TERMDEFINITION
BowThe forward part of the boat
SternThe back of the boat (aft part of the boat)
StarboardWhen looking from the stern to the bow, the RIGHT side is called starboard
PortWhen looking from the stern to the bow, the LEFT side is called starboard
ForwardTowards the bow of the boat (Pronounced as Forrad – sailor terms)
AftTowards the stern of the boat
Three AsAhead Abeam Astern
BeamWidth of the boat at its widest point
QuarterThe side of the boat aft of the beam. There are 2 quarters in a boat – port quarter and starboard quarter
MastThe highest spar (Vertical pole) in the center of the boat
BoomThe horizontal spar that is attached to the mast to support the bottom part of the main sail
4 parts of the hull1. Deck 2. Bottom 3. Topsides (Free board) 4. Buoyancy tanks
Topsides a.k.a. FreeboardThe area of the boat between the waterline and the deck
Buoyancy tankswater tight compartments designed to reduce the possibility of the boat sinking
4 main parts of the boat1. Hull 2. Sails 3. Rudder 4. Keel
CockpitThe area in the deck where the steering controls (Tiller or wheel) are located
TransomThe vertical part of the stern
TillerSteering rod that controls the rudder
Tiller movementMove the tiller to the left (port) and the boat moves to the right (starboard)
Three TsTiller Towards Trouble should keep you out of trouble
WinchA device used to tighten a line
Keelweighted fin shaped appendage at the bottom of the boat
GooseneckSpecial hinge that connects the boom to the mast
Boom topping liftA line that connects the top of the mast to the end of the boom (to prevent the boom from falling when the mainsail is down)
Types of Rigging1. Standing Rigging 2. Running Rigging
Types of standing rigging1. Backstay 2. Forestay 3. Shrouds 4. Spreaders
BackstayA wire between the top of the mast to the stern
Backstay BridleOn some boats a V-shaped bridle is attached to the backstay, allowing the backstay to split
HeadstayA wire that runs between the bow to the top of the mast
ForestayWhen the forward stay (head stay) doesn’t reach the top of the mast, it is called the forestay
ShroudsWires from the mast to the sides of the boat (both port and starboard sides) to provide lateral stability
SpreaderHorizontal spars on the mast that spread the shrouds (present on both port and starboard sides)
ChainplatesA metal plate bolted to the side of the boat to which shrouds are attached. (each side has one)
Running riggingLines that control the sails of the boat
Types of Running rigging1. Halyard 2. Sheets 3. Boomvang 4. Outhaul 5. Reefing line
HalyardThe line used to raise the sail
SheetThe line used to adjust the sail against the force of the wind
No of sheetsThe mainsail has one sheet The jib has 2 sheets – windward and leeward sheets
BoomvangA line which places downward tension on the boom
OuthaulA line that places backward tension on the clew of the main sail
Reefing lineA line used to shorten the sail
MainsheetA line that trims the mainsail
BlockA block is a nautical term used for a pulley
3 common devices used to secure lines1. Cam Cleat 2. Deck Cleat 3. Rope clutch
Types of sails1. Main sail 2. jib sail (Foresail) 3. Genoa (Foresail)
HankThese are clips that fasten the sail to the stay
Jib sheetThe line that controls the jib
Types of foresails1. Jib 2. Genoa
GenoaTriangular sail attached to the forestay that overlaps the mainsail
Parts of a sail1. Luff 2. Leach 3. Foot
LuffThe edge of the sail that is closer to the bow of the boat (forward edge)
LeechIt is the back edge of the sail
RoachCurved portion at the edge of the sail
BattensPlastic or wooden strips that stabilize the roach
Corners of the sail1. Head 2. Clew 3. Tack
WHere is the clewThe clew is by the crew
6 terms that universally describe the direction of wind during sailing1. In Irons 2. Close haul 3. Close reaching 4. Beam reaching 5. Broad reaching 6. Running
Terms that describe heading up into the wind1. In Irons 2. Close haul 3. Close reaching
Term that describes wind coming at right angle or over the beam of the boatBeam reaching
Terms that describe sailing down wind1. Broad reaching 2. Running
In IronsSailing into the wind
Close haulSailing close to the direction of the wind
ReachingSailing with the wind coming across the boat
Close reachingOf the 3 reachings, close reach is the only one sailing up wind.
Beam reachingWind coming across the beam
Broad reachingSailing downwind
RunningSailing with the wind directly behind the boat
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