the boat when facing forward; the opposite of starboard
• Preventer - A-Line or other device used to prevent the boom from accidentally swinging from one side to the other
• Pulpit - A rail generally made of stainless steel around the bow or stern typically at the height of the lifelines
• Rail - the outer edge of the boat's deck and cockpit; also called the gunwale
• Rig (or rigging) - The mast, boom, and associated equipment including stays, shrouds, sheets, and halyards
• Rode - The line or chain between an anchor and the boat
• Roller furler - A device by which a sail is rolled up, such as the jib rolling around a rotating forestay fitting
• Rudder - An appendage below or on the boat's stern that is rotated by moving the tiller or wheel to steer the boat
• Safety harness - Personal gear, either a separate harness or one built into a PFD, that attaches to a tether to keep the person on board
• Sail ties - Short straps or pieces of line used to tie a lowered mainsail to the boom or secure a sail on deck
• Schooner - A type of sailboat with two or more masts, the forward one being shorter than the main mast
• Seacock - A valve fitting for closing an opening through the boat's hull (drains, water pipes, etc.)
• Shackle - A fitting typically made of metal that secures two things together, such as a halyard shackle connecting to a sail
• Sheet - The line used to let out or trim in a sail; on a sloop, a mainsheet and two jib sheets
• Shroud - Wire or line stay from the deck or hull supporting the mast on each side
• Sloop - A type of sailboat with one mast and two triangular sails (main and jib)
• Sole - The floor of the cockpit or cabin
• Spinnaker - A lightweight sail used downwind, often ballooning in front of the boat
• Spreaders - Metal struts on the mast that hold the shrouds out from the mast for a better support angle
• Stanchions - Short metal poles around the boat's perimeter that support the lifelines
• Starboard - The right side of the boat (when facing forward); opposite of port
• Stay - Wire or line from the deck or hull to support the mast; stays include the forestay, backstay, and shrouds (on the sides)
• Tack - The bottom front corner of a sail
• Telltales - Pieces of yarn or ribbons on the luff of a sail to help with trimming, or fastened to shrouds to show the wind direction
• Tether - A short line or strap that runs between a safety harness and a point of attachment on the boat to prevent going overboard
• Tiller - A long handle connected to the rudder or rudder post on many sailboats for steering
• Topping lift - A wire or line from the masthead that holds up the boom when the sail is lowered
• Topsides - The area of outer hull above the waterline
• Traveler - A fitting allowing the mainsheet attachment to the boat to be adjusted side to side
• Vang - See Boom vang
• Whisker pole - A pole used to hold out the jib when sailing off the wind
• Winch - A drum-like device used to pull in lines under strain (halyards, sheets)
• Windless - A heavy winch used with the anchor rode
• Yawl - A type of sailboat with two masts, the aft one (mizzen) being behind the rudder post

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• Cambridge Dictionary +Plus

Meaning of sailboat in English

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• cabin cruiser
• dragon boat
• rubber dinghy

sailboat | American Dictionary

Examples of sailboat, translations of sailboat.

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Word of the Day

something that you do, or a thing that you give someone, that expresses your feelings or intentions, although it might have little practical effect

Renowned and celebrated (Words meaning ‘famous’)

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• Paddle Board

A to Z of Nautical Terms: A Complete Glossary of Boat Terminology

Are you a new boat owner? Whether you bought a jet ski or a 40-foot cabin cruiser, you’re going to need to understand the lingo while you’re out on the water. Here’s a glossary of basic nautical terms to have you sounding like a sailor.

Toward the stern of the vessel.

A sail position with the wind striking on its leeward side.

Around or near the stern of the vessel.

At a right-angle to the boat’s center-line.

Lashing the helm to the leeward side to ride out bad weather without the sails set.

The center of the deck of the vessel between the fore-and-aft.

Automatic Identification System.

Apparent Wind

The speed and direction of the wind combined with the boat’s movement and the true wind speed and direction.

To look behind the boat while driving in reverse.

Automatic Radar Plotting Aid.

Athwartships

At a right-angle to the aft-and-fore line of the vessel.

The act of measuring the angular distance on the horizon circle in a clockwise method, typically between a heavenly body and an observer.

When the wind starts to shift in an anti-clockwise direction.

Back a sail

Sheeting the sail to the windward direction, so the wind fills the sail on the leeward side.

The stay supports the aft from the mast, preventing its forward movement.

Baggywrinkle

The teased-out plaited rope wound around the stays or shrouds preventing chaffing.

Iron or lead weights are fixed in a low-access area of the vessel or on the keel to stabilize the boat.

A flexible and lightweight strip feeds into the sail leech’s batten pocket, supporting the roach.

Ballast Keel

A ballast bolted to the keel, increasing the vessel’s stability to prevent capsizing.

The widest point of the vessel or a traverse member supporting the deck. On the beam, objects are at a right-angle to the center-line.

Taking the action of steering the vessel away from the wind.

To tag a zig-zagging approach into the wind or close-hauling with alternate tacks.

The object’s direction from the observer measured in magnetic or true degrees.

To fasten the rope around the cleat using a figure-8 knot.

Securing the sail to the spar before hoisting it or connecting two ropes using a knot.

A sleeping quarters on a boat or a slip occupied by a vessel in a marina or harbor.

The loop or bend in a knot.

The round, lower part of the hull where the water collects.

The pulley fixed inside a plastic or wooden casing with a rope running around a sheave and changing to pulling direction.

Boot-Topping

The narrow-colored stripe is painted between the topside enamel and bottom paint.

The heeling action of the boat when it slews to the broadside while running downwind. Abroach usually occurs in heavy seas.

Broad Reach

The point of sailing the vessel between a run and the beam reach with the wind blowing over the quarter.

The partitioning wall in the vessel athwartship.

A measurement of distance equal to 0.1-sea mile, 185-meters, or 200-yards.

Center-Line

The center of the vessel along the aft-to-fore line.

Center-Board

A board lowers through a slot on the keel for reducing leeway.

The fitting slipping over the boom like a claw. It attaches to the main sheet after you finish reefing the sail.

Chart Datum

The reference level on the charts below which the low tide level. The sounding features below the chart datum. The datum level varies depending on country and area.

The metal, wooden, or plastic fitting used to secure ropes.

Close-Hauled

The skill of sailing close to the wind, also known as beating.

The lower, aft corner of the sail where the leech and foot meet.

Close Reach

The point where you’re sailing between the beam reach and the close-hauled or when the wind blows toward the forward of the beam.

The direction that you steer the vessel in degrees. Mariners can use true or magnetic readings or use a compass to plot the course.

Close-Winded

The act of sailing a boat close to the wind.

The rope loop at either end of the line reef points or an eye in a sail.

The difference between the direction indicated by the magnetic meridian and the compass needle, caused by carrying metal objects aboard the vessel.

Sailing with the wind blowing to the aft, in line with the center-line of the vessel.

Displacement

The displacement hull design displaces boat weight in the water and is only supported by its buoyancy.

The weight of the water displaced by the vessel is equal to the vessel’s weight.

The rope used to pull down the spar or sail.

To float the vessel with the wind or current. Or the distance covered by the boat while drifting in the current, measured in time.

The distance between the lowest point on the keel and the center-line of the vessel measured as a vertical distance.

The sea anchor thrown over the stern of a life raft or boat or to reduce drift.

Digital Selective Calling (a function on Marine radios ).

A retractable keel drawn into the vessel’s hull.

Emergency Position Indication Radio Beacon.

Estimated Position.

Estimated Time of Departure.

Estimated Time of Arrival.

The fitting adjusting the feeding line allows you to change the direction of the lead line.

The raised border on cabin tables, chart tables, preventing objects from falling off the surface.

Measurement of water depth and rope lengths.

• 1 Fathom = 6-feet = 1.83-meters.

The vessel positioning plotted by two or more positioning lines.

The vertical distance between the top of the deck and the waterline.

The closest stay running between the masthead and stemhead, hankering the mainsail.

A large-size headsail is available in various sizes, overlapping the mainsail before hoisting in fresh to light winds on all sailing points.

Two concentric rings pivot at right-angles to keep objects horizontal despite the swaying motion of the boat.

Global Navigation Satellite System.

Global Maritime Distress and Safety System.

To change tack by turning the boat into the eye of the wind.

Booming out the headsail in a windward position using the whisker pole to hold it on the opposite side of the mainsail.

The fitting anchoring the mast to the boom, allowing free movement in all directions.

This metal rail surrounds the boat’s edges, allowing easy gripping to prevent falling overboard.

Turning the stern through the wind to change from one tack to another.

The spinnaker guy controls the steadying rope for the spar through the aft-fore position of the spinnaker pole. The foreguy keeps the spinnaker pole in the forward position.

Global Positioning System.

The rope hoisting the lower sails.

Highest Astronomical Tide.

The fitting for attaching the sail’s luff to a stay.

The deck opening provides the crew with access to the berth or cabin interior.

The streamlined surround of a forestay featuring the groove allows for the sliding attachment of the luff sides of the headsail.

Head-to-Wind

When the bow of the vessel points into the direction of the wind.

The forward motion of the vessel through the water.

The toilet.

The action of backing the jib and lashing the tiller to the leeward side in rough weather conditions. The heave-to encourages the vessel to reduce headway and lie quietly.

When the vessel exaggeratedly leans to one side.

International Maritime Organization.

International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea.

International Telecommunication Union

The lines on weather maps joining places with equal atmospheric pressure.

The temporary device for replacing damaged or lost gear.

The line running from aft-to-fore on both sides of the vessel. The jackstays allow for the clipping attachment of safety harnesses to prevent being lost at sea when falling overboard.

A secondary, smaller, lightweight anchor.

A dual-masted sailboat featuring a mizzen mast that’s slightly smaller than its mainmast, with a stepped forward position of the rudder post/stock.

The center-line of the vessel features the attachment of the ballast keel, allowing for the lowering of the center-board.

Kicking Strap

The line for pulling down the boom or keeping it in the horizontal position when on a run or reach.

A short length of line attached to an important object that you don’t want to lose, such as the jet ski key. The lanyard can connect to your wrist or lifejacket.

The aft edge of the triangular sail. Both side-edges of a square sail.

Lowest Astronomical Tide.

The shore on which the wind is blowing.

The natural tendency of vessels to bear away from the direction of the wind.

Moving in a direction away from the wind. The direction in which the wind is blowing.

The vessel’s leaning to one side due to improper distribution of weight in the boat’s hull.

The leading edge of the sail. Luffing up is turning the head of the boat into the wind.

The sideways motion off course resulting from the wind blowing on one side of the hull and sails.

The instrument for measuring the distance and speed of a boat traveling through the water. It is also the act of recording the details of a voyage in a logbook.

Marinized engine

A car engine or motorbike motor adapted for use in watercraft.

Maritime and Coastguard Agency.

The keel socket locating the base of the mast.

Measured Mile

The distance marked on charts measures one nautical mile between islands at sea or onshore ranges.

The short after-mast on the yawl or ketch.

This imaginary longitudinal line circling the earth, passing through both poles, cutting at right-angles through the equator.

Mean Low Water Neaps.

Mean High Water Neaps.

Mean High Water Springs.

Mean Low Water Springs.

Maritime Mobile Service Identity.

The rope used for pulling out the sail’s foot.

Overall Length (LOA)

The extreme length of the vessel. The measurement from the aftmost point of the stern to the foremost points of the bow. This measurement excludes the self-steering gear, bowsprit, etc.

An emergency call requesting immediate assistance.

The bowline on a tender or dinghy for towing or making fast.

To gradually let out the rope.

The left-hand side of the vessel when looking forward.

Point of Sailing

The angles of the wind allowing for the sailing of the boat. Or the boat’s course relative to its direction and the direction of the wind.

Your vessel is on its port track when the wind is striking the boat’s port side first, and the mainsail is out to the starboard side.

Line of Position/Position Line

The line on charts shows the bearing of the vessel and the position where the boat mist lie. Or two positional lines providing a location fix.

The steel guard rail fitted to the bow to provide additional safety for the crew when working around the boat’s edge.

The steel guard rail fitted around the stern of the boat to prevent the crew from falling overboard.

The section of the vessel midway between the beam and the stern.

The difference in water levels between the high and low tides is the range of tides. Or the distance at which you can see the light.

The act of reducing the sail surface area through folding or rolling additional materials onto the forestay or boom.

Reefing Pennant

The sturdy line allowing you to pull down the leech cringle or luff to the boom while reefing.

When sailing with the wind blowing onto the beam, with all sailing points between close-hauled and running.

Riding Sail

The small sail you hoist to maintain the steerage way during stormy weather.

The imaginary line cuts through all meridians at the same angle. Or the course of the vessel moving in a fixed direction.

Rigging Screw

The deck fitting allowing for tensioning of the standing rigging.

The act of sailing with the wind to the aft of the vessel and with the sails eased into the wide-out, full position.

The curve in a leech sail extending beyond the direct line formed from clew to head.

Running Rigging

All moving lines like halyards and sheets used for trimming and setting sails.

Search and Rescue.

A vessel with two or more masts and the mainmast featured in the aftermost position.

Search and Rescue Transponder.

The toe-rail holes allowing water to drain off the deck.

The room in which the vessel can maneuver clear of submerged dangers.

The shut-off valve for the underwater outlet or inlet passing through the vessel’s hull.

This is French for “radio silence.” You’ll use it when reporting a distress call or incident at sea.

The act of hoisting a sail. Or how the sails fit or the direction of a tidal stream or current.

A procedure word for identifying safety calls.

A steel link featuring a removable bolt crossing the open end. The shackle comes in various designs, from “S” to “U” shapes and more.

The cables or ropes typically fund in pairs, leading from the mast to the chainplates at the deck level. These shrouds prevent the mast from falling to the side, and it’s part of your standing rigging.

The rope attaching to the boom to the sail’s clew allows for the trimming and control over the sail.

Skin Fitting

A through-hull fitting featuring a hole in its skin allows for air and water passing. The seacock is the accessory used for sealing the cavity when not in use.

A boat with a single-masted design for one headsail and one mainsail.

The general term for any metal or wooden pole on board a boat. The pole gives shape to the sails.

Safety of Life at Sea.

Speed Over the Ground

A lightweight, large balloon-shaped sail for running or reacting.

The horizontal struts attach to the mast and extend to the shrouds to assist with supporting the mast.

The act of joining wires or ropes using a weaving process interlacing the fibers in the cable or rope.

The sail will stall if the airflow over the sail surface breaks up, causing the vessel to lose its momentum.

Standing Part

The part of the line you don’t use when making a knot. Or the part of a rope you use to tie around the knot.

The metal post bolted to the deck in an upright position to support the guard railing.

Standing Rigging

The stays and shrouds provide permanent support to the mast.

Starboard Tack

The vessel is on the starboard tack when the boom is out to post, and the wind strikes the boat’s starboard side.

The right-hand side of the vessel when looking forward.

The rope or wire supports the mast in the fore-and-aft direction. It is a part of the standing rigging for your boat.

The sternward movement of the vessel towards the backward direction.

Steerage Way

The vessel has steerage when it reaches sufficient speed, allowing for steering or answering the helm.

The loop of rope or wire attaches the spar to the block to make a sling.

The railing around the vessel’s stern prevents the crew from falling overboard. Modern yachts do not have the elegant wooden railing of older models. Instead, they feature tubular steel or aluminum railings, called Pushpits.

Telegraph Buoy

The buoy marks the position of a submerged cable.

To pull on the end of the rope or cable, wound around a winch.

The compass mounted over the captain’s berth, allowing for the easy reference to what’s going on in the vessel’s helm.

The metal fitting forming eyes at the end of cables, wires, or ropes.

A description for any small boat, usually inflatable models. These boats will take supplies and people between a larger vessel and the shore.

Thermal Wind

The wind occurring from the difference in the heating of the sea and the land by the sun. The sun heats the land faster than the sea, resulting in the onshore wind from the sea replacing the air rising over the land, causing the “sea breeze” phenomenon.

Thumb Cleat

A small cleat featuring a single horn.

The wooden pegs featuring vertical pairs in the gunwale for constraining the oars for rowing.

Topping Lift

The rope linking the mast to the boom end. It supports the boom, allowing for its lowering and raising.

The progress on the vessel’s journey over the ocean. The trajectory line of the boat.

The sides of the hull between the waterline and the deck.

The netting stretching across the hulls of a catamaran.

A watch period or watch duty at the helm of the vessel.

Traverse beams forming part of the stern and fixed to the sternpost of a wooden ship.

Tricolor Lamp

A lamp displaying red in proper port sectors, green in the starboard sectors, and white astern. Some authorities permit the tri-color light on smaller boats instead of conventional stern and bow lights.

Turk’s Head

A decorative knot featuring variable numbers of interwoven strands that form a closed loop.

The direction and velocity of wind measured by stationary observers. Apparent wind is wind experienced by moving objects.

Sturdy steel fittings used for attaching standing rigging to the spar or mast.

The low, forward corner of the sail. Or the action of turning the boat through the wind to get it to blow on the other side of the sails.

Sailing close-hauled to work windward on an alternate course. The wind is on one side then the other.

The low strip of steel, wood, or strapping running along the edge of the deck. You’ll use it in combination with the hand railing to hold your feet to the deck to prevent falling overboard.

The rise and fall of the ocean are caused by the moon’s gravitational effect on the earth and the ocean.

The line moving from the mast had to the spar or the boom used in raising it.

To adjust the sail angle using sheets to achieve optimal efficiency from the sail. Or it describes the action of adjusting the load, influencing the fore-and-aft angle at which it floats.

The course of the boat making good on its travel plan. A fitting of on the boom or mast to the slide on the sail fit. The fitting along which the traveler runs for altering the sheet tension.

The speed and direction of the wind when anchored, stationary on the water, or land.

Turn Buckle

The apparatus used for tightening the standing rigging on the vessel.

A line used in raising something like a spinnaker pole vertically.

The vessel is underway when it releases it fastening to shore when it is not aground or at anchor.

See kicking strap.

The wind will veer when shifting in a clockwise direction. Veering can also mean paying out anchor rope or cable in a controlled manner.

Velocity Made Good

Very High Frequency

The disturbed water left behind (astern) the boat as it moves forward in the water, usually caused by a motor.

Weather Helm

The tendency of the vessel to turn into the wind.

The distance between the radio waves.

Weather Side

The side of the vessel to which the wind is blowing.

World Geodetic Survey of 1984 (most common chart datum).

A mechanical device featuring a cable or line attached to a motor. The winch pulls the boat aboard the trailer and helps with the vessel’s launch from the trailer. The winch also gives more pulling power to withdrawing nets or other apparatus from the water.

Whisker Pole

A lightweight pole used for holding the clew out of the headsail when on a run.

The winch features a vertical handle and a horizontal shaft used in hauling up the anchor chain.

The parts of the vessel that increase the drag on the boat. Examples would be the spars, rigging, etc.

The direction from which the wind blows toward the wind (the opposite way to leeward).

Cross Track Error. The perpendicular distance between two waypoints off track.

A dual-masted vessel with its mizzen stepped aft of its rudder post/stock.

John is an experienced journalist and veteran boater. He heads up the content team at BoatingBeast and aims to share his many years experience of the marine world with our readers.

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Glossary of Nautical and Sailing Terms and Abbreviations

Navigating the waters of nautical and sailing terminology can be as challenging as sailing through uncharted waters. This comprehensive glossary covers essential terms and abbreviations, providing a valuable resource for both seasoned sailors and landlubbers alike. The terms are organized alphabetically for easy reference.

• Aback : When a sail is aback, the wind fills it from the lee side, pushing it against the mast. This is often unintended and can hinder forward motion.
• Abaft : Refers to a location on the boat towards the stern, relative to another object or position.
• Abeam : A direction or position on a boat that is at right angles to its centerline. It’s often used to describe the location of an object or another vessel relative to the boat.
• Aft : Located at, in, or towards the stern of a boat. It is a directional term indicating the rear part of the vessel.
• A-hull : A method used by sailors to ride out a storm with no sails set and the helm lashed to leeward. It’s a technique for minimizing strain on the boat during severe weather.
• AIS (Automatic Identification System) : A tracking system used on ships for identifying and locating vessels by electronically exchanging data with other nearby ships and AIS base stations.
• Amidships : The central part of a boat, both in terms of length and width. It refers to the area around the middle of the vessel.
• Apparent Wind : The wind experienced by an observer in motion, combining the true wind and the wind added by the observer’s own speed. It’s important for navigation and sail adjustment.
• ARPA (Automatic Radar Plotting Aid) : A system that uses radar to track the position and movement of other vessels, assisting in collision avoidance.
• Astern : Refers to a position or direction behind a boat. It can also describe the action of moving the boat in reverse.
• Athwartships : A direction or position that is at right angles to the fore-and-aft line of the boat. It’s often used in describing the layout or movement across a vessel.
• Azimuth : The angular distance measured in a clockwise direction on the horizon, usually from a fixed reference point like north. It’s a key concept in navigation for determining directions.
• Above Board : Referring to actions or behaviors that are honest, open, and not deceitful. It’s often used to describe dealings or transactions that are legitimate.
• Abandon Ship : A directive given to leave the vessel immediately, usually in the face of imminent danger. It’s a last-resort order when the ship is no longer safe.
• Aboard : Being on or within a vessel. The term “close aboard” implies proximity to another ship.
• Accommodation Ladder : A portable flight of steps down a ship’s side, used for boarding or disembarking.
• Admiral : A senior naval officer of flag rank, with different levels including Rear Admiral, Vice Admiral, and Admiral. This term has historical roots and is key in naval hierarchies.
• Admiralty Law : A body of law that governs maritime questions and offenses. In the UK, it’s administered by a specific division of the High Court.
• Adrift : Describes a vessel or object that is not moored, anchored, or otherwise fastened, floating freely. It implies a lack of control and can also refer to misplaced gear.
• Aground : A state in which a boat or ship is resting on the seabed or ground, often unintentionally. This can occur due to low tide or navigational errors.
• Ahead : A direction in front of the bow of the boat. Moving ahead means moving forward.
• Ahoy : A traditional cry to draw attention, often used in hailing a boat or ship. It’s a part of classic maritime communication.
• Aid to Navigation (ATON) : Devices external to a vessel that assist navigators in determining their position or course, or in identifying dangers or obstructions. These include buoys, lighthouses, and markers.
• All Hands : Referring to the entire crew of a ship, including both officers and enlisted personnel. It’s often used to summon the whole crew for important announcements or emergencies.
• Aloft : Above the main structure of the ship, usually referring to the area around the masts and rigging. It’s a term often used when referring to work or lookouts positioned high on the vessel.
• Alongside : Being next to or by the side of a ship or pier. It’s often used when a vessel is moored or in close proximity to another object.
• Anchorage : A designated area suitable for anchoring or where ships can anchor. It can refer to a specific part of a harbor or port.
• Anchor’s Aweigh : This term is used to indicate that the anchor is clear of the sea bottom and, therefore, the ship is no longer secured to its anchoring spot. It signifies readiness to set sail or change position.
• Anchor Ball : A black shape hoisted at the forepart of a ship to indicate that the vessel is anchored in a navigable area or fairway. It’s a visual signal for other vessels.
• Anchor Buoy : A small buoy connected to the anchor to mark its position when dropped on the sea floor. It helps in locating and retrieving the anchor.
• Anchor Chain or Cable : The heavy chain or cable that connects the anchor to the ship, allowing it to be secured to the seabed. It plays a critical role in the anchoring system.
• Anchor Detail : A group of crew members assigned to handle the ship’s anchoring equipment during anchoring or getting underway. They manage the deployment and retrieval of the anchor.
• Anchor Light : A white light displayed by a ship at anchor, to be seen by other vessels at night. Larger ships over 150 feet display two anchor lights.
• Anchor Watch : The duty of ensuring that the anchor is holding and the vessel is not drifting, especially important in rough weather and at night. Many modern vessels use GPS systems with anchor watch alarm capabilities.
• Armament : Refers to the weapons carried by a ship. Armaments are critical for defense and, historically, for offensive naval actions.
• Ashore : Describes being on the land as opposed to being on a ship. Often used when crew members leave a ship to go onto land.
• Astern : The direction toward the back or stern of a vessel. It can also refer to a vessel or object located behind another vessel.
• Asylum Harbor : A harbor that provides shelter from storms or rough weather. It’s a place of refuge for vessels.
• ASW (Anti-submarine Warfare) : Activities and equipment focused on combating and defending against submarines. It’s a key aspect of naval warfare.
• Athwart, Athwartships : Positioned or located at right angles to the fore-and-aft line of a ship. This term is often used in describing the layout of the ship or when something is across the vessel’s centerline.
• ATON (Aid to Navigation) : Refers to any device external to a vessel that assists in navigation, such as buoys, lighthouses, and beacons. These are critical for safe maritime navigation, providing direction and warning of hazards.
• Avast : A command to stop or cease what is being done immediately. It’s a traditional naval term used to halt an operation or activity on the ship quickly.
• Awash : Describes a condition where the deck or surface of the vessel is barely above water, with water washing over it. It can indicate a dangerous situation, especially in rough seas.
• Aweigh : When the anchor is lifted off the seabed and is no longer holding the ship in place. It signifies the start of a journey or a change in the ship’s position.
• Aye, Aye : A response indicating that an order has been received, understood, and will be carried out. It’s a common response to commands in naval and maritime operations.
• Azimuth Compass : An instrument used to determine the position of the sun in relation to magnetic north. It’s crucial for navigation, especially in celestial navigation.
• Azimuth Circle : A navigational instrument used for taking bearings of celestial objects, aiding in determining the ship’s position and course.
• Ballast : Ballast refers to material placed in the lower part of a boat or ship to provide stability and improve its handling and balance. It can be water, sand, or other heavy materials, adjusted according to the vessel’s needs to maintain an even keel and optimal performance.
• Batten : A thin, flexible strip inserted into the sail’s edge, providing stability and shape to the sail, especially in stronger winds.
• Beam : The widest part of a boat, crucial for stability. It’s a key measurement in determining a vessel’s capacity and handling characteristics.
• Berth : A sleeping compartment on a boat, or a designated space in a harbor where a vessel can be moored.
• Bilge : The lowest part of a boat’s interior, where water typically collects and needs to be pumped out to prevent damage.
• Bilge Pump : A mechanical or manual device used to remove water accumulated in the bilge, essential for maintaining vessel buoyancy and safety.
• Boom : A horizontal pole attached to the mast, used to extend and control the foot of a sail.
• Bow : The front or forward part of a boat, often characterized by a pointed shape for cutting through water.
• Bowsprit : A spar extending forward from a ship’s bow, used to support fore-sails and increase sail area.
• Bridge : The area on a ship where the command and navigation are conducted, equivalent to a control center on larger vessels.
• Buoy : A floating device used to mark specific points in the water, like hazards, channels, or anchors.
• Bulkhead : A structural partition within a ship, dividing various compartments or sections for stability and safety.
• Back and Fill : A maneuver using the tide’s advantage when the wind is not favorable, typically in narrow channels or during docking.
• Backstays : Cables or lines extending from the ship’s stern to the masthead, providing support and stability to the mast.
• Baggywrinkle : A soft covering, usually made from old rope, wrapped around rigging cables to prevent sail chafing.
• Bar : A large mass of sand or earth formed by sea surges, often found at river mouths or harbor entrances, affecting navigation.
• Barrelman : A sailor stationed in a crow’s nest, responsible for lookout duties and spotting hazards or other ships.
• Bar Pilot : A specialist navigator who guides ships through challenging areas like sandbars or river mouths.
• Beacon : A fixed navigation aid, either lighted or unlighted, attached to the earth’s surface, marking hazards or guiding paths.
• Bear Away/Down : Nautical terms for steering a vessel away from the wind, often during maneuvers or in response to wind shifts.
• Bearing : The direction or position of an object, typically another vessel, relative to one’s own position, measured in degrees.
• Before the Mast : A term referring to the living quarters of enlisted sailors, located in the front part of the ship.
• Belaying Pins : Rods or bars used to secure ropes or rigging on a ship, typically made of wood or metal.
• Best Bower : The larger of two anchors on a ship, often the primary anchor used for securing the vessel.
• Bimini : A protective covering, typically made of weather-resistant fabric, mounted over a boat’s cockpit to shield from sun or rain. It’s a common feature in sailboats and yachts for added comfort.
• Binnacle : A stand or housing on a ship that holds navigational instruments, including the ship’s compass. It’s essential for maintaining the ship’s course.
• Bitts : Strong vertical posts on a ship’s deck for fastening ropes or cables, especially important during mooring or towing operations.
• Bitter End : The final part of a rope or anchor cable. In nautical usage, reaching the ‘bitter end’ means using the entire length of the rope or cable.
• Boatswain (or Bosun) : A non-commissioned officer on a ship responsible for maintaining the vessel’s rigging, sails, and other equipment.
• Boom Vang : A device used on sailboats to control the angle and bend of the boom, thereby influencing sail shape and performance.
• Bow-Chaser : A type of long gun placed at the front of a ship, used for firing directly ahead, especially useful in naval pursuits.
• Bowline : A type of knot creating a fixed loop at the end of a rope, known for its strength and stability.
• Bowsprit : A spar extending forward from a ship’s bow, used to increase the area for fore-sails and enhance sailing efficiency.
• Broaching-To : A sudden veering or turning of a ship, often causing it to face into the wind or waves, potentially dangerous in heavy seas.
• Bulwark : The extension of a ship’s sides above the level of the deck, providing protection against waves and adding structural integrity.
• Cabin : Enclosed living space on a boat, offering shelter and accommodations. It can range from basic to luxurious, depending on the vessel.
• Cable : A large rope or a measure of distance at sea, often used in anchoring or mooring a vessel. It is crucial in various maritime operations.
• Capsize : The act of a boat turning over in the water, which can be accidental or due to extreme conditions. Capsizing is a critical concern in boating safety.
• Chart Datum : A reference level on nautical charts, indicating the lowest tide level. It’s essential for safe navigation, especially near shorelines.
• Cleat : A fitting, often made of metal or plastic, used for securing ropes on a boat. It’s a fundamental piece of hardware for mooring and rigging.
• Cockpit : The area, usually lower than the deck, where the boat’s controls are located. It’s the primary operating station for steering and maneuvering.
• Companionway : The set of steps or a ladder leading from the boat’s deck down to the cabin. It serves as the main entry to the interior.
• Catamaran : A boat with two parallel hulls, offering stability and space. It’s popular for both recreational and racing purposes.
• Centreboard : A retractable keel that moves vertically, used to reduce sideways movement (leeway) in sailing boats.
• Clew : The lower aft corner of a sail, where the foot and leech intersect. It plays a crucial role in controlling sail shape.
• Close-Hauled : Sailing as close to the wind as possible without stalling. It’s a challenging point of sail requiring precise control.
• Cringle : A reinforced eyelet, often found at the ends of reef lines or on sails, used for securing or adjusting the sail.
• Daggerboard : A vertically movable fin in smaller sailboats, providing stability and controlling side-slippage.
• Deck : The top surface of a boat’s hull where crew and passengers stand.
• Deadrise : The angle formed between the boat’s bottom and a horizontal plane, is important for understanding hull design.
• Dinghy : A small boat, often used for short trips or as a tender for larger vessels.
• Dodger : A protective covering over the cockpit area, shielding from wind and spray.
• Davy Jones’ Locker : Nautical folklore for the seabed, symbolizing the final resting place of drowned sailors.
• Daybeacon : An unlit navigation marker, visible in daylight, used for identifying locations or hazards.
• Deadeye : A round wooden block with holes, part of a ship’s standing rigging, used for tensioning shrouds.
• Deckhand : A crew member responsible for general work on the main deck.
• Derrick : A lifting device on ships, composed of a mast or pole and a boom, used for cargo handling.
• Devil Seam : A particularly difficult seam to seal on a ship’s hull, located near the waterline.
• Dog Watch : A shorter than usual watch period on ships, typically two hours, to rotate duty times.
• Dolphin : A man-made marine structure of piled beams for mooring or navigational aids.
• Downhaul : A rope or line used for adjusting the tension on a sail or spar.
• Draft : The vertical distance from the waterline to the lowest point of a ship’s keel, important for determining navigable water depth.
• Dredging : The removal of sediments and debris from the bottom of water bodies to deepen them for navigation, environmental cleanup, or land reclamation.
• Drogue : A device trailed behind a boat to slow it down, particularly useful in heavy weather to control speed.
• EPIRB (Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon) : A crucial safety device that sends out a distress signal in emergencies, helping in the location of vessels in distress.
• Engine : The power unit used to propel a boat, varying in type and size depending on the vessel.
• Earrings : Ropes used to secure the top corners of large sails to the yardarms, essential in sail management.
• Embayed : A situation where a vessel is trapped between headlands, often with winds blowing onshore, posing navigational challenges.
• Even Keel : Even keel refers to a condition where a boat or ship is perfectly balanced in the water, not tilting to either side. This balance is crucial for optimal performance and safety, ensuring the vessel moves efficiently and remains stable.
• Extremis : A critical point in navigation rules where vessels in danger of collision must take action to avoid it.
• EP (Estimated Position) : A navigational term referring to the calculated location of a vessel based on estimations.
• ETA (Estimated Time of Arrival) : The predicted time a vessel is expected to arrive at a destination. Read more: What Is ETA and ETD in Shipping?
• ETD (Estimated Time of Departure) : The planned time for a vessel’s departure from a port or location. Read more: What Is ETA and ETD in Shipping?
• Fairlead : A fitting that guides ropes smoothly, preventing friction and wear.
• Fathom : A unit of depth measurement in maritime contexts, equal to six feet. Read more about fathom as a nautical measurement .
• Flare : An emergency signaling device emitting bright light, used for distress signaling at sea.
• Fender : A cushioning device, often air or foam-filled, used to prevent a boat from damaging itself or other objects.
• Figurehead : A decorative symbol located at the front of older sailing ships.
• Fireship : Historically, a ship filled with explosives and set on fire, used as a weapon.
• First Rate : A classification for large, heavily armed warships in the 17th to 19th centuries.
• Flag Hoist : A series of signal flags strung together to convey messages.
• Fluke : The wedge-shaped part of an anchor’s arm, essential for securing the anchor in the seabed.
• Forecastle : A section at the front of a ship, traditionally housing crew quarters.
• Furl : To roll or wrap a sail around a spar or mast, a common practice in managing sails.
• Galley : The kitchen area on a boat, equipped for cooking and preparing meals.
• Genoa : A large jib or foresail, often overlapping the mainsail, used for improved sailing efficiency, especially in lighter winds.
• Gimbal : A pivoting support allowing an object to remain level regardless of the boat’s motion, commonly used for compasses and cooking appliances.
• Gudgeon and Pintle : Components of the hinge mechanism connecting the rudder to the boat, crucial for steering.
• Gaff : A spar supporting the upper side of a fore-and-aft sail, essential in traditional sail configurations.
• Gangplank : A movable bridge allowing passengers and crew to board or leave a ship, especially at a pier.
• Garboard : The bottom plank of a boat’s hull, adjacent to the keel, playing a critical role in hull integrity.
• GPS (Global Positioning System) : A satellite-based navigation system providing location and time information globally, vital for modern navigation.
• Grapeshot : A type of ammunition used in naval warfare, consisting of small metal balls, effective against personnel rather than structures.
• Gybe (or Jibe) : A sailing maneuver where the boat turns so its stern passes through the wind, used to change direction.
• Hank : A fitting used to connect a sail’s luff to a stay.
• HAT (Highest Astronomical Tide) : The highest level of tide predicted under average meteorological conditions.
• Hatch : An opening in a ship’s deck for interior access.
• Head-to-Wind : Position where a boat’s bow points directly into the wind.
• Headfoil : A streamlined cover around a forestay, with a groove for a headsail’s luff.
• Heads : Toilets on a boat.
• Headway : Forward movement of a boat through water.
• Heave-to : A maneuver in heavy weather to reduce a boat’s headway by backing the jib and lashing the tiller to leeward.
• Heel : The action of a boat leaning to one side.
• Halyard (or Halliard) : Line used to hoist a sail’s head or a spar; essential for sail manipulation.
• Hammock : Canvas bed slung from a ship’s deckhead, used for sailors’ sleeping quarters.
• Hand Bomber : Historical term for a ship with manually shoveled coal-fired boilers.
• Hand over Fist : Expression describing steady upward climbing, akin to a sailor ascending a ship’s shrouds.
• Handsomely : Slow, steady motion, especially when hauling a line.
• Hank : Fastener attaching a sail’s luff to the forestay, typically featuring a spring-operated gate or snap fastener.
• Harbor (or Harbour, Haven) : A natural or man-made shelter for ships, providing protection from weather.
• Haul Wind : Sailing towards the wind’s direction, not the fastest sailing point.
• Hawse-hole : A hole in the ship’s bow for anchor cables or chains.
• Hawsepiper : A maritime officer who started as an unlicensed seaman without formal maritime education.
• Head : The toilet or latrine on a vessel, traditionally positioned at the bow.
• Head of Navigation : The farthest navigable point on a river for ships.
• Headsail : Any sail flown in front of a vessel’s foremost mast.
• Heave : A vessel’s temporary vertical motion, up and down.
• Heaving to : Stopping a sailing vessel by opposing the helm and sails, causing a leeward drift.
• Heave Down : Tilting a ship on its side, often for cleaning purposes.
• Heeling : The leaning of a sailing vessel caused by wind pressure on its sails.
• Helmsman : Person responsible for steering a ship.
• Hogging (or Hog) : Hull distortion where the keel’s ends are lower than the center.
• Hold : The lower part of a ship’s interior, used for storage, such as cargo.
• Holiday : An unintentional gap in the application of paint or other preservative substances.
• Holystone : Sandstone block used for scrubbing a ship’s deck.
• Horn : A sound signal device powered by electricity or compressed air.
• Horse : Attachment for sheets on a vessel’s deck.
• Hounds : Attachments for stays on masts.
• Hull : The shell and structural framework of a ship’s basic flotation section.
• Hydrofoil : A boat with underwater wings or foils for lift and speed enhancement. Read more about Hydrofoil boats
• Icebreaker : A ship designed to navigate and break through ice-covered waters, enabling travel in polar regions. Read more about how icebreakers work or the top 10 biggest icebreakers in the world .
• Icing : A hazardous condition where sea spray freezes upon contact with the ship in cold temperatures (below about -10°C) and high wind speeds (force 8 or above on the Beaufort scale).
• Idlers : Members of a ship’s crew who are not required to stand watches, typically specialist tradesmen like carpenters and sailmakers.
• IMO (International Maritime Organisation) : A specialized agency of the United Nations responsible for regulating shipping.
• Impeller : A rotating component in a pump or engine, used to move water for cooling or propulsion.
• In Irons : A sailing term for when a boat’s bow is into the wind, causing it to stall and lose maneuverability.
• In the Offing : Originally meaning in the waters visible from onboard a ship, now refers to something imminent or about to happen.
• Inboard Motor : An engine mounted inside the boat, typically below the deck, used for propulsion.
• Inboard-Outboard Drive System : A hybrid marine propulsion system combining features of inboard and outboard motors, often found in larger powerboats.
• Inclinometer : An instrument used on ships to measure the degree of tilt or inclination, showing the vessel’s angle relative to the horizontal.
• IRPCS (International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea) : A set of international rules governing navigation to prevent collisions between vessels at sea.
• Isobars : Lines on a weather map joining places of equal atmospheric pressure, crucial for weather prediction and navigation.
• ITU (International Telecommunication Union) : A United Nations specialized agency for information and communication technologies, including maritime communications.
• Jib : A triangular sail set forward of the mainmast of a boat, critical for maneuvering and speed.
• Jack : In nautical terms, it refers to either a flag, specifically flown at the jackstaff at the bow of a ship, or colloquially to a sailor.
• Jacklines or Jack Stays : Lines, often steel wire with a plastic coating, running from bow to stern on both sides of a ship, used for clipping on safety harnesses to secure crew while allowing deck mobility.
• Jack Tar : A term for a sailor, historically dressed in ‘square rig’ with a square collar and sometimes a tarred pigtail.
• Jib : A triangular staysail set at the front of a ship, important for its maneuvering and speed.
• Jibe (or Gybe) : A sailing maneuver where the stern of the boat turns through the wind, changing the side of the boat the sail is on.
• Jigger-mast : The fourth or rearmost mast on a ship, generally the smallest on vessels with fewer than four masts.
• Jollies : A traditional Royal Navy nickname for the Royal Marines.
• Junk : Old, unusable cordage on a ship, often repurposed by teasing apart strands in a process called picking oakum.
• Jury : Refers to a temporary replacement for lost or damaged gear on a ship, often improvised in emergencies.
• Keel : The primary structural element of a boat’s hull, extending along the bottom and often protruding into the water for stability.
• Keelhauling : A severe maritime punishment involving dragging a person under the keel of a ship.
• Kedge : A small, light secondary anchor used for additional anchoring or maneuvering.
• Kelson (or Kelson) : A timber placed immediately above the keel inside a wooden ship, contributing to the hull’s structural integrity.
• Ketch : A two-masted sailing vessel with a mainmast and a smaller mizzenmast, the latter stepped forward of the rudder post.
• Kicking Strap (or Boom Vang) : A line or tackle used to control a sailboat’s boom position, pulling it down to maintain a horizontal orientation, especially useful on a reach or run.
• Killick : A small anchor, symbolically representing a non-commissioned officer in the Royal Navy, or used colloquially to refer to an able seaman skilled in anchor handling.
• Kissing the Gunner’s Daughter : A naval punishment where a sailor was bent over a cannon’s barrel for a spanking with a cane or cat-o’-nine-tails.
• Know the Ropes : A phrase indicating thorough familiarity with the ropes and cordage necessary for operating a ship.
• Ladder : On ships, most ‘stairs’ are called ladders, typically narrow and nearly vertical.
• Laker : A vessel that operates exclusively on the Great Lakes.
• Land Lubber : A person inexperienced or unfamiliar with the sea and sailing.
• Lanyard : A short line used to secure or tether an object, such as a tool, to prevent loss.
• Larboard : Archaic term for the left side of a ship, now known as ‘port’.
• Large (By and Large) : Nautical term referring to sailing both with and against the wind.
• LAT (Lowest Astronomical Tide) : The lowest level that sea tides can reach, used as a reference in charting.
• Lateral System : Navigation aids system indicating the sides of channels relative to a conventional direction.
• Lay : Orders related to crew movement or ship’s course; also, the twisting of rope strands.
• Lay Down : To begin ship construction in a shipyard.
• Lazy Jacks : Lines or ropes used to assist in controlling a sail when lowering or reefing.
• League : A unit of distance, often equated to three nautical miles.
• Lee : The side of the boat sheltered from the wind.
• Lee Helm : Tendency of a boat to bear away from the wind, requiring the helm to be pushed leeward to maintain a straight course.
• Lee Shore : A shore onto which the wind blows, posing a risk for ships being blown aground.
• Leech : The after edge of a sail, particularly susceptible to twist and controlled by the vang and mainsheet.
• Leeward : The direction toward which the wind is blowing.
• Leeway : The sideways movement of a ship off its course due to wind pressure.
• Let Go and Haul : An order indicating alignment with the wind.
• Letter of Marque and Reprisal : A government license authorizing a privateer to attack enemy ships.
• Lifeboat : A small, sturdy boat carried on ships, used for emergency evacuation.
• Lifeline : A safety line or cable running along the sides of a boat.
• Liferaft : An inflatable raft used for emergency abandonment of a ship.
• Line : The correct nautical term for ropes used on a vessel, each with a specific name based on its use.
• Liner : Originally a term for major warships in a battle line; now refers to large, prestigious passenger vessels.
• List : The lean or tilt of a vessel to one side due to uneven weight distribution.
• Loaded to the Gunwales : Having cargo loaded up to the ship’s rail; colloquially, being extremely drunk.
• Loggerhead : An iron tool for driving caulking into seams; historically, also used in fights.
• Lubber’s Line : A line inside a compass case indicating the ship’s heading.
• Luff : The forward edge of a sail; ‘to luff up’ means turning the boat’s head into the wind.
• Luffing : The condition when a sail is not fully filled with wind, often indicated by flapping.
• Lying Ahull : A storm tactic where all sails are doused and the boat is left to drift.
• Mainbrace : The brace attached to the mainmast.
• Mainmast (or Main) : The tallest mast on a ship, supporting the primary sails.
• Mainsheet : A line used to control the angle and shape of the mainsail, affecting sail trim and boom position.
• Man of War : A warship from the age of sail.
• Man Overboard! : A cry indicating that a person has fallen off the ship.
• Marina : A facility for docking small ships and yachts, often with amenities.
• Marines Soldiers Afloat : Royal Marines with duties including guarding ship’s officers; formed in 1664.
• Marinized Engine : An automotive engine adapted for use in marine environments.
• Mast : A vertical pole on a ship supporting sails and rigging.
• Mast Step : The socket or base in the keel where the mast is fixed.
• Masthead : A platform partway up the mast, used for lookout and access to the main yard.
• Master : The commander of a commercial vessel or a senior naval officer responsible for seamanship and navigation.
• Master-at-Arms : A naval non-commissioned officer in charge of discipline.
• Matelot : A traditional Royal Navy term for an ordinary sailor.
• MCA (Maritime and Coastguard Agency) : The organization responsible for maritime safety and regulation.
• Measured Mile : A nautical mile measured for testing a ship’s speed.
• Meridian : An imaginary line on Earth passing through the poles, used in navigation.
• Mess : An area on a ship where the crew eats; also, a group of crew members who eat together.
• Mess Deck Catering : A system where a mess group collectively manages and prepares meals.
• Midshipman : A junior officer in naval training.
• Mizzen : The shorter after-mast on a ketch or yawl; also, the sail on this mast.
• Mizzenmast (or Mizzen) : The third mast on a ship, typically on larger vessels.
• Mizzen Staysail : A light sail set on a ketch or yawl, used in moderate conditions.
• MLWN (Mean Low Water Neaps) : The average lowest tidal height at neap tides.
• MLWS (Mean Low Water Springs) : The average lowest tidal height at spring tides.
• MHWN (Mean High Water Neaps) : The average highest tidal height at neap tides.
• MHWS (Mean High Water Springs) : The average highest tidal height at spring tides.
• MMSI (Maritime Mobile Service Identity) : A unique identification number for maritime communications.
• Mooring : Securing a boat to a fixed point like a buoy or dock.
• Monkey Fist : A weighted ball woven from line, used for throwing a line to another location.
• Moor : To secure a boat to a mooring point or dock.
• Nautical Mile : A unit of distance in marine navigation, approximately equal to 1.852 kilometers.
• Navigation Rules : Guidelines, also known as “rules of the road,” for avoiding collisions at sea and determining responsibility in the event of a collision.
• Nipper : A short rope used to bind a cable to a moving line (messenger) during anchor operations, facilitating the cable’s movement.
• No Room to Swing a Cat : A phrase indicating a lack of space, historically referring to crowded conditions on a ship during floggings where there wasn’t enough room to swing the ‘cat o’ nine tails’ whip.
• Oilskin : Waterproof clothing worn by sailors in foul weather.
• Oar : A long pole with a flat blade, used manually for rowing a boat.
• Orlop Deck : The lowest deck in a ship, especially in ships of the line, often covering the hold.
• Orderbook : A record or list detailing the orders placed with shipyards for the construction of new ships. This term is commonly used in the maritime industry to gauge the level of activity and demand in the shipbuilding sector. Related article: What is a Ship Order Book? A Clear Explanation for Traders and Investors.
• Oreboat : A vessel, typically found on the Great Lakes, used primarily for transporting iron ore.
• Outboard Motor : A detachable engine mounted on the stern of a boat, used for propulsion.
• Overall Length (LOA) : The total length of a boat or ship, measured from the foremost part of the bow to the aftermost part of the stern, excluding attachments like bowspritRelated article: What Do Boat Measurements Mean? 11 Terms Explained! .
• Outward Bound : Departing from a port or harbor, heading towards the open sea.
• Overbear : Sailing downwind directly at another ship to steal its wind.
• Overfall : Dangerous sea conditions with steep and breaking waves, often caused by opposing currents and winds in shallow areas.
• Overhaul : The action of hauling buntline ropes over sails to prevent chafing.
• Overhead : The ceiling on a boat, technically the underside of the deck above.
• Overreach : In sailing, maintaining a tack too long before changing direction.
• Over the Barrel : A phrase referring to the practice of flogging young sailors over a cannon’s barrel.
• Outhaul : A rope used to control the shape of a sail, particularly the foot.
• Overwhelmed : A term for a boat that has capsized or sunk.
• Owner : A traditional Royal Navy term for the captain, originating from the days of privately-owned ships in naval service.
• Ox-Eye : A cloud or weather phenomenon signaling the potential onset of a storm.
• Painter : The bow line used to tow or secure a dinghy or tender.
• Panpan : An urgency call over the radio, requesting assistance but not in immediate danger.
• Parrel : A movable loop securing the yard to the mast on a sailing vessel.
• Part Brass Rags : An expression meaning to fall out with a friend; originates from shared cleaning materials.
• Pay : The action of filling a seam with caulking or pitch, or lubricating rigging.
• Paymaster : A naval officer responsible for financial matters, including paying and provisioning the crew.
• Pier-head Jump : A last-minute assignment of a sailor to a warship just before its departure.
• Pilot : A navigator or person qualified to steer ships through challenging waters.
• Pilothouse : An enclosed space on a boat from where it is navigated and controlled.
• Pipe (Bos’n’s Call) : A whistle used by boatswains to issue commands on a ship.
• Pipe Down : A signal indicating the end of the day, requiring silence and lights out.
• Piping the Side : A ceremonial salute using the bosun’s pipe to honor important individuals.
• Pitch : The up-and-down motion of a vessel’s bow and stern, rotating around its lateral axis.
• Pitchpole : To capsize a boat end over end, rather than by rolling.
• Pontoon : A flat-bottomed vessel, often used as a ferry, barge, or float for boarding.
• Poop Deck : A high deck on the aft of a ship’s superstructure.
• Pooped : Being swamped by a high, following sea, or colloquially, being exhausted.
• Port : The left-hand side of a ship when facing forward; marked with a red light at night.
• Port Tack : When a sailing boat has the wind coming from the port side and the mainsail is on the starboard side.
• Position Line/Line of Position : A line on a chart indicating a boat’s location, derived from bearings or sightings.
• Press Gang : Groups used historically by the Royal Navy to forcibly recruit men into naval service.
• Preventer (Gybe or Jibe Preventer) : A line used to prevent or moderate accidental jibes.
• Privateer : A privately-owned vessel authorized to engage in warfare under a Letter of Marque.
• Propeller Walk (Prop Walk) : The tendency of a propeller to push the stern sideways, affecting maneuverability.
• Prow : A poetic term for the bow of a ship.
• Pulley : A wheel on an axle designed to support movement and change of direction of a taut cable or belt.
• Pulpit : A metal guardrail at the bow of a boat, providing safety for the crew.
• Pushpit : A metal guardrail at the stern of a boat.
• Pusser : A naval term for the purser; responsible for supplies and provisions on a ship.
• Quarter : The side of a boat between the stern and the beam, roughly midway along the boat’s length.
• Quarterdeck : Traditionally, the aftermost deck of a warship, reserved for the ship’s officers; often near the stern.
• Quay (or Quayside) : A stone or metal platform lying alongside or projecting into water for loading and unloading ships.
• Queen’s (King’s) Regulations : The comprehensive orders governing the Royal Navy of the UK, issued under the authority of the reigning monarch.
• Radar : Acronym for RAdio Detection And Ranging, an electronic system used for detecting and locating objects using radio waves.
• Radar Reflector : A device that enhances a vessel’s visibility on radar screens by reflecting radar energy.
• Range : (1) In navigation, the alignment of two fixed points to guide a vessel; (2) the difference between high and low tide levels; (3) the distance at which a light is visible.
• Range Lights : Two lights aligned to form a navigational aid or mark a channel’s centerline.
• Ratlines : Rope ladders on a ship’s rigging to access masts and yards.
• Reach : A sailing point approximately 60° to 160° off the wind, including close, beam, and broad reaching.
• Reef : (1) To reduce a sail’s area in strong winds; (2) a rock or coral formation shallow enough to ground a vessel.
• Reef Points : Cords attached to a sail for securing excess fabric after reefing.
• Reef-Bands : Canvas strips sewn across sails for added strength.
• Reef-Tackles : Ropes used in the operation of reefing sails.
• Reefing Pennant : A strong line used to pull down the sail’s cringle to the boom during reefing.
• Reduced Cat : A lighter version of the cat o’nine tails, used for disciplining boys.
• Red Duster : Traditional nickname for the Civil Red Ensign.
• Rigging : The system of ropes, cables, or chains supporting a ship’s masts and controlling sails. More about Rigging !
• Rigging Screw : A device used to adjust the tension of a ship’s standing rigging.
• Righting Couple : The force that restores a ship to equilibrium after a heel alters the relationship between the center of buoyancy and gravity.
• Rigol : A rim or ‘eyebrow’ above a porthole or scuttle.
• Roach : The curved part of a sail’s leech, extending beyond a straight line from head to clew.
• Roll : A vessel’s side-to-side motion, rotating about the fore-aft axis.
• Rolling Tackle : Pulleys used to secure the yard to the weather side of the mast in rough seas.
• The Ropes : Refers to the lines used in a ship’s rigging.
• Rope’s End : A short length of rope used as a tool for summary punishment.
• Rudder : A flat piece, usually wood or metal, used to steer a ship.
• Rummage Sale : The sale of damaged cargo, derived from French ‘arrimage’.
• Running Rigging : The movable rigging of a ship, including lines like sheets and halyards, used to control sails’ position and shape.
• Sagging : The condition of a ship when a wave trough is amidships, causing the middle part of the ship to bend downward.
• Sail-plan : A set of drawings showing various sail combinations recommended for different conditions.
• Sailing Certification : Official recognition of sailing competence by an established sailing educational body.
• Saltie : A Great Lakes term for a vessel that also sails in ocean waters.
• Sampson Post : A strong vertical post supporting a ship’s windlass and the heel of the bowsprit.
• SAR (Search and Rescue) : Operations aimed at finding and helping vessels in distress.
• SART (Search and Rescue Transponder) : A device used in search and rescue operations to locate vessels.
• Scandalize : To temporarily reduce the area of a sail without properly reefing it.
• Scantling : Scantling refers to the set of standard dimensions for parts of a structure or vessel, particularly in shipbuilding. It includes the dimensions for beams, planks, ribs, and other components, ensuring structural integrity and compliance with design specifications and safety standards.
• Scud : The lowest clouds, observed mostly in squally weather.
• Scudding : Being carried furiously along by a storm.
• Scuppers : Openings on the side rails that allow water to drain off the deck.
• Scuttle : A small opening in a ship’s deck or hull; to sink a vessel deliberately.
• Scuttlebutt : A barrel for drinking water on a ship; also refers to gossip among sailors.
• Sea Anchor : A device deployed in water to stabilize a vessel in heavy weather.
• Sea Chest : A valve on a ship’s hull for water intake for ballast purposes.
• Seacock : A valve that controls water intake or discharge through the hull.
• Seaman : A sailor or crew member, often referring to lower ranks.
• Seaworthy : The condition of being fit and safe for navigating at sea.
• Securitay : A procedure word indicating a safety-related communication.
• Seelonce : Request for radio silence during a distress incident.
• Self-Unloader : A Great Lakes term for a vessel equipped to unload its cargo without external equipment.
• Sennet Whip : A device used for summary punishment on ships.
• Shackle : A metal link with a removable pin, used in various shapes for securing items.
• Sheave : A wheel or roller in a block, over which a rope runs.
• Sheer : The upward curve of a ship’s lines along its length, viewed from the side. More about Sheers
• Sheet : A rope attached to the lower corner of a sail for controlling its setting.
• Ship : A large vessel, traditionally a three-masted vessel square-rigged on all masts.
• Ship’s Bell : Used for marking time and regulating the crew’s watches.
• Ship’s Company : The collective term for the crew of a ship.
• Shoal : Shallow water that presents a hazard to navigation.
• Shrouds : Part of the standing rigging, running from the mast to the sides of the ship for support.
• Sick Bay : The medical compartment on a ship.
• Siren : A sound signal device using electricity or compressed air.
• Skipper : The captain or master of a ship.
• Skysail : A very high sail, above the royals, carried by few ships.
• Skyscraper : A small, triangular sail set above the skysail, used in light winds.
• Sloop : A single-masted sailing boat with one mainsail and one headsail.
• Slop Chest : A store aboard a ship selling items like clothing and tobacco to the crew.
• Slush : Greasy substance from boiling or scraping fat in meat storage barrels, used for greasing rigging.
• Slush Fund : Money obtained from selling ‘slush’, used for the crew’s benefit.
• Small Bower (Anchor) : The smaller of two anchors carried at the bow of a ship.
• Son of a Gun : Originally, children born aboard ship; now used to refer to a mischievous person.
• Sonar : Sound Navigation And Ranging; a device for detecting objects underwater.
• Spanker : A sail on the aft-most mast of certain ships, like schooners and barques.
• Spanker-Mast : The aft-most mast on vessels like schooners and barquentines.
• Spar : A general term for poles like masts and booms on a ship.
• Spindrift : Spray blown from wave crests by strong winds.
• Spinnaker : A large, balloon-like sail used for down
• Tack (noun) : The lower forward corner of a sail.
• Tack (verb) : A maneuver where the boat turns so the bow passes through an imaginary line, pointing into the wind.
• Tacking : Sailing close-hauled on alternate courses so that the wind shifts from one side of the boat to the other.
• Taking the Wind Out of His Sails : Sailing in a way that steals the wind from another ship.
• Tang : A metal fitting for attaching rigging to a mast or spar.
• Tally : The action of hauling aft the sheets towards the ship’s stern.
• Tailshaft : A metallic shaft connecting the propeller to the power engine, aiding in propulsion.
• Teazer : A rope used as a punitive device.
• Tender : A small boat used to ferry people and supplies from a yacht to shore.
• Three Sheets to the Wind : A term describing a drunken sailor; metaphorically, a ship drifting aimlessly.
• Tide : The rise and fall of the ocean’s surface due to gravitational forces, mainly from the moon.
• Timoneer : A steersman of a ship, especially during specific maneuvers.
• Toe the Line/Mark : To stand in line with toes aligned with a seam on the deck, used in naval parades.
• Togey : Another term for a rope used as a punitive device.
• Topgallant : The mast or sails above the topsails.
• Topmast : The second section of a mast above the deck, carrying the topsails.
• Topsail : The second sail up a mast, either square or fore-and-aft.
• Topsides : The part of a ship’s hull above the waterline; also refers to above-water hull.
• Touch and Go : A situation where the ship’s bottom grazes the seafloor but doesn’t become grounded.
• Towing : The process of pulling a vessel forward by lines.
• Track : (1) The course made good by a boat; (2) a fitting on the mast or boom for a sail’s slide; (3) a fitting for a traveller.
• TrackLink : A GPS tracking app for student logbooks in sailing education.
• Traffic Separation Scheme : Designated shipping corridors that separate incoming and outgoing vessels.
• Transom : The flat surface forming the stern of a boat. Read more: What Is a Transom on a Boat? A Beginner’s Guide
• Travellers : Fittings that slide on a rod or line, commonly used for the mainsheet.
• Trim : (1) Adjusting the sails; (2) adjusting the boat’s load for optimal fore-and-aft angle.
• Trimaran : A boat with a main hull and two smaller outrigger hulls.
• True Wind : The actual wind speed and direction experienced when stationary.
• Tiller : A lever attached to the rudder, used for steering.
• Topsail : A sail located above the lowermost sail of a mast, typically in square-rigged vessels.
• Turtling : A capsizing incident where a sailboat’s mast points straight down and the hull resembles a turtle shell.
• Turnbuckle : A device used to adjust the tension of a ship’s rigging.
• Topping Lift : A line used to support the boom of a sailboat when the sail is not raised.
• Tide : The periodic rise and fall of the ocean’s surface caused by gravitational forces.
• Toe Rail : A low strip around the edge of a boat’s deck for safety and structural integrity.
• Under the Weather : Serving a watch on the weather side of the ship, exposed to wind and spray, often leading to feeling ill.
• In a general sense, a vessel that is moving or navigating, not anchored, moored, or aground.
• Specifically, a boat is underway when it is not fastened to the shore, at anchor, or aground.
• Underwater Hull (or Underwater Ship) : The section of a vessel that is submerged in water, typically visible only when the vessel is in drydock.
• Upper-yardmen : Sailors selected for advanced training or development, often earmarked for higher office or specialized duties.
• Up Haul : A line used to raise equipment vertically, such as the spinnaker pole on a sailboat.
• V-berth : A bed or sleeping space located at the bow of a boat, typically in a V-shape.
• Vang (or Kicking Strap) : A line or rigging used to control the angle of the sailboat’s boom relative to the wind.
• (1) Describes a clockwise shift in the wind’s direction.
• (2) To gradually and controlledly pay out an anchor cable or rope.
• VHF (Very High Frequency) : A radio frequency range used for marine communication.
• VMG (Velocity Made Good) : A measure of the speed at which a vessel is moving towards its destination, considering both its course and the current.
• Vanishing Angle : The critical angle of heel beyond which a vessel cannot right itself and risks capsizing.
• Wake : The trail of disturbed water left behind a boat as it moves through the water.
• Wales : Thick, strong planks running lengthwise along the lower part of a ship’s side.
• Watch : A designated period during which part of the crew is on duty, with changes marked by ship’s bell.
• Watercraft : General term for all types of water transport vessels, including ships, boats, and personal watercraft.
• Weather Deck : The deck of a ship that is exposed to the weather, usually the main or upper deck.
• Weather Gage : A favorable position relative to another vessel concerning the wind.
• Weather Helm : The tendency of a boat to turn into the wind, requiring the tiller to be pulled windward for straight-line sailing.
• Weather Side : The side of a ship that is exposed to the wind.
• Weatherly : Describes a ship that sails well into the wind with minimal leeway.
• Weigh Anchor : The action of lifting the anchor in preparation for sailing.
• Wells : Sections in the ship’s hold designated for pumps.
• Wheelhouse : The area of a ship where the steering wheel is located; often synonymous with pilothouse or bridge.
• Whisker Pole : A lightweight pole used to extend the clew of a headsail, especially when running downwind.
• White Horses : Waves with foam or spray on their tops, typically formed in strong winds.
• Wide Berth : Allowing ample space between two moored ships for maneuvering.
• WGS84 (World Geodetic Survey of 1984) : The most common chart datum used in global positioning systems.
• Windage : The resistance of a boat to the wind, caused by parts like rigging, spars, and crew.
• Windbound : Being confined to a particular area due to contrary winds.
• Windlass : A mechanical device, often horizontal, used for hauling anchor chains or ropes, providing greater mechanical advantage than block and tackle.
• Winch : A mechanical device with a drum and handle, used to haul or adjust tension on ropes or cables, aiding in sail control.
• Windward : The direction from which the wind blows; opposite of leeward.
• Wavelength : The distance between successive crests of radio waves.
• Vang (or Kicking Strap) : Rigging used to control the boom’s angle, affecting sail shape.
• X-Band : A frequency band used in radar systems, specifically in the 7.0 to 11.2 GHz range, often used in marine radars for navigation and collision avoidance.
• XTE (Cross Track Error) : The perpendicular distance a vessel has deviated from its planned track or course between two waypoints. It is a key parameter in navigation to ensure a vessel follows its intended route.
• Yard : A horizontal spar from which a square sail is suspended on a sailing ship.
• Yardarm : The outer extremities of a yard. Commonly referenced in phrases like “hanging from the yardarm” or “sun over the yardarm.”
• Yarr : A traditional acknowledgment of an order or agreement among sailors.
• Yaw : The motion of a vessel rotating about its vertical axis, causing the bow to swing from side to side.
• Yawl : A two-masted sailing vessel with the mizzen mast positioned aft of the rudder post.
• Zincs : Sacrificial anodes typically made of zinc, mounted on a boat’s hull to prevent galvanic corrosion by corroding themselves instead of the more important metal parts of the boat.
• Zephyr : A gentle, light breeze; often used in nautical contexts to describe mild winds that are favorable for sailing.

About the author

I worked as an officer in the deck department on various types of vessels, including oil and chemical tankers, LPG carriers, and even reefer and TSHD in the early years. Currently employed as Marine Surveyor carrying cargo, draft, bunker, and warranty survey.

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Nautical Terms and Definitions

ABAFT  – Toward the rear (stern) of the boat. Behind.

ABEAM  – At right angles to the keel of the boat, but not on the boat.

ABOARD  – On or within the boat.

ABOVE DECK  – On the deck (not over it – see ALOFT).

AFT  – Toward the stern of the boat.

AGROUND  – Touching or fast to the bottom.

AHEAD  – In a forward direction.

AIDS TO NAVIGATION (AtoN)  – Artificial objects to supplement natural landmarks to indicate safe and unsafe waters.

ALOFT  – Above the deck of the boat.

AMIDSHIPS  – In or toward the center of the boat.

ANCHOR  – A heavy metal device, fastened to a chain or line, to hold a vessel in position, partly because of its weight, but chiefly because the designed shape digs into the bottom.

ANCHORAGE  – A place suitable for anchoring in relation to the wind, seas and bottom.

ASTERN  – In back of the boat, opposite of ahead.

ATHWARTSHIPS  – At right angles to the centerline of the boat; rowboat seats are generally athwartships.

BATTEN DOWN  – Secure hatches and loose objects both within the hull and on deck.

BEACON  – A lighted or unlighted fixed aid to navigation attached directly to the earth’s surface. (Lights and daybeacons both constitute “beacons.”)

BEAM  – The greatest width of the boat.

BEARING  – The direction of an object expressed either as a true bearing as shown on the chart, or as a bearing relative to the heading of the boat.

BELOW  – Beneath the deck.

BIGHT  – The part of the rope or line, between the end and the standing part, on which a knot is formed. A shallow bay.

BILGE  – The interior of the hull below the floor boards.

BITTER END  – The last part of a rope or chain. The inboard end of the anchor rode.

BLOCK  – A wooden or metal case enclosing one or more pulleys and having a hook, eye, or strap by which it may be attached.

BOAT  – A fairly indefinite term. A waterborne vehicle smaller than a ship. One definition is a small craft carried aboard a ship.

BOAT HOOK  – A short shaft with a fitting at one end shaped to facilitate use in putting a line over a piling, recovering an object dropped overboard, or in pushing or fending off.

BOW  – The forward part of a boat.

BOW LINE  – A docking line leading from the bow.

BOW SPRING LINE  – A bow pivot line used in docking and undocking, or to prevent the boat from moving forward or astern while made fast to a pier.

BOWLINE KNOT  – A knot used to form a temporary loop in the end of a line.

BOWSPRIT  – A spar extending forward from the bow.

BRIDGE  – The location from which a vessel is steered and its speed controlled. “Control Station” is really a more appropriate term for small craft.

BULKHEAD  – A vertical partition separating compartments.

BUOY  – An anchored float used for marking a position on the water or a hazard or a shoal and for mooring.

CABIN  – A compartment for passengers or crew.

CAPSIZE  – To turn over.

CAST OFF  – To let go.

CATAMARAN  – A twin-hulled boat, with hulls side-by-side.

CHAFING GEAR  – Tubing or cloth wrapping used to protect a line from chafing on a rough surface.

CHANNEL –  1. That part of a body of water deep enough for navigation through an area otherwise not suitable. It is usually marked by a single or double line of buoys and sometimes by range markers. 2. The deepest part of a stream, bay, or strait, through which the main current flows. 3. A name given to a large strait, for example, the English Channel.

CHART  – A map for use by navigators.

CHINE  – The intersection of the bottom and sides of a flat or v-bottomed boat.

CHOCK  – A fitting through which anchor or mooring lines are led. Usually U-shaped to reduce chafe.

CLEAT  – A fitting to which lines are made fast. The classic cleat to which lines are belayed is approximately anvil-shaped.

CLOVE HITCH  – A knot for temporarily fastening a line to a spar or piling.

COAMING  – A vertical piece around the edge of a cockpit, hatch, etc. to prevent water on deck from running below.

COCKPIT  – An opening in the deck from which the boat is handled.

COIL  – To lay a line down in circular turns.

COMPASS  – Navigation instrument, either magnetic (showing magnetic north) or gyro (showing true north).

COMPASS CARD  – Part of a compass, the card is graduated in degrees, to conform with the magnetic meridian-referenced direction system inscribed with direction which remains constant; the vessel turns, not the card.

COMPASS ROSE  – The resulting figure when the complete 360° directional system is developed as a circle with each degree graduated upon it, and with the 000° indicated as True North. True North is also known as true rose. This is printed on nautical charts for determining direction.

CURRENT  – The horizontal movement of water.

DAYBEACON  – A fixed navigation aid structure used in shallow waters upon which is placed one or more daymarks.

DAYMARK  – A signboard attached to a daybeacon to convey navigational information presenting one of several standard shapes (square, triangle, rectangle) and colors (red, green, orange, yellow, or black). Daymarks usually have reflective material indicating the shape, but may also be lighted.

DEAD AHEAD  – Directly ahead.

DEAD ASTERN  – Directly aft or behind.

DEAD RECKONING  – A plot of courses steered and distances traveled through the water.

DECK  – A permanent covering over a compartment, hull or any part of a ship serving as a floor.

DISPLACEMENT  – The weight of water displaced by a floating vessel.

DISPLACEMENT HULL  – A type of hull that plows through the water, displacing a weight of water equal to its own weight, even when more power is added.

DOCK  – A protected water area in which vessels are moored. The term is often used to denote a pier or a wharf.

DRAFT  – The depth of water a boat draws.

EASE  – To slacken or relieve tension on a line.

EBB TIDE  – A receding tide.

EVEN KEEL  – When a boat is floating on its designed waterline, it is said to be floating on an even keel.

EYE OF THE WIND  – The direction from which the wind is blowing.

EYE SPLICE  – A permanent loop spliced in the end of a line.

FAST  – Said of an object that is secured to another.

FATHOM  – Six feet.

FENDER  – A cushion, placed between boats, or between a boat and a pier, to prevent damage.

FIGURE EIGHT KNOT  – A knot in the form of a figure eight, placed in the end of a line to prevent the line from passing through a grommet or a block.

FLAME ARRESTER  – A safety device, such as a metal mesh protector, to prevent an exhaust backfire from causing an explosion; operates by absorbing heat.

FLARE  – The outward curve of a vessel’s sides near the bow. A distress signal.

FLYING BRIDGE  – An added set of controls above the level of the normal control station for better visibility. Usually open, but may have a collapsible top for shade.

FOLLOWING SEA  – An overtaking sea that comes from astern.

FORE AND AFT  – In a line parallel to the keel.

FORWARD  – Toward the bow of the boat.

FOULED  – Any piece of equipment that is jammed or entangled, or dirtied.

FOUNDER  – when a vessel fills with water and sinks.

FREEBOARD  – The minimum vertical distance from the surface of the water to the gunwale.

GAFF . – A spar to support the head of a gaff sail.

GALLEY  – The kitchen area of a boat.

GANGWAY  – The area of a ship’s side where people board and disembark.

GEAR  – A general term for ropes, blocks, tackle and other equipment.

GIVE-WAY VESSEL  – A term, from the Navigational Rules, used to describe the vessel which must yield in meeting, crossing, or overtaking situations.

GRAB RAILS  – Hand-hold fittings mounted on cabin tops and sides for personal safety when moving around the boat.

GROUND TACKLE  – Anchor, anchor rode (line or chain), and all the shackles and other gear used for attachment.

GUNWALE  – The upper edge of a boat’s sides.

HARBOR  – A safe anchorage, protected from most storms; may be natural or man-made, with breakwaters and jetties; a place for docking and loading.

HATCH  – An opening in a boat’s deck fitted with a watertight cover.

HEAD  – A marine toilet. Also the upper corner of a triangular sail.

HEADING  – The direction in which a vessel’s bow points at any given time.

HEADWAY  – The forward motion of a boat. Opposite of sternway.

HEAVE TO  To bring a vessel up in a position where it will maintain little or no headway, usually with the bow into the wind or nearly so.

HEEL  – To tip to one side.

HELM  – The wheel or tiller controlling the rudder.

HITCH  – A knot used to secure a rope to another object or to another rope, or to form a loop or a noose in a rope.

HOLD  – A compartment below deck in a large vessel, used solely for carrying cargo.

HULL  – The main body of a vessel.

HYPOTHERMIA  – A life-threatening condition in which the body’s warming mechanisms fail to maintain normal body temperature and the entire body cools.

INBOARD  – More toward the center of a vessel; inside; a motor fitted inside the boat.

KEDGE  – To use an anchor to move a boat by hauling on the anchor rode; a basic anchor type.

KEEL  – The centerline of a boat running fore and aft; the backbone of a vessel.

KETCH  – A two-masted sailboat with the smaller after mast stepped ahead of the rudder post.

KNOT  – A measure of speed equal to one nautical mile (6076 feet) per hour. A fastening made by interweaving rope to form a stopper, to enclose or bind an object, to form a loop or a noose, to tie a small rope to an object, or to tie the ends of two small ropes together.

LEEWARD  – The direction away from the wind. Opposite of windward.

LEEWAY  – The sideways movement of the boat caused by either wind or current.

LINE  – Rope and cordage used aboard a vessel.

LOG  – A record of courses or operation. Also, a device to measure speed.

LUBBER’S LINE  – A mark or permanent line on a compass indicating the direction forward; parallel to the keel when properly installed.

MAST – A spar set upright to support rigging and sails.

MONOHULL  – A boat with one hull.

MOORING  – An arrangement for securing a boat to a mooring buoy or a pier.

MOORING BUOY  – A buoy secured to a permanent anchor sunk deeply into the bottom.

NAUTICAL MILE  – One minute of latitude; approximately 6076 feet – about 1/8 longer than the statute mile of 5280 feet.

NAVIGATION  – The art and science of conducting a boat safely from one point to another.

OUTBOARD  – Toward or beyond the boat’s sides. A detachable engine mounted on a boat’s stern.

OUTDRIVE  – A propulsion system for boats with an inboard engine operating an exterior drive, with drive shaft, gears, and propeller; also called stern-drive and inboard/outboard.

OVERBOARD  – Over the side or out of the boat.

PAINTER  – A line attached to the bow of a boat for use in towing or making fast.

PAY OUT  – To ease out a line, or let it run in a controlled manner.

PENNANT (sometimes PENDANT)  – The line by which a boat is made fast to a mooring buoy.

PERSONAL FLOTATION DEVICE (PFD)  – PDF is official terminology for life jacket. When properly used, the PDF will support a person in the water. Available in several sizes and types.

PIER  – A loading/landing platform extending at an angle from the shore.

PILOTING  – Navigation by use of visible references, the depth of the water, etc.

PITCH  – 1. The alternate rise and fall of the bow of a vessel proceeding through waves; 2. The theoretical distance advanced by a propeller in one revolution; 3. Tar and resin used for caulking between the planks of a wooden vessel. PITCHPOLING – A small boat being thrown end-over-end in very rough seas.

PLANING HULL  – A type of hull shaped to glide easily across the water at high speed.

PORT  – The left side of a boat looking forward. A harbor.

PROPELLER  – A rotating device, with two or more blades, that acts as a screw in propelling a vessel.

QUARTER  – The sides of a boat aft of amidships.

QUARTERING SEA  – Sea coming on a boat’s quarter.

REEF  – To reduce the sail area.

RIGGING  – The general term for all the lines of a vessel.

RODE  – The anchor line and/or chain.

ROLL  – The alternating motion of a boat, leaning alternately to port and starboard; the motion of a boat about its fore-and-aft axis.

ROPE  – In general, cordage as it is purchased at the store. When it comes aboard a vessel and is put to use, it becomes a line.

RUDDER  – A vertical plate or board for steering a boat.

RUNNING LIGHTS  – Lights required to be shown on boats underway between sundown and sunup.

SCOPE  – The ratio of the length of an anchor line, from a vessel’s bow to the anchor, to the depth of the water.

SCREW  – A boat’s propeller.

SEA ANCHOR  – Any device used to reduce a boat’s drift before the wind.

SECURE  – To make fast.

SHACKLE  – A “U” shaped connector with a pin or bolt across the open end.

SHEAR PIN  – A safety device, used to fasten a propeller to its shaft; it breaks when the propeller hits a solid object, thus preventing further damage.

SHEET BEND  – A knot used to join two ropes. Functionally different from a square knot in that it can be used between lines of different diameters.

SHIP  – A larger vessel usually used for ocean travel. A vessel able to carry a “boat” on board.

SHOAL  – An offshore hazard to navigation at a depth of 16 fathoms (30 meters or 96 feet) or less, composed of unconsolidated material.

SLACK  – Not fastened; loose. Also, to loosen.

SLOOP  – A single masted vessel with working sails (main and jib) set fore and aft.

SPLICE  – To permanently join two ropes by tucking their strands alternately over and under each other.

SPRING LINE  – A pivot line used in docking, undocking, or to prevent the boat from moving forward or astern while made fast to a dock.

SQUALL  – A sudden, violent wind often accompanied by rain.

SQUARE KNOT  – A knot used to join two lines of similar size. Also called a reef knot.

STANDING PART  – That part of a line which is made fast. The main part of a line as distinguished from the bight and the end.

STAND-ON VESSEL  – That vessel which continues its course in the same direction at the same speed during a crossing or overtaking situation, unless a collision appears imminent. (Was formerly called “the privileged vessel.”)

STARBOARD  – The right side of a boat when looking forward.

STERN  – The after part (back) of the boat.

STERN LINE  – A docking line leading away from the stern.

STOW  – To pack or store away; especially, to pack in an orderly, compact manner.

SWAMP  – To fill with water, but not settle to the bottom.

TACKLE  – A combination of blocks and line to increase mechanical advantage.

THWART  – A seat or brace running laterally across a boat.

TIDE  – The periodic rise and fall of water level in the oceans.

TILLER  – A bar or handle for turning a boat’s rudder or an outboard motor.

TOPSIDES  – The sides of a vessel between the waterline and the deck; sometimes referring to onto or above the deck.

TRANSOM  – The stern cross-section of a square-sterned boat.

TRIM  – Fore and aft balance of a boat.

TRIMARAN  – A boat with three hulls.

TRIPLINE  – A line fast to the crown of an anchor by means of which it can be hauled out when dug too deeply or fouled; a similar line used on a sea anchor to bring it aboard.

TRUE NORTH POLE  – The north end of the earth’s axis. Also called North Geographic Pole. The direction indicated by 000° (or 360°) on the true compass rose.

TRUE WIND  – The actual direction from which the wind is blowing.

TURNBUCKLE  – A threaded, adjustable rigging fitting, used for stays, lifelines and sometimes other rigging.

UNDERWAY  – Vessel in motion, i.e., when not moored, at anchor, or aground.

V BOTTOM  – A hull with the bottom section in the shape of a “V.”

VARIATION  – The angular difference between the magnetic meridian and the geographic meridian at a particular location.

VHF RADIO  – A very high frequency electronic communications and direction finding system.

WAKE  – Moving waves, track or path that a boat leaves behind when moving across the waters.

WATERLINE  – A line painted on a hull which shows the point to which a boat sinks when it is properly trimmed.

WAY  – Movement of a vessel through the water, such as headway, sternway, or leeway.

WHARF  – A man-made structure bonding the edge of a dock and built along or at an angle to the shoreline, used for loading, unloading, or tying up vessels.

WINCH  – A device used to increase hauling power when raising or trimming sails.

WINDWARD  – Toward the direction from which the wind is coming. Opposite of leeward.

YAW  – To swing off course, as when due to the impact of a following or quartering sea.

YAWL  – A two-masted sailboat with the small mizzen mast stepped abaft the rudder post.

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Racing Terms: Glossary for Newer Sailors

If you didn’t grow up sailing, how long did it take you to figure out what sailors mean when they say “put the bow down?” After hearing from newer sailors that the language of racing is hard to decipher, we decided to create a glossary of racing terms and phrases.

We chose racing terms and phrases that are likely to be obscure to newer sailors. To keep the list manageable, we did not include basic sailing terms, words defined in the racing rules, or racing terms applicable to big boats.

Our list is generally organized alphabetically, with a few related terms clustered.

Racing Terms and Phrases for Newer Sailors

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Sailing Terms from L-36.com – comprehensive list of terms, not limited to racing terms Nautical Language – Expressions from Our Seafaring Roots – not limited to racing terms

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