A
Aft
The stern is the back of the boat. Anything near the back of the boat is referred to as being “aft.”
B
Below
Underneath the deck of the boat.
Boom
A horizontal pole extending from the mast to the aft of the boat which holds the bottom of the sail.
Bow
The bow is the front of the boat. Anything near the front of the boat is referred to as being “forward.”
H
Heeling
When a sailboat leans over in the water as its pushed by the wind.
J
Jib
The sail forward (in front of) of the mast.
Jibe
Changing direction of the boat when the stern turns through the wind.
K
Keel
A fin on the bottom of the boat that sticks down into the water providing stability when the boat moves forward.
L
Leeward
The side of the boat away from the wind. When healing the boat over, this is the low side, or the “lee side.”
Lines
Ropes
M
Mainsail
A large triangular sail just aft (in back of) the sailboat’s mast.
Mast
A tall vertical spar (pole) which supports the sail and rigging of the boat.
P
Port
Facing forward, the left side of the boat.
Point of Sail
The boats direction relative to the wind. There are eight points of sail.
S
Starboard
Facing forward, this is the right side of the boat
T
Tack
This has two meanings. “Tacking” is changing the direction of the boat when the bow goes towards the wind. A “tack,” is also the forward bottom edge of the sail that attaches to the rigging.
W
Windward
The side of the boat closest to the wind.