sailboat short 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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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.
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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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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.

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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Nautical + Sailing Terms You Should Know [578 Phrases]

June 5, 2019 2:05 pm

A seaman’s jargon is among the most challenging to memorize. With over 500 terms used to communicate with a captain, crew, and sailors regarding navigation and more, there’s a word for nearly everything. No need to jump ship, this comprehensive list will have you speaking the lingo in no time.

Abaft the beam: A relative bearing of greater than 90 degrees from the bow. e.g. “two points abaft the port beam.”

Abaft: Toward the stern, relative to some object (“abaft the fore hatch”).

Abandon Ship: An imperative to leave the vessel immediately, usually in the face of some imminent danger.

Abeam: “On the beam”, a relative bearing at right angles to the centerline of the ship’s keel.

Aboard: On or in a vessel. Close aboard means near a ship.

Above board: On or above the deck, in plain view, not hiding anything.

Accommodation ladder: A portable flight of steps down a ship’s side.

Admiral: Senior naval officer of Flag rank. In ascending order of seniority, Rear Admiral, Vice Admiral, Admiral and Admiral of the Fleet (Royal Navy). Derivation reputedly Arabic, from “Emir al Bath” (“Ruler of the waters”).

Admiralty law: Body of law that deals with maritime cases. In the UK administered by the Probate, Divorce and Admiralty Division of the High Court of Justice.

Adrift: Afloat and unattached in any way to the shore or seabed. It may also imply that a vessel is not anchored and not under control, therefore goes where the wind and current take her, (loose from moorings, or out of place). Also refers to any gear not fastened down or put away properly. It can also be used to mean “absent without leave”.

Affreightment: Hiring of a vessel

Aft: Towards the stern (of the vessel).

Afterdeck: Deck behind a ship’s bridge

Afterguard: Men who work the aft sails on the quarterdeck and poop deck

Aground: Resting on or touching the ground or bottom.

Ahead: Forward of the bow.

Ahoy: A cry to draw attention. A term used to hail a boat or a ship, as “Boat ahoy!”.

Ahull: With sails furled and helm lashed to the lee-side.

Aid to Navigation: ( ATON) Any device external to a vessel or aircraft specifically intended to assist navigators in determining their position or safe course, or to warn them of dangers or obstructions to navigation.

All hands: Entire ship’s company, both officers and enlisted personnel.

All-Round White Light: On power-driven vessels less than 39.4 feet in length, this light may be used to combine a masthead light and sternlight into a single white light that can be seen by other vessels from any direction. This light serves as an anchor light when sidelights are extinguished.

Aloft: Above the ship’s uppermost solid structure; overhead or high above.

Alongside: By the side of a ship or pier.

Amidships (or midships): In the middle portion of the ship, along the line of the keel.

Anchor ball: Black shape hoisted in the forepart of a ship to show that ship is anchored in a fairway.

Anchor buoy: A small buoy secured by a light line to anchor to indicate the position of the anchor on the bottom.

Anchor chain or cable: Chain connecting the ship to the anchor.

Anchor detail: Group of men who handle ground tackle when the ship is anchoring or getting underway.

Anchor light: White light displayed by a ship at anchor. Two such lights are displayed by a ship over 150 feet (46 m) in length.

Anchor watch: Making sure that the anchor is holding and the vessel is not drifting. Important during rough weather and at night. Most marine GPS units have an Anchor Watch alarm capability.

Anchor: An object designed to prevent or slow the drift of a ship, attached to the ship by a line or chain; typically a metal, hook-like object, designed to grip the bottom under the body of water.

Anchorage: A suitable place for a ship to anchor. Area of a port or harbor.

Anchor’s aweigh: Said of an anchor when just clear of the bottom.

As the crow flies: A direct line between two points (which might cross land) which is the way crows travel rather than ships which must go around land.

Ashore: On the beach, shore or land.

Astern: Toward the stern; an object or vessel that is abaft another vessel or object.

ASW: Anti-submarine warfare.

Asylum Harbor: A harbor used to provide shelter from a storm.

Athwart, athwartships: At right angles to the fore and aft or centerline of a ship.

Avast: Stop! Cease or desist from whatever is being done.

Awash: So low in the water that the water is constantly washing across the surface.

Aweigh: Position of an anchor just clear of the bottom.

Aye, aye: Reply to an order or command to indicate that it, firstly, is heard; and, secondly, is understood and will be carried out. (“Aye, aye, sir” to officers).

Azimuth circle: Instrument used to take bearings of celestial objects.

Azimuth compass: An instrument employed for ascertaining the position of the sun with respect to magnetic north. The azimuth of an object is its bearing from the observer measured as an angle clockwise from true north.

Back and fill: To use the advantage of the tide being with you when the wind is not.

Backstays: Long lines or cables, reaching from the rear of the vessel to the mast heads, used to support the mast.

Baggywrinkle: A soft covering for cables (or any other obstructions) that prevents sail chafing from occurring.

Bale Cube (or Bale Capacity): The space available for cargo measured in cubic feet to the inside of the cargo battens, on the frames, and to the underside of the beams.

Ballaster: One who supplies ships with ballast.

Bank (sea floor): A large area of elevated sea floor.

Banyan: Traditional Royal Navy term for a day or shorter period of rest and relaxation.

Bar pilot: A bar pilot guides ships over the dangerous sandbars at the mouth of rivers and bays.

Bar: Large mass of sand or earth, formed by the surge of the sea. They are mostly found at the entrances of great rivers or havens, and often render navigation extremely dangerous, but confer tranquility once inside. See also: Touch and go, grounding. Alfred Lord Tennyson’s poem ‘Crossing the bar’ an allegory for death.

Bargemaster: Owner of a barge.

Barrelman: A sailor that was stationed in the crow’s nest.

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

Beam ends: The sides of a ship. “On her beam ends” may mean the vessel is literally on her side and possibly about to capsize; more often, the phrase means the vessel is listing 45 degrees or more.

Beam: The beam of a ship is its width at the widest point or a point alongside the ship at the mid-point of its length.

Bear away: Turn away from the wind, often with reference to a transit.

Bear down: Turn away from the wind, often with reference to a transit.

Bearing: The horizontal direction of a line of sight between two objects on the surface of the earth.

Bee: Hardwood on either side of bowsprit through which forestays are reeved

Before the mast: Literally, the area of a ship before the foremast (the forecastle). Most often used to describe men whose living quarters are located here, officers being housed behind (abaft) the mast and enlisted men before the mast. This was because the midships area where the officers were berthed is more stable, being closer to the center of gravity, and thus more comfortable. It is less subject to the up and down movement resulting from the ship’s pitching.

Belay: To secure a rope by winding on a pin or cleat

Belaying pins: Bars of iron or hardwood to which running rigging may be secured, or belayed.

Berth: A bed on a boat, or a space in a port or harbor where a vessel can be tied up.

Best bower (anchor): The larger of two anchors carried in the bow; so named as it was the last, best hope.

Bilge: The bilge is the compartment at the bottom of the hull of a ship or boat where water collects so that it may be pumped out of the vessel at a later time.

Bilged on her anchor: A ship that has run upon her own anchor.

Bimini: Weather-resistant fabric stretched over a stainless steel frame, fastened above the cockpit of a sailboat or flybridge of a power yacht which serves as a rain or sun shade.

Bimmy: A punitive instrument.

Binnacle list: A ship’s sick list. The list of men unable to report for duty was given to the officer or mate of the watch by the ship’s surgeon. The list was kept at the binnacle.

Binnacle: The stand on which the ship’s compass is mounted.

Bitter end: The anchor cable is tied to the bitts when the cable is fully paid out, the bitter end has been reached. The last part of a rope or cable.

Bitts: Posts mounted on a ship for fastening ropes

Bloody: An intensive derived from the substantive ‘blood’, a name applied to the Bucks, Scrowers, and Mohocks of the seventeenth centuries.

Blue Peter: A blue and white flag hoisted at the foretrucks of ships about to sail.

Boat: A craft or vessel designed to float on, and provide transport over, water.

Boatswain or bosun: A non-commissioned officer responsible for the sails, ropes, and boats on a ship who issues “piped” commands to seamen.

Bobstay: Rope used on ships to steady the bowsprit

Bollard: From “bol” or “bole”, the round trunk of a tree. A substantial vertical pillar to which lines may be made fast. Generally on the quayside rather than the ship.

Boltrope: Strong rope stitched to edges of a sail

Booby hatch: A sliding hatch or cover.

Booby: A type of bird that has little fear and therefore is particularly easy to catch, hence booby prize.

Boom vang: A sail control that lets one apply downward tension on the boom, countering the upward tension provided by the mainsail. The boom vang adds an element of control to mainsail shape when the mainsheet is let out enough that it no longer pulls the boom down. Boom vang tension helps control leech twist, a primary component of sail power.

Boom: A spar used to extend the foot of a fore-and-aft sail.

Booms: Masts or yards, lying on board in reserve.

Bosun: Boatswain

Bottomry: Pledging a ship as security in a financial transaction.

Bow: The front of a ship.

Bower: Anchor carried at bow of a ship

Bowline: A type of knot, producing a strong loop of a fixed size, topologically similar to a sheet bend. Also, a rope attached to the side of a sail to pull it towards the bow (for keeping the windward edge of the sail steady).

Bowse: To pull or hoist.

Bowsprit: A spar projecting from the bow used as an anchor for the forestay and other rigging.

Brail: To furl or truss a sail by pulling it in towards the mast, or the ropes used to do so.

Bream: To clean a ship’s bottom by burning off seaweed.

Bridge: A structure above the weather deck, extending the full width of the vessel, which houses a command center, itself called by association, the bridge.

Bring to: Cause a ship to be stationary by arranging the sails.

Broaching-to: A sudden movement in navigation, when the ship, while scudding before the wind, accidentally turns her leeward side to windward, also use to describe the point when water starts to come over the gunwale due to this turn.

Buffer: The chief bosun’s mate, responsible for discipline.

Bulkhead: An upright wall within the hull of a ship. Particularly a load bearing wall.

Bulwark: The extension of the ship’s side above the level of the weather deck.

Bumboat: A private boat selling goods.

Bumpkin: An iron bar (projecting outboard from a ship’s side) to which the lower and topsail brace blocks are sometimes hooked. Chains supporting/stabilizing the bowsprit.

Bunt: Middle of sail, fish-net or cloth when slack.

Buntline: One of the lines tied to the bottom of a square sail and used to haul it up to the yard when furling.

Buoy: A floating object of defined shape and color, which is anchored at a given position and serves as an aid to navigation.

Buoyed Up: Lifted by a buoy, especially a cable that has been lifted to prevent it from trailing on the bottom.

Burgee: Small ship’s flag used for identification or signaling.

By and Large: By means into the wind, while large means with the wind. By and large, is used to indicate all possible situations “the ship handles well both by and large”.

By the board: Anything that has gone overboard.

Cabin boy: attendant on passengers and crew.

Cabin: an enclosed room on a deck or flat.

Cable: A large rope; also a measure of length or distance. Equivalent to (UK) 1/10 nautical mile, approx. 600 feet; (USA) 120 fathoms, 720 feet (219 m); other countries use different values.

Cabotage: Shipping and sailing between points in the same country.

Camber: Slight arch or convexity to a beam or deck of a ship.

Canister: A type of anti-personnel cannon load in which lead balls or other loose metallic items were enclosed in a tin or iron shell. On firing the shell would disintegrate releasing the smaller metal objects.

Cape Horn fever: The name of the fake illness a malingerer is pretending to suffer from.

Capsize: When a ship or boat lists too far and rolls over, exposing the keel. On large vessels, this often results in the sinking of the ship.

Capstan: A huge rotating hub (wheel) mounted vertically and provided with horizontal holes to take up the capstan bars (when manually rotated), used to wind in anchors or other heavy objects; and sometimes to administer flogging over.

Captain’s daughter: The cat o’ nine tails, which in principle is only used on board on the captain’s (or a court martial’s) personal orders.

Careening: Cause the ship to tilt on its side, usually to clean or repair the hull below the water line.

Cargo Deadweight Tons: The weight remaining after deducting fuel, water, stores, dunnage and such other items necessary for use on a voyage from the deadweight of the vessel.

Carlin: Similar to a beam, except running in a fore and aft direction.

Cat Head: A beam extending out from the hull used to support an anchor when raised in order to secure or “fish” it.

Cat: To prepare an anchor, after raising it by lifting it with a tackle to the Cat Head, prior to securing (fishing) it alongside for sea. (An anchor raised to the Cat Head is said to be catted).

Catamaran: A vessel with two hulls.

Catboat: A cat-rigged vessel with only one sail, usually on a gaff.

Centreboard: A removable keel used to resist leeway.

Chafing Gear: Material applied to a line or spar to prevent or reduce chafing. See Baggywrinkle.

Chafing: Wear on the line or sail caused by constant rubbing against another surface.

Chain-wale or channel: A broad, thick plank that projects horizontally from each of a ship’s sides abreast a mast, distinguished as the fore, main, or mizzen channel accordingly, serving to extend the base for the shrouds, which supports the mast.

Chine: A relatively sharp angle in the hull, as compared to the rounded bottoms of most traditional boat hulls.

Chock: Metal casting with curved arms for passing ropes for mooring ship.

Chock-a-block: Rigging blocks that are so tight against one another that they cannot be further tightened.

Clean bill of health: A certificate issued by a port indicating that the ship carries no infectious diseases.

Clean slate: At the helm, the watch keeper would record details of speed, distances, headings, etc. on a slate. At the beginning of a new watch the slate would be wiped clean.

Cleat: A stationary device used to secure a rope aboard a vessel.

Clew: Corner of sail with a hole to attach ropes.

Clew-lines: Used to truss up the clews, the lower corners of square sails.

Club: hauling the ship drops one of its anchors at high speed to turn abruptly. This was sometimes used as a means to get a good firing angle on a pursuing vessel.

Coaming: The raised edge of a hatchway used to help keep out water.

Cocket: Official shipping seal; customs clearance form.

Cofferdam: Narrow vacant space between two bulkheads of a ship.

Cog: Single-masted, square-sailed ship with a raised stern.

Companionway: A raised and windowed hatchway in the ship’s deck, with a ladder leading below and the hooded entrance-hatch to the main cabins.

Compass:   Navigational instrument that revolutionized travel.

Complement: The full number of people required to operate a ship. Includes officers and crewmembers; does not include passengers.

Cordage: Ropes in the rigging of a ship.

Corrector: a device to correct the ship’s compass.

Courses: The mainsail, foresail, and mizzen.

Coxswain or cockswain: The helmsman or crew member in command of a boat.

Cringle: Loop at the corner of a sail to which a line is attached.

Crosstrees: Horizontal crosspieces at a masthead used to support ship’s mast.

Crow’s nest: Specifically a masthead constructed with sides and sometimes a roof to shelter the lookouts from the weather, generally by whaling vessels, this term has become a generic term for what is properly called masthead. See masthead.

Cube: The cargo carrying capacity of a ship, measured in cubic feet.

Cuddy: A small cabin in a boat.

Cunningham: A line invented by Briggs Cunningham, used to control the shape of a sail.

Cut and run: When wanting to make a quick escape, a ship might cut lashings to sails or cables for anchors, causing damage to the rigging, or losing an anchor, but shortening the time needed to make ready by bypassing the proper procedures.

Cut of his jib: The “cut” of a sail refers to its shape. Since this would vary between ships, it could be used both to identify a familiar vessel at a distance and to judge the possible sailing qualities of an unknown one.

Cut splice: A join between two lines, similar to an eye-splice, where each rope end is joined to the other a short distance along, making an opening which closes under tension.

Cutline: The “valley” between the strands of a rope or cable. Before serving a section of laid rope e.g. to protect it from chafing, it may be “wormed” by laying yarns in the cuntlines, giving that section an even cylindrical shape.

Daggerboard: A type of centerboard that is removed vertically.

Davit: Device for hoisting and lowering a boat.

Davy Jones (Locker): An idiom for the bottom of the sea.

Daybeacon: An unlighted fixed structure which is equipped with a dayboard for daytime identification.

Dayboard: The daytime identifier of an aid to navigation presenting one of several standard shapes (square, triangle, rectangle) and colors (red, green, white, orange, yellow, or black).

Deadeye: A round wooden plank which serves a similar purpose to a block in the standing rigging of large sailing vessels.

Deadrise: The design angle between the keel (q.v.) and horizontal.

Deadweight Tons (DWT): The difference between displacement, light and displacement, and loaded. A measure of the ship’s total carrying capacity.

Deadwood: Timbers built into ends of a ship when too narrow to permit framing.

Deckhand: A person whose job involves aiding the deck supervisor in (un)mooring, anchoring, maintenance, and general evolutions on deck.

Deck supervisor: The person in charge of all evolutions and maintenance on deck; sometimes split into two groups: forward deck supervisor, aft deck supervisor.

Deckhead: The under-side of the deck above. Sometimes paneled over to hide the pipework. This paneling, like that lining the bottom and sides of the holds, is the ceiling.

Decks: the structures forming the approximately horizontal surfaces in the ship’s general structure. Unlike flats, they are a structural part of the ship.

Demurrage: Delay of the vessel’s departure or loading with cargo.

Derrick: A lifting device composed of one mast or pole and a boom or jib which is hinged freely at the bottom.

Directional light: A light illuminating a sector or very narrow-angle and intended to mark a direction to be followed.

Displacement, Light: The weight of the ship excluding cargo, fuel, ballast, stores, passengers, and crew, but with water in the boilers to steaming level.

Displacement, Loaded: The weight of the ship including cargo, passengers, fuel, water, stores, dunnage and such other items necessary for use on a voyage, which brings the vessel down to her load draft.

Displacement: A measurement of the weight of the vessel, usually used for warships. Displacement is expressed either in long tons of 2,240 pounds or metric tons of 1,000 kg.

Disrate: To reduce in rank or rating; demote.

Dodger: Shield against rain or spray on a ship’s bridge.

Dog watch: A short watch period, generally half the usual time (e.g. a two-hour watch between two four hour ones). Such a watch might be included in order to slowly rotate the system over several days for fairness  or to allow both watches to eat their meals at approximately normal times.

Dolphin: A structure consisting of a number of piles driven into the seabed or riverbed in a circular pattern and drawn together with wire rope.

Downhaul: A line used to control either a mobile spar or the shape of a sail.

Draft, Air: Air Draft is the distance from the water line to the highest point on a ship (including antennas) while it is loaded.

Draft: The distance between the waterline and the keel of a boat; the minimum depth of water in which a boat will float.

Dressing down: Treating old sails with oil or wax to renew them, or a verbal reprimand.

Driver: The large sail flown from the mizzen gaff.

Driver-mast: The fifth mast of a six-masted barquentine or gaff schooner. It is preceded by the jigger mast and followed by the spanker mast. The sixth mast of the only seven-masted vessel, the gaff schooner Thomas W. Lawson, was normally called the pusher-mast.

Dromond: Large single-sailed ship powered by rowers.

Dunnage: Loose packing material used to protect a ship’s cargo from damage during transport. Personal baggage.

Dyogram: Ship’s chart indicating compass deflection due to ship’s iron.

Earrings: Small lines, by which the uppermost corners of the largest sails are secured to the yardarms.

Embayed: The condition where a sailing vessel is confined between two capes or headlands, typically where the wind is blowing directly onshore.

Ensign: Large naval flag.

Escutcheon: Part of ship’s stern where name is displayed.

Extremis (also known as “in extremis”): The point under International Rules of the Road (Navigation Rules) at which the privileged (or stand-on) vessel on a collision course with a burdened (or give-way) vessel determines it must maneuver to avoid a collision. Prior to extremes, the privileged vessel must maintain course and speed and the burdened vessel must maneuver to avoid a collision.

Fairlead: Ring through which rope is led to change its direction without friction.

Fardage: Wood placed in the bottom of the ship to keep cargo dry.

Fathom: A unit of length equal to 6 feet (1.8 m), roughly measured as the distance between a man’s outstretched hands.

Fender: An air or foam filled bumper used in boating to keep boats from banging into docks or each other.

Fiddley: Iron framework around hatchway opening.

Figurehead: Symbolic image at the head of a traditional sailing ship or early steamer.

Fireship: A ship loaded with flammable materials and explosives and sailed into an enemy port or fleet either already burning or ready to be set alight by its crew (who would then abandon it) in order to collide with and set fire to enemy ships.

First Lieutenant: In the Royal Navy, the senior lieutenant on board; responsible to the Commander for the domestic affairs of the ship’s company. Also known as ‘Jimmy the One’ or ‘Number One’. Removes his cap when visiting the mess decks as a token of respect for the privacy of the crew in those quarters. Officer i/c cables on the forecastle. In the U.S. Navy the senior person in charge of all Deckhands.

First Mate: The Second in command of a ship.

Fish: To repair a mast or spar with a fillet of wood. To secure an anchor on the side of the ship for sea,otherwise known as “catting”.

Flag hoist: A number of signal flags strung together to convey a message, e.g. “England expects…”.

Flagstaff: Flag pole at the stern of a ship.

Flank: The maximum speed of a ship. Faster than “full speed”.

Flatback: A Great Lakes slang term for a vessel without any self-unloading equipment.

Flemish Coil: A line coiled around itself to neaten the decks or dock.

Flog: To beat, to punish.

Fluke: The wedge-shaped part of an anchor’s arms that digs into the bottom.

Fly by night: A large sail used only for sailing downwind, requiring little attention.

Following sea: Wave or tidal movement going in the same direction as a ship.

Foot: The bottom of a sail.

Footloose: If the foot of a sail is not secured properly, it is footloose, blowing around in the wind.

Footrope: Each yard on a square-rigged sailing ship is equipped with a footrope for sailors to stand on while setting or stowing the sails.

Fore: Towards the bow (of the vessel).

Forebitt: Post for fastening cables at a ship’s foremast.

Forecabin: Cabin in the fore part of a ship.

Forecastle: A partial deck, above the upper deck and at the head of the vessel; traditionally the sailors living quarters. Pronounced “foc-sle”. The name is derived from the castle fitted to bear archers in time of war.

Forefoot: The lower part of the stem of a ship.

Foremast: Mast nearest the bow of a ship

Foresail: The lowest sail set on the foremast of a square-rigged ship.

Forestays: Long lines or cables, reaching from the front of the vessel to the mast heads, used to support the mast.

Forward: The area towards the bow.

Founder: To fill with water and sink → Wiktionary.

Frap: To draw a sail tight with ropes or cables.

Freeboard: The height of a ship’s hull (excluding superstructure) above the waterline. The vertical distance from the current waterline to the lowest point on the highest continuous watertight deck. This usually varies from one part to another.

Full and by: Sailing into the wind (by), but not as close-hauled as might be possible, so as to make sure the sails are kept full. This provides a margin for error to avoid being taken aback (a serious risk for square-rigged vessels) in a tricky sea. Figuratively it implies getting on with the job but in a steady, relaxed way, without undue urgency or strain.

Furl: To roll or wrap a sail around the mast or spar to which it is attached.

Futtock: Rib of a ship.

Gaff: The spar that holds the upper edge of a fore-and-aft or gaff sail. Also, a long hook with a sharp point to haul fish in.

Gaff-topsail: Triangular topsail with its foot extended upon the gaff.

Galley: The kitchen of the ship.

Gangplank: A movable bridge used in boarding or leaving a ship at a pier; also known as a “brow”.

Gangway: Either of the sides of the upper deck of a ship

Garbled: Garbling was the (illegal) practice of mixing cargo with garbage.

Garboard: The strake closest to the keel (from Dutch gaarboard).

Genoa: Large jib that overlaps the mainsail

Global Positioning System (GPS): A satellite-based radio navigation system providing continuous worldwide coverage. It provides navigation, position, and timing information to air, marine, and land users.

Grain Cube (or Grain Capacity): The maximum space available for cargo measured in cubic feet, the measurement being taken to the inside of the shell plating of the ship or to the outside of the frames and to the top of the beam or underside of the deck plating.

Grapnel: Small anchor used for dragging or grappling.

Gross Tons: The entire internal cubic capacity of the ship expressed in tons of 100 cubic feet to the ton, except certain spaces which are exempted such as: peak and other tanks for water ballast, open forecastle bridge and poop, access of hatchways, certain light and air spaces, domes of skylights, condenser, anchor gear, steering gear, wheelhouse, galley and cabin for passengers.

Groundage: A charge on a ship in port.

Gudgeon: Metal socket into which the pintle of a boat’s rudder fits.

Gunnage: Number of guns carried on a warship.

Gunwhale: Upper edge of the hull.

Gybe: To swing a sail from one side to another.

Halyard or Halliard: Originally, ropes used for hoisting a spar with a sail attached; today, a line used to raise the head of any sail.

Hammock: Canvas sheets, slung from the deckhead in mess decks, in which seamen slept. “Lash up and stow” a piped command to tie up hammocks and stow them (typically) in racks inboard of the ship’s side to protect the crew from splinters from shot and provide a ready means of preventing flooding caused by damage.

Hand Bomber: A ship using coal-fired boilers shoveled in by hand.

Handsomely: With a slow even motion, as when hauling on a line “handsomely.”

Hank: A fastener attached to the luff of the headsail that attaches the headsail to the forestay. Typical designs include a bronze or plastic hook with a spring-operated gate or a strip of cloth webbing with a snap fastener.

Harbor: A harbor or haven is a place where ships may shelter from the weather or are stored. Harbors can be man-made or natural.

Haul wind: To point the ship so as to be heading in the same direction as the wind, generally not the fastest point of travel on a sailing vessel.

Hawse: Distance between ship’s bow and its anchor.

Hawse-hole: A hole in a ship’s bow for a cable or chain, such as for an anchor, to pass through.

Hawsepiper: An informal maritime industry term used to refer to a merchant ship’s officer who began his or her career as an unlicensed merchant seaman and did not attend a traditional maritime college/academy to earn the officer license.

Hawser: Large rope for mooring or towing a ship.

Head of navigation: A term used to describe the farthest point above the mouth of a river that can be navigated by ships.

Head: The toilet or latrine of a vessel, which for sailing ships projected from the bows.

Headsail: Any sail flown in front of the most forward mast.

Heave down: Turn a ship on its side (for cleaning).

Heave: A vessel’s transient up-and-down motion.

Heaving to: To stop a sailing vessel by lashing the helm in opposition to the sails. The vessel will gradually drift to leeward, the speed of the drift depending on the vessel’s design.

Heeling: The lean caused by the wind’s force on the sails of a sailing vessel.

Helm: Ship’s steering wheel.

Helmsman: A person who steers a ship.

Hogging or hog: The distortion of the hull where the ends of the keel are lower than the center.

Hold: In earlier use, below the orlop deck, the lower part of the interior of a ship’s hull, especially when considered as storage space, as for cargo. In later merchant vessels, it extended up through the decks to the underside of the weather deck.

Holiday: A gap in the coverage of newly applied paint, slush, tar, or other preservatives.

Holystone: Sandstone material used to scrape ships’ decks

Horn: A sound signal which uses electricity or compressed air to vibrate a disc diaphragm.

Horse: Attachment of sheets to the deck of the vessel (Main-sheet horse).

Hounds: Attachments of stays to masts.

Hull: The shell and framework of the basic flotation-oriented part of a ship.

Hydrofoil: A boat with wing-like foils mounted on struts below the hull.

Icing: A serious hazard where cold temperatures (below about -10°C) combined with high wind speed (typically force 8 or above on the Beaufort scale) result in spray blown off the sea freezing immediately on contact with the ship.

Idlers: Members of a ship’s company not required to serve watches. These were in general specialist tradesmen such as the carpenter and the sailmaker.

In Irons: When the bow of a sailboat is headed into the wind and the boat has stalled and is unable to maneuver.

In the offing: In the water visible from on board a ship, now used to mean something imminent.

Inboard: Inside the line of a ship’s bulwarks or hull.

Inboard-Outboard drive system: A larger Power Boating alternative drive system to transom mounted outboard motors.

Jack: Ship’s flag flown from jack-staff at the bow of a vessel.

Jack-block: Pulley system for raising topgallant masts.

Jack-cross-tree: Single iron cross-tree at the head of a topgallant mast.

Jacklines or Jack Stays: Lines, often steel wire with a plastic jacket, from the bow to the stern on both port and starboard. The Jack Lines are used to clip on the safety harness to secure the crew to the vessel while giving them the freedom to walk on the deck.

Jackstaff: Short staff at ship’s bow from which the jack is hoisted.

Jackyard: Spar used to spread the foot of a gaff-topsail

Jib: A triangular staysail at the front of a ship.

Jibboom: Spar forming an extension of the bowsprit.

Jibe: To change a ship’s course to make the boom shift sides.

Jigger-mast: The fourth mast, although ships with four or more masts were uncommon, or the aft-most mast where it is smallest on vessels of less than four masts.

Junk: Old cordage past its useful service life as lines aboard ship. The strands of old junk were teased apart in the process called picking oakum.

Jurymast: Mast erected on a ship in place of one lost.

Kedge: Small anchor to keep a ship steady.

Keel: A boat’s backbone; the lowest point of the boat’s hull, the keel provides strength, stability and prevents sideways drift of the boat in the water.

Keel: The central structural basis of the hull.

Keelson: Lengthwise wooden or steel beam in ship for bearing stress.

Kentledge: Pig-iron used as ballast in ship’s hold.

Killick: A small anchor. A fouled killick is the substantive badge of non-commissioned officers in the RN. Seamen promoted to the first step in the promotion ladder are called “Killick”. The badge signifies that here is an Able Seaman skilled to cope with the awkward job of dealing with a fouled anchor.

Ladder: On board a ship, all “stairs” are called ladders, except for literal staircases aboard passenger ships. Most “stairs” on a ship are narrow and nearly vertical, hence the name. Believed to be from the Anglo-Saxon word “hiaeder”, meaning ladder.

Lagan: Cargo jettisoned from the ship but marked by buoys for recovery.

Laker: Great Lakes slang for a vessel who spends all its time on the 5 Great Lakes.

Landlubber: A person unfamiliar with being on the sea.

Lanyard: Rope or line for fastening something in a ship.

Larboard: The left side of the ship.Derived from the old ‘lay-board’ providing access between a ship and a quay.

Lastage: Room for stowing goods in a ship.

Lateen: Triangular sail rigged on ship’s spar.

Lateral System: A system of aids to navigation in which characteristics of buoys and beacons indicate the sides of the channel or route relative to a conventional direction of buoyage (usually upstream).

Laveer: To sail against the wind.

Lay down: To lay a ship down is to begin construction in a shipyard.

Lay: To come and go, used in giving orders to the crew, such as “lay forward” or “lay aloft”. To direct the course of the vessel. Also, to twist the strands of a rope together.

Lazaret: Space in ship between decks used for storage.

League: A unit of length, normally equal to three nautical miles.

Lee shore: A shore downwind of a ship. A ship which cannot sail well to windward risks being blown onto a lee shore and grounded.

Lee side: The side of a ship sheltered from the wind (opposite the weather side or windward side).

Leeboard: Wood or metal planes attached to the hull to prevent leeway.

Leech: The aft or trailing edge of a fore-and-aft sail; the leeward edge of a spinnaker; a vertical edge of a square sail. The leech is susceptible to twist, which is controlled by the boom vang and mainsheet.

Lee helm: If the helm was centered, the boat would turn away from the wind (to the lee). Consequently, the tiller must be pushed to the lee side of the boat in order to make the boat sail in a straight line.

Leeward: In the direction that the wind is blowing towards.

Leeway: The angle that a ship is blown leeward by the wind. See also “weatherly”.

Length at Waterline (LWL): The ship’s length measured at the waterline.

Length Overall (LOA): The maximum length of the ship.

Length: The distance between the forwardmost and aftermost parts of the ship.

Let go and haul: An order indicating that the ship is in line with the wind.

Lifeboat: A small steel or wood boat located near the stern of a vessel. Used to get the crew to safety if something happens to the mothership.

Line: The correct nautical term for the majority of the cordage or “ropes” used on a vessel. A line will always have a more specific name, such as mizzen topsail halyard, which describes its use.

Liner: Ship of The Line: a major warship capable of taking its place in the main (battle) line of fighting ships. Hence the modern term for most prestigious passenger vessel: Liner.

List: The vessel’s angle of lean or tilt to one side, in the direction called the roll.

Loggerhead: An iron ball attached to a long handle, used for driving caulking into seams and (occasionally) in a fight. Hence: “at loggerheads”.

Loxodograph: Device used to record the ship’s travels.

Lubber’s line: A vertical line inside a compass case indicating the direction of the ship’s head.

Luff: The forward edge of a sail. To head a sailing vessel more towards the direction of the wind.

Luffing: When a sailing vessel is steered far enough to windward that the sail is no longer completely filled with wind. The flapping of the sail(s) which results from having no wind in the sail at all.

Lugsail: Four-sided sail bent to an obliquely hanging yard.

Lutchet: Fitting on ship’s deck to allow the mast to pivot to pass under bridges.

Lying ahull: Waiting out a storm by dousing all sails and simply letting the boat drift.

Mainbrace: The brace attached to the mainmast.

Mainmast (or Main): The tallest mast on a ship.

Mainsail: Principal sail on a ship’s mainmast.

Mainsheet: Sail control line that allows the most obvious effect on mainsail trim. Primarily used to control the angle of the boom, and thereby the mainsail, this control can also increase or decrease downward tension on the boom while sailing upwind, significantly affecting sail shape. For more control over downward tension on the boom, use a boom vang.

Mainstay: Stay that extends from the main-top to the foot of the foremast.

Man overboard: A cry let out when a seaman has gone overboard.

Manrope: Rope used as a handrail on a ship.

Marina: A docking facility for small ships and yachts.

Martingale: Lower stay of rope used to sustain the strain of the forestays.

Mast: A vertical pole on a ship which supports sails or rigging.

Master: Either the commander of a commercial vessel, or a senior officer of a naval sailing ship in charge of routine seamanship and navigation but not in command during combat.

Masthead Light: This white light shines forward and to both sides and is required on all power-driven vessels.

Masthead: A small platform partway up the mast, just above the height of the mast’s main yard. A lookout is stationed here, and men who are working on the main yard will embark from here. See also Crow’s Nest.

Matelot: A traditional Royal Navy term for an ordinary sailor.

Mess: An eating place aboard ship. A group of the crew who live and feed together.

Midshipman: A non-commissioned officer below the rank of Lieutenant. Usually regarded as being “in training” to some degree.

Mizzen staysail: Sail on a ketch or yawl, usually lightweight, set from, and forward of, the mizzen mast while reaching in light to moderate air.

Mizzen: Three-masted vessel; aft sail of such a vessel.

Monkey fist: A ball woven out of line used to provide heft to heave the line to another location. The monkey fist and other heaving-line knots were sometimes weighted with lead (easily available in the form of foil used to seal e.g. tea chests from dampness) although Clifford W. Ashley notes that there was a “definite sporting limit” to the weight thus added.

Moonraker: Topmost sail of a ship, above the skyscraper.

Moor: To attach a boat to a mooring buoy or post. Also, to a dock a ship.

Navigation rules: Rules of the road that provide guidance on how to avoid collision and also used to assign blame when a collision does occur.

Net Tons: Obtained from the gross tonnage by deducting crew and navigating spaces and allowances for propulsion machinery.

Nipper: Short rope used to bind a cable to the “messenger” (a moving line propelled by the capstan) so that the cable is dragged along too (Used because the cable is too large to be wrapped around the capstan itself). During the raising of an anchor, the nippers were attached and detached from the (endless) messenger by the ship’s boys. Hence the term for small boys: “nippers”.

Oakum: Old ropes untwisted for caulking the seams of ships.

Oreboat: Great Lakes Term for a vessel primarily used in the transport of iron ore.

Orlop deck: The lowest deck of a ship of the line. The deck covering in the hold.

Outhaul: A line used to control the shape of a sail.

Outrigger: Spar extended from the side of the ship to help secure mast.

Outward bound: To leave the safety of the port, heading for the open ocean.

Overbear: To sail downwind directly at another ship, stealing the wind from its sails.

Overfall: Dangerously steep and breaking seas due to opposing currents and wind in a shallow area.

Overhaul: Hauling the buntline ropes over the sails to prevent them from chaffing.

Overhead: The “ceiling,” or, essentially, the bottom of the deck above you.

Overreach: When tacking, to hold a course too long.

Overwhelmed: Capsized or foundered.

Owner: Traditional Royal Navy term for the Captain, a survival from the days when privately-owned ships were often hired for naval service.

Ox-Eye: A cloud or other weather phenomenon that may be indicative of an upcoming storm.

Painter: Rope attached to the bow of a boat to attach it to a ship or a post.

Pallograph: Instrument measuring ship’s vibration.

Parrel: A movable loop, used to fasten the yard to its respective mast.

Patroon: Captain of a ship; coxswain of a longboat.

Pay: Fill a seam (with caulking or pitch), or to lubricate the running rigging; pay with slush (q.v.), or protect from the weather by covering with slush. See also: The Devil to pay. (French from paix, pitch).

Paymaster: The officer responsible for all money matters in RN ships including the paying and provisioning of the crew, all stores, tools, and spare parts. See also: purser.

Pilot: Navigator. A specially knowledgeable person qualified to navigate a vessel through difficult waters, e.g. harbor pilot, etc.

Pipe (Bos’n’s), or a Bos’n’s Call: A whistle used by Boatswains (bosuns or bos’ns) to issue commands. Consisting of a metal tube which directs the breath over an aperture on the top of a hollow ball to produce high pitched notes. The pitch of the notes can be changed by partly covering the aperture with the finger of the hand in which the pipe is held. The shape of the instrument is similar to that of a smoking pipe.

Pipe down: A signal on the bosun’s pipe to signal the end of the day, requiring lights (and smoking pipes) to be extinguished and silence from the crew.

Piping the side: A salute on the bos’n’s pipe(s) performed in the company of the deck watch on the starboard side of the quarterdeck or at the head of the gangway, to welcome or bid farewell to the ship’s Captain, senior officers and honored visitors.

Pitch: A vessel’s motion, rotating about the beam axis, so the bow pitches up and down.

Pitchpole: To capsize a boat end over end, rather than by rolling over.

Pontoon: A flat-bottomed vessel used as a ferry or a barge or float moored alongside a jetty or a ship to facilitate boarding.

Poop deck: A high deck on the aft superstructure of a ship.

Port: Towards the left-hand side of the ship facing forward (formerly Larboard). Denoted with a red light at night.

Preventer (Gybe preventer, Jibe preventer): A sail control line originating at some point on the boom leading to a fixed point on the boat’s deck or rail (usually a cleat or pad eye) used to prevent or moderate the effects of an accidental jibe.

Primage: Fee paid to loaders for loading ship.

Privateer: A privately-owned ship authorized by a national power (by means of a Letter of Marque) to conduct hostilities against an enemy. Also called a private man of war.

Propeller walk or prop walk: Tendency for a propeller to push the stern sideways. In theory, a right-hand propeller in reverse will walk the stern to port.

Prow: A poetical alternative term for bows.

Purser: Ship’s officer in charge of finances and passengers.

Quarterdeck: The aftermost deck of a warship. In the age of sail, the quarterdeck was the preserve of the ship’s officers.

Quartering: Sailing nearly before the wind.

Quayside: Refers to the dock or platform used to fasten a vessel to.

Radar reflector: A special fixture fitted to a vessel or incorporated into the design of certain aids to navigation to enhance their ability to reflect radar energy. In general, these fixtures will materially improve the visibility for use by vessels with radar.

Radar: Acronym for Radio Detection And Ranging. An electronic system designed to transmit radio signals and receive reflected images of those signals from a “target” in order to determine the bearing and distance to the “target”.

Rake: The inclination of a mast or another part of a ship.

Range lights: Two lights associated to form a range (a line formed by the extension of a line connecting two charted points) which often, but not necessarily, indicates the channel centerline. The front range light is the lower of the two, and nearer to the mariner using the range. The rear light is higher and further from the mariner.

Ratlines: Rope ladders permanently rigged from bulwarks and tops to the mast to enable access to topmasts and yards. Also, serve to provide lateral stability to the masts.

Reach: A point of sail from about 60° to about 160° off the wind. Reaching consists of “close reaching” (about 60° to 80°), “beam reaching” (about 90°) and “broad reaching” (about 120° to 160°).

Reef points: Small lengths of cord attached to a sail, used to secure the excess fabric after reefing.

Reef: To temporarily reduce the area of a sail exposed to the wind, usually to guard against adverse effects of strong wind or to slow the vessel.

Reef-bands: Long pieces of rough canvas sewed across the sails to give them additional strength.

Reef-tackles: Ropes employed in the operation of reefing.

Reeve: To pass a rope through a ring.

Rigging: the system of ropes, cables, or chains employed to support a ship’s masts and to control or set the yards and sails.

Righting couple: The force which tends to restore a ship to equilibrium once a heel has altered the relationship between her center of buoyancy and her center of gravity.

Rigol: The rim or ‘eyebrow’ above a port-hole or scuttle.

Roach: Curved cut in the edge of sail for preventing chafing.

Roband: Piece of yarn used to fasten a sail to a spar.

Roll: A vessel’s motion rotating from side to side, about the fore-aft axis. List (qv) is a lasting tilt in the roll direction.

Rolling-tackle: A number of pulleys, engaged to confine the yard to the weather side of the mast; this tackle is much used in a rough sea.

Rostrum: Spike on the prow of warship for ramming.

Rowlock: Contrivance serving as a fulcrum for an oar.

Royal: Small sail on the royal mast just above topgallant sail.

Running rigging: Rigging used to manipulate sails, spars, etc. in order to control the movement of the ship. Cf. standing rigging.

Sailing Certification : An acknowledgment of a sailing competence from an established sailing educational body (like NauticEd).

Sail-plan: A set of drawings showing various sail combinations recommended for use in various situations.

Saltie: Great Lakes term for a vessel that sails the oceans.

Sampson post: A strong vertical post used to support a ship’s windlass and the heel of a ship’s bowsprit.

Scandalize: To reduce the area of a sail by expedient means (slacking the peak and tricing up the tack) without properly reefing it.

Scud: To sail swiftly before a gale.

Scudding: A term applied to a vessel when carried furiously along by a tempest.

Scuppers: An opening on the side rail that allows water to run off the deck.

Scuttle: A small opening, or lid thereof, in a ship’s deck or hull. To cut a hole in, or sink something.

Scuttlebutt: Cask of drinking water aboard a ship; rumour, idle gossip.

Scuttles: Portholes on a ship.

Sea anchor: A stabilizer deployed in the water for heaving to in heavy weather. It acts as a brake and keeps the hull in line with the wind and perpendicular to waves.

Sea chest: A valve on the hull of the ship to allow water in for ballast purposes.

Seaman: Generic term for a sailor.

Seaworthy: Certified for, and capable of, safely sailing at sea.

Self-Unloader: Great Lakes slang term for a vessel with a conveyor or some other method of unloading the cargo without shoreside equipment.

Shaft Horsepower (SHP): The amount of mechanical power delivered by the engine to a propeller shaft. One horsepower is equivalent to 746 watts in the SI system of units.

Shakes: Pieces of barrels or casks broken down to save space. They are worth very little, leading to the phrase “no great shakes”.

Sheer: The upward curve of a vessel’s longitudinal lines as viewed from the side.

Sheet: A rope used to control the setting of a sail in relation to the direction of the wind.

Ship: Strictly, a three-masted vessel square-rigged on all three masts, though generally used to describe most medium or large vessels. Derived from the Anglo-Saxon word “scip”.

Ship’s bell: Striking the ship’s bell is the traditional method of marking time and regulating the crew’s watches.

Ship’s company: The crew of a ship.

Shoal: Shallow water that is a hazard to navigation.

Shrouds: Standing rigging running from a mast to the sides of ships.

Sickbay: The compartment reserved for medical purposes.

Sidelights: These red and green lights are called sidelights (also called combination lights) because they are visible to another vessel approaching from the side or head-on. The red light indicates a vessel’s port (left) side; the green indicates a vessel’s starboard (right) side.

Siren: A sound signal which uses electricity or compressed air to actuate either a disc or a cup-shaped rotor.

Skeg: Part of ship connecting the keel with the bottom of the rudderpost.

Skipper: The captain of a ship.

Skysail: A sail set very high, above the royals. Only carried by a few ships.

Skyscraper: A small, triangular sail, above the skysail. Used in light winds on a few ships.

Slipway: Ramp sloping into the water for supporting a ship.

Slop chest: A ship’s store of merchandise, such as clothing, tobacco, etc., maintained aboard merchant ships for sale to the crew.

Small bower (anchor): The smaller of two anchors carried in the bow.

Snotty: Naval midshipman.

Sonar: A sound-based device used to detect and range underwater targets and obstacles. Formerly known as ASDIC.

Spanker: Sail on the mast nearest the stern of a square-rigged ship.

Spanker-mast: The aft-most mast of a fore-and-aft or gaff-rigged vessel such as schooners, barquentines, and barques. A full-rigged ship has a spanker sail but not a spanker-mast (see Jigger-mast).

Spar: A wooden, in later years also iron or steel pole used to support various pieces of rigging and sails. The big five-masted full-rigged tall ship Preussen (German spelling: Preußen) had crossed 30 steel yards, but only one wooden spar—the little gaffe of its spanker sail.

Spindrift: Finely-divided water swept from the crest of waves by strong winds.

Spinnaker pole: A spar used to help control a spinnaker or other headsail.

Spinnaker: A large sail flown in front of the vessel while heading downwind.

Spirketing: Inside planking between ports and waterways of a ship.

Splice: To join lines (ropes, cables, etc.) by unraveling their ends and intertwining them to form a continuous line. To form an eye or a knot by splicing.

Sponson: Platform jutting from ship’s deck for gun or wheel.

Sprit: Spar crossing a fore-and-aft sail diagonally.

Spritsail: Sail extended by a sprit.

Squared away: Yards held rigidly perpendicular to their masts and parallel to the deck. This was rarely the best trim of the yards for efficiency but made a pretty sight for inspections and in the harbor. The term is applied to situations and to people figuratively to mean that all difficulties have been resolved or that the person is performing well and is mentally and physically prepared.

Squat effect: Is the phenomenon by which a vessel moving quickly through shallow water creates an area of lowered pressure under its keel that reduces the ship’s buoyancy, particularly at the bow. The reduced buoyancy causes the ship to “squat” lower in the water than would ordinarily be expected.

Standing rigging: Rigging which is used to support masts and spars, and is not normally manipulated during normal operations. Cf. running rigging.

Starboard: Towards the right-hand side of a vessel facing forward. Denoted with a green light at night. Derived from the old steering oar or ‘steerboard’ which preceded the invention of the rudder.

Starbolins: Sailors of the starboard watch.

Starter: A rope used as a punitive device.

Stay: Rigging running fore (forestay) and aft (backstay) from a mast to the hull.

Staysail: A sail whose luff is attached to a forestay.

Steering oar or steering board: A long, flat board or oar that went from the stern to well underwater, used to control the vessel in the absence of a rudder.

Steeve: To set a ship’s bowsprit at an upward inclination.

Stem: The extension of the keel at the forward of a ship.

Stemson: Supporting timber of a ship.

Stern tube: The tube under the hull to bear the tail shaft for propulsion (usually at the stern).

Stern: The rear part of a ship, technically defined as the area built up over the sternpost, extending upwards from the counter to the taffrail.

Sternlight: This white light is seen only from behind or nearly behind the vessel.

Sternpost: Main member at the stern of a ship extending from keel to deck.

Sternway: Movement of a ship backward.

Stevedore: Dock worker who loads and unloads ships.

Stokehold: Ship’s furnace chamber.

Strake: One of the overlapping boards in a clinker-built hull.

Studding-sails (pronounced “stunsail”): Long and narrow sails, used only in fine weather, on the outside of the large square sails.

Stunsail: Light auxiliary sail to the side of principal sails.

Supercargo: Ship’s official in charge of business affairs.

Surge: A vessel’s transient motion in a fore and aft direction.

Sway: A vessel’s motion from side to side. Also used as a verb meaning to hoist. “Sway up my dunnage.”

Swigging: To take up the last bit of slack on a line such as a halyard, anchor line or dock line by taking a single turn round a cleat and alternately heaving on the rope above and below the cleat while keeping the tension on the tail.

Swinging the compass: Measuring the accuracy in a ship’s magnetic compass so its readings can be adjusted – often by turning the ship and taking bearings on reference points.

Swinging the lamp: Telling sea stories. Referring to lamps slung from the deckhead which swing while at sea. Often used to indicate that the storyteller is exaggerating.

Swinging the lead: Measuring the depth of water beneath a ship using a lead-weighted sounding line.

Taffrail: Rail around the stern of a ship.

Tail shaft: A kind of metallic shafting (a rod of metal) to hold the propeller and connected to the power-engine. When the tail shaft is moved, the propeller may also be moved for propulsion.

Taken aback: An inattentive helmsmen might allow the dangerous situation to arise where the wind is blowing into the sails “backward”, causing a sudden (and possibly dangerous) shift in the position of the sails.

Tally: The operation of hauling aft the sheets, or drawing them in the direction of the ship’s stern.

The Ropes: Refers to the lines in the rigging.

Thole: Pin in the side of a boat to keep an oar in place.

Three sheets to the wind: On a three-masted ship, having the sheets of the three lower courses loose will result in the ship meandering aimlessly downwind.

Tiller: Handle or lever for turning a ship’s rudder.

Timberhead: Top end of ship’s timber used above the gunwale.

Timenoguy: Rope stretched from place to place in a ship.

Timoneer: From the French, “timonnier”, is a name given on particular occasions to the steersman of a ship.

Ton: The unit of measure often used in specifying the size of a ship. There are three completely unrelated definitions for the word. One of them refers to weight, while others refer to volume.

Tonnage: A measurement of the cargo-carrying capacity of merchant’s vessels. It depends not on weight, but on the volume available for carrying cargo. The basic units of measure are the Register Ton, equivalent to 100 cubic feet, and the Measurement Ton, equivalent to 40 cubic feet. The calculation of tonnage is complicated by many technical factors.

Topgallant: Mast or sail above the topmast and below the royal mast.

Topmast: The second section of the mast above the deck; formerly the upper mast, later surmounted by the topgallant mast; carrying the topsails.

Topsail: The second sail (counting from the bottom) up to a mast. These may be either square sails or fore-and-aft ones, in which case they often “fill in” between the mast and the gaff of the sail below.

Topsides: The part of the hull between the waterline and the deck. Also, Above-water hull.

Touch and go: The bottom of the ship touching the bottom, but not grounding.

Towing: The operation of drawing a vessel forward by means of long lines.

Traffic Separation Scheme: Shipping corridors marked by buoys which separate incoming from outgoing vessels. Improperly called Sea Lanes.

Tranship: To transfer from one ship to another.

Transire: Ship’s customs warrant for clearing goods.

Transom: A more or less flat surface across the stern of a vessel.

Travellers: Small fittings that slide on a rod or line. The most common use is for the inboard end of the mainsheet; a more esoteric form of traveler consists of “slight iron rings, encircling the backstays, which are used for hoisting the top-gallant yards, and confining them to the backstays”.

Treenail: Long wooden pin used to fix planks of the ship to the timbers.

Trice: To haul in and lash secure a sail with a small rope.

Trick: A period of time spent at the wheel (“my trick’s over”).

Trim: Relationship of ship’s hull to the waterline.

Trunnel: Wooden shipbuilding peg used for fastening timbers.

Trysail: Ship’s sail bent to a gaff and hoisted on a lower mast.

Tuck: Part of the ship where ends of lower planks meet under the stern.

Turtleback: Structure over ship’s bows or stern.

Turtling: When a sailboat (in particular a dinghy) capsizes to a point where the mast is pointed straight down and the hull is on the surface resembling a turtle shell.

Under the weather: Serving a watch on the weather side of the ship, exposed to wind and spray.

Underway: A vessel that is not at anchor, or made fast to the shore, or aground.

Underwater hull or underwater ship: The underwater section of a vessel beneath the waterline, normally not visible except when in drydock.

Unreeve: To withdraw a rope from an opening.

Vanishing angle: The maximum degree of heel after which a vessel becomes unable to return to an upright position.

Wake: Turbulence behind a ship.

Wales: A number of strong and thick planks running length-wise along the ship, covering the lower part of the ship’s side.

Walty: Inclined to tip over or lean.

Wardroom: Quarters for ship’s officers.

Washboard: Broad thin plank along ship’s gunwale to keep out sea water.

Watch: A period of time during which a part of the crew is on duty. Changes of watch are marked by strokes on the ship’s bell.

Watching: Fully afloat.

Watercraft: Water transport vessels. Ships, boats, personal watercraft.

Waterline: The intersection of a boat’s hull and the water’s surface, or where the boat sits in the water.

Waveson: Goods floating on the sea after a shipwreck.

Wear: To turn a ship’s stern to windward to alter its course

Weather deck: Whichever deck is exposed to the weather—usually either the main deck or, in larger vessels, the upper deck.

Weather gage: Favorable position over another sailing vessel to with respect to the wind.

Weather side: The weather side of a ship is the side exposed to the wind.

Weatherboard: Weather side of a ship.

: If the helm was centered, the boat would turn towards the wind (weather). Consequently, the tiller must be pulled to the windward side of the boat in order to make the boat sail in a straight line. See lee helm.

Weatherly: A ship that is easily sailed and maneuvered; makes little leeway when sailing to windward.

Weatherly: Able to sail close to the wind with little leeway.

Weigh anchor: To heave up (an anchor) preparatory to sailing.

Wells: Places in the ship’s hold for the pumps.

Wheelhouse: Location on a ship where the steering wheel is located, often interchanged with pilothouse and bridge.

Whipstaff: Vertical lever controlling ship’s rudder.

White Horses: Waves in wind strong enough to produce foam or spray on the wave tops.

Wide berth: To leave room between two ships moored (berthed) to allow space for a maneuver.

Windage: Wind resistance of the boat.

Windbound: A condition wherein the ship is detained in one particular station by contrary winds.

Windlass: A winch mechanism, usually with a horizontal axis. Used where mechanical advantage greater than that obtainable by block and tackle was needed (such as raising the anchor on small ships). Modern sailboats use an electric “Windlass” to raise the anchor.

Windward: In the direction that the wind is coming from.

Xebec: Small three-masted pirate ship.

Yard: Tapering spar attached to ship’s mast to spread the head of a square sail.

Yardarm: The very end of a yard. Often mistaken for a “yard”, which refers to the entire spar. As in to hang “from the yardarm” and the sun being “over the yardarm” (late enough to have a drink).

Yarr: Acknowledgement of an order, or agreement.

Yaw: A vessel’s motion rotating about the vertical axis, so the bow yaws from side to side.

Yawl: Ship’s small boat; sailboat carrying mainsail and one or more jibs.

Zabra: Small Spanish sailing vessel.

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50 Nautical, Sailing & Boat Terms for Beginners 

Table of Contents

Last Updated on September 29, 2023 by Boatsetter Team

Boating has its own vocabulary and if you’re going to be spending time on the water, you should understand a few basic boat terms. Knowing these will make you safer as well as more useful whether boating on your own, chartering or helping friends on their boat.

Let’s divide these words into basic nautical terms and specific sailing terms, listed in alphabetical order.

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30 Commonly Used Nautical & Boating Terms

Here are a few expressions you’ll hear aboard both a powerboat and sailboat, or even at the dock before boarding your boat rental or charter.

• Aft – the direction toward the back or stern of a boat.
• Ashore – not on a boat but on land or a dock .
• Ballast – extra weight laid low in a boat to provide stability.
• Beam – the width of a boat at its widest point, usually the middle.
• Bow – the front of a boat. Multihulls like catamarans have more than one bow.
• Bunk – a built-in bed on a boat.
• Cabin – the sleeping accommodations on a boat .
• Cockpit – the main seating area of a boat that may also include the helm station .
• Crew – the people or staff that help drive and manage the boat.
• Deck – the top or horizontal structure that is laid over the hull of a deck.
• Dock line – the ropes used to tie a boat to a dock.
• Fender – a rubber, vinyl or foam bumper used to protect the boat at a dock; often referred to by novice boaters as “bumpers.”
• Forward – the direction toward the front or bow of a boat.
• Galley – the kitchen on a boat. It can be inside or out on deck.
• Head – the toilet or bathroom on a boat.
• Helm – the boat’s steering mechanism. It can be a tiller or a wheel.
• Helm station – the area where from which you command or drive a boat.
• Hull – the body or shell of a boat including the bow and stern.
• Keel – the longitudinal structure at the bottom of the hull and generally on the centerline. The keel helps with stability and tracking.
• Knot – either various loops tied in a line or a unit of speed which equals one nautical mile per hour.
• Line – any rope on a boat is referred to as a line – not a rope.
• Nautical mile – a unit of measurement used on the water. A nautical mile is approximately 1.2x a statue mile.
• Onboard – on a boat whether on deck, on the cockpit or below.
• Port – the left-hand side of a boat when you’re facing forward or toward the bow.
• Rudder – an appendage below the boat that is controlled by the wheel or tiller to steer the boat. A boat may have more than one rudder.
• Starboard – the right-hand side of a boat when you’re facing forward.
• Stern – the place at the back of a boat.
• Transom – the actual structure of the back edge of a boat.
• Wake – the turbulence left behind a moving boat.
• Waterline – the place where the hull of a boat meets the surface of the water.

20 Sailing & Sailboat Terms

Within boating, sailing has its own specific vernacular. You’ll want to understand it before you step aboard a sailboat to help crew or when taking a lesson.

• Apparent wind – the combination of true wind and the motion of the boat at the time. It’s the wind you feel onboard.
• Boom – the horizontal pole which extends from the mast aft. It holds the bottom of the mainsail.
• Ease – to adjust sails outward or away from the centerline of a boat.
• Halyard – the line used to raise a sail whether a mainsail or a headsail.
• Headsail – a sail that is forward of the mast. It can be a genoa, a jib, a staysail or a small storm sail.
• In irons – technically a point of sail when you’re head-to-wind meaning the bow is pointing directly into the true wind and the boat is unable to maneuver.
• Jibing (also spelled gybing) – changing direction where the stern swings through the eye of the wind.
• Leeward – the direction away from where the wind is blowing.
• Mainsail – the primary sail on a boat which is usually attached in some way to the mast and boom. On most sailboats it’s the primary source of power.
• Mast – the vertical pole that supports the sails. The mast itself is supported by the rigging.
• Points of sail – the boat’s direction under sail relative to the true wind . The points of sail are: close-hauled, close reach, beam reach, broad reach and dead run.
• Reefing – shortening or reducing the area of a sail to de-power a sailboat usually used in a strong wind.
• Sheet – the line that controls the angle of a sail. There are mainsheets, jib/genoa sheets and others.
• Shroud – a part of the boat’s rigging that supports the mast from side-to-side
• Stay – a part of the boat’s rigging that supports the mast fore and aft.
• Tacking – changing direction under sail where the bow swings through the eye of the wind.
• Trim – to adjust sails inward or closer to the centerline of a boat.
• True wind – the actual wind that is blowing – both direction and speed.
• Winch – a rotating drum used to help control lines with a lot of pressure on them. A winch is cranked with a winch handle.
• Windward – the direction from where the wind is blowing.

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Zuzana Prochazka is an award-winning freelance journalist and photographer with regular contributions to more than a dozen sailing and powerboating magazines and online publications including Southern Boating, SEA, Latitudes & Attitudes and SAIL. She is SAIL magazines Charter Editor and the Executive Director of Boating Writers International. Zuzana serves as judge for SAIL’s Best Boats awards and for Europe’s Best of Boats in Berlin. 

A USCG 100 Ton Master, Zuzana founded and manages a flotilla charter organization called Zescapes that takes guests adventure sailing at destinations worldwide. 

Zuzana has lived in Europe, Africa and the United States and has traveled extensively in South America, the islands of the South Pacific and Mexico. 

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17 Sailboat Types Explained: How To Recognize Them

Ever wondered what type of sailboat you're looking at? Identifying sailboats isn't hard, you just have to know what to look for. In this article, I'll help you.

Every time I'm around a large number of sailboats, I look around in awe (especially with the bigger ones). I recognize some, but with most of them, I'll have to ask the owner. When they answer, I try to hide my ignorance. The words don't make any sense!

So here's a complete list with pictures of the most common sailboat types today. For each of them, I'll explain exactly where the name comes from, and how you can recognize it easily.

So here's my list of popular sailboat types, explained:

Bermuda sloop, sailing hydrofoil, dutch barge, chinese junk, square-rigged tall ship, in conclusion, how to recognize any sailboat.

Before we get started, I wanted to quickly explain what you should look for when you try to identify a sailboat.

The type of sailboat is always determined by one of these four things:

• The type of hull
• The type of keel
• The number of masts
• And the type of sails and rig

The hull is the boat's body. There are basically three hull types: monohull, catamaran, and trimaran. Simply said: do I see one hull, two hulls (catamaran) or three hulls (trimaran)? Most sailboats are monohulls.

Next, there is the keel type. The keel is the underwater part of the hull. Mostly, you won't be able to see that, because it's underwater. So we'll leave that for now.

The sail plan

The last factor is the number of masts and the sail plan. The sail plan, simply put, is the number of sails, the type of sails, and how the sails are mounted to the masts (also called rigging ).

Sailboat are mostly named after the sail plan, but occasionally, a sail type is thrown in there as well.

So now we know what to pay attention to, let's go and check out some sailboats!

Dinghies are the smallest and most simple sailboats around.

They are your typical training sailboats. Small boats with an open hull, with just one mast and one sail. Perfect for learning the ways of the wind.

On average, they are between 6 and 20 ft long. Mostly sailed single-handed (solo). There's no special rigging, just the mainsail. The mainsail is commonly a Bermuda (triangular) mainsail. Dinghies have a simple rudder stick and no special equipment or rigging.

Dinghies are great for learning how to sail. The smaller the boat, the better you feel the impact of your trim and actions.

How to recognize a sailing dinghy:

• short (8ft)
• one Bermuda sail
• open hull design
• rudder stick

Common places to spot them: lakes, near docks

If you'd ask a kid to draw a sailboat, she'll most probably draw this one. The Bermuda Sloop is the most popular and most common sailboat type today. You'll definitely recognize this one.

How to recognize a Bermuda Sloop:

• triangular mainsail (called a Bermuda sail)
• a foresail (also called the jib)
• fore-and-aft rigged
• medium-sized (12 - 50 ft)

Fore-and-aft rigged just means "from front to back". This type of rigging helps to sail upwind.

Any sailboat with one mast and two sails could still be a sloop. Even if the sails are another shape or rigged in another way. For example, here's a gaff-rigged sloop (more on the gaff rig later):

If you want to learn all about sail rigs, check out my full Guide to Understanding Sail Rig Types here. It has good infographics and explains it in more detail

The Bermuda sloop has a lot of advantages over other sailboat types (which is why it's so popular):

• the Bermuda rig is very maneuverable and pretty fast in almost all conditions
• it's really versatile
• you can sail it by yourself without any problems
• it's a simple setup

Common places to spot a sloop: everywhere. Smaller sloops are more common for inland waters, rivers, and lakes. Medium-sized and large sloops are very popular cruising boats.

Cutters have one mast but three or more sails. Most cutters are Bermuda rigged, which means they look a lot like sloops.

How to recognize a cutter:

• looks like a sloop
• two or more headsails instead of one
• commonly one mast
• sometimes an extra mast with mainsail

Cutters have more sail area, which makes them faster, but also harder to sail single-handed. There's also more strain on the mast and rigging.

Common places to spot a cutter: everywhere. Cutters are very popular for cruising.

They mostly have a Bermuda rig, which means triangular sails. But there are also gaff cutters and naval cutters, and some have two masts.

Here's an example of a two-masted naval cutter with an extra gaff mainsail and top gaff:

The Hydrofoil is a pretty new sailboat design. It's a racing sailboat with thin wing foils under the hull. These lift up the hull, out of the water, reducing the displacement to nearly zero. The foils create downforce and keep it from lifting off entirely.

This makes the hydrofoil extremely fast and also impressive.

The hydrofoil refers to the keel type. There are both monohull and multihull hydrofoils.

How to recognize a hydrofoil:

• it flies above the waterline and has small fins

Common places to spot a hydrofoil: at racing events

Famous catamaran: La Vagabonde from Sailing La Vagabonde

A catamaran is a type of cruising and racing multihull sailboat with two hulls. The hulls are always the same size.

Most catamarans have a standard Bermuda rig. The catamaran refers to the hull, so it can have any number of masts, sails, sail types and rig type.

How to recognize a catamaran:

• any boat with two hulls is called a catamaran

Common places to spot catamarans: coastal waters, The Caribbean, shallow reefs

The advantages of a catamaran: Catamarans heel less than monohulls and are more buoyant. Because of the double hull, they don't need as deep a keel to be stable. They have a smaller displacement, making them faster. They also have a very shallow draft. That's why catamarans are so popular in the Caribbean, where there's lots of shallow water.

Catamarans are nearly impossible to capsize:

"Compared with a monohull, a cruising catamaran sailboat has a high initial resistance to heeling and capsize—a fifty-footer requires four times the force to initiate a capsize than an equivalent monohull." Source: Wikipedia

How to recognize a trimaran:

• any boat with three hulls is called a trimaran

Trimarans have three hulls, so it's a multi-hull design. It's mostly a regular monohull with two smaller hulls or floaters on the sides. Some trimarans can be trailered by winching in the auxiliary hulls, like this:

This makes them very suitable for long-term cruising, but also for regular docking. This is great for crowded areas and small berths, like in the Mediterranean. It sure is more cost-effective than the catamaran (but you also don't have the extra storage and living space!).

Common places to spot Trimarans: mostly popular for long-term cruising, you'll find the trimaran in coastal areas.

Gaffer refers to gaff-rigged, which is the way the sails are rigged. A gaff rig is a rectangular sail with a top pole, or 'spar', which attaches it to the mast. This pole is called the 'gaff'. To hoist the mainsail, you hoist this top spar with a separate halyard. Most gaffers carry additional gaff topsails as well.

Gaff rigs are a bit less versatile than sloops. Because of the gaff, they can have a larger sail area. So they will perform better with downwind points of sail. Upwind, however, they handle less well.

How to recognize a gaffer:

• sail is rectangular
• mainsail has a top pole (or spar)

Since a gaffer refers to the rig type, and not the mast configuration or keel type, all sailboats with this kind of rigging can be called 'gaffers'.

Common places to spot a gaffer: Gaffers are popular inland sailboats. It's a more traditional rig, being used recreationally.

Schooners used to be extremely popular before sloops took over. Schooners are easy to sail but slower than sloops. They handle better than sloops in all comfortable (cruising) points of sail, except for upwind.

How to recognize a schooner:

• mostly two masts
• smaller mast in front
• taller mast in the back
• fore-and-aft rigged sails
• gaff-rigged mainsails (spar on top of the sail)

Common places to spot a schooner: coastal marinas, bays

How to recognize a ketch:

• medium-sized (30 ft and up)
• smaller mast in back
• taller mast in front
• both masts have a mainsail

The ketch refers to the sail plan (mast configuration and type of rig). Ketches actually handle really well. The back mast (mizzenmast) powers the hull, giving the skipper more control. Because of the extra mainsail, the ketch has shorter masts. This means less stress on masts and rigging, and less heel.

Common places to spot a ketch: larger marinas, coastal regions

How to recognize a yawl:

• main mast in front
• much smaller mast in the back
• back mast doesn't carry a mainsail

The aft mast is called a mizzenmast. Most ketches are gaff-rigged, so they have a spar at the top of the sail. They sometimes carry gaff topsails. They are harder to sail than sloops.

The yawl refers to the sail plan (mast configuration and type of rig).

Common places to spot a yawl: they are not as popular as sloops, and most yawls are vintage sailboat models. You'll find most being used as daysailers on lakes and in bays.

Dutch Barges are very traditional cargo ships for inland waters. My hometown is literally littered with a very well-known type of barge, the Skutsje. This is a Frisian design with leeboards.

Skutsjes don't have a keel but use leeboards for stability instead, which are the 'swords' or boards on the side of the hull.

How to recognize a Dutch Barge:

• most barges have one or two masts
• large, wooden masts
• leeboards (wooden wings on the side of the hull)
• mostly gaff-rigged sails (pole on top of the sail, attached to mast)
• a ducktail transom

The clipper is one of the latest sailboat designs before steam-powered vessels took over. The cutter has a large cargo area for transporting cargo. But they also needed to be fast to compete with steam vessels. It's a large, yet surprisingly fast sailboat model, and is known for its good handling.

This made them good for trade, especially transporting valuable goods like tea or spices.

How to recognize a Clipper:

• mostly three masts
• square-rigged sails
• narrow but long, steel hull

Common places to spot a clipper: inland waters, used as houseboats, but coastal waters as well. There are a lot of clippers on the Frisian Lakes and Waddenzee in The Netherlands (where I live).

This particular junk is Satu, from the Chesapeake Bay Area.

The Chinese Junk is an ancient type of sailboat. Junks were used to sail to Indonesia and India from the start of the Middle Ages onward (500 AD). The word junk supposedly comes from the Chinese word 'jung', meaning 'floating house'.

How to recognize a Chinese junk:

• medium-sized (30 - 50 ft)
• large, flat sails with full-length battens
• stern (back of the hull) opens up in a high deck
• mostly two masts (sometimes one)
• with two mainsails, sails are traditionally maroon
• lug-rigged sails

The junk has a large sail area. The full-length battens make sure the sails stay flat. It's one of the flattest sails around, which makes it good for downwind courses. This also comes at a cost: the junk doesn't sail as well upwind.

The cat rig is a sail plan with most commonly just one mast and one sail, the mainsail.

Most sailing dinghies are cats, but there are also larger boats with this type of sail plan. The picture above is a great example.

How to recognize a cat rig:

• smaller boats
• mostly one mast
• one sail per mast
• no standing rigging

Cat-rigged refers to the rigging, not the mast configuration or sail type. So you can have cats with a Bermuda sail (called a Bermuda Cat) or gaff-rigged sail (called a Gaff Cat), and so on. There are also Cat Ketches and Cat Schooners, for example. These have two masts.

The important thing to know is: cats have one sail per mast and no standing rigging .

Most typical place to spot Cats: lakes and inland waters

Famous brig: HMS Beagle (Charles Darwin's ship)

A brig was a very popular type of small warship of the U.S. navy during the 19th century. They were used in the American Revolution and other wars with the United Kingdom. They carry 10-18 guns and are relatively fast and maneuverable. They required less crew than a square-rigged ship.

How to recognize a brig:

• square-rigged foremast
• mainmast square-rigged or square-rigged and gaff-rigged

How to recognize a tall ship:

• three or four masts
• square sails with a pole across the top
• multiple square sails on each mast
• a lot of lines and rigging

Square-rigged ships, or tall ships, are what we think of when we think of pirate ships. Now, most pirate ships weren't actually tall ships, but they come from around the same period. They used to be built from wood, but more modern tall ships are nearly always steel.

Tall ships have three or four masts and square sails which are square-rigged. That means they are attached to the masts with yards.

We have the tall ship races every four years, where dozens of tall ships meet and race just offshore.

Most common place to spot Tall Ships: Museums, special events, open ocean

This is a bonus type since it is not very common anymore. As far as I know, there's only one left.

The Trabaccolo is a small cargo ship used in the Adriatic Sea. It has lug sails. A lug rig is a rectangular sail, but on a long pole or yard that runs fore-and-aft. It was a popular Venetian sailboat used for trade.

The name comes from the Italian word trabacca , which means tent, referring to the sails.

How to recognize a Trabaccolo:

• wide and short hull
• sails look like a tent

Most common place to spot Trabaccolo's: the Marine Museum of Cesenatico has a fully restored Trabaccolo.

So, there you have it. Now you know what to look for, and how to recognize the most common sailboat types easily. Next time you encounter a magnificent sailboat, you'll know what it's called - or where to find out quickly.

I loved this article. I had no idea there were so many kinds of sailboats.

i have a large sailing boat about 28ft. that im having a difficult time identifying. it was my fathers & unfortunately hes passed away now. any helpful information would be appreciated.

Jorge Eusali Castro Archbold

I find a saleboat boat but i can find the módem…os registré out off bru’x, and the saleboat name is TADCOZ, can you tell me who to go about this matter in getting info.thank con voz your time…

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)

How Much Sailboats Cost On Average (380+ Prices Compared)

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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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The basics of sailboat anatomy and terminology

Understanding sailboat anatomy and terminology is crucial for safe and efficient sailing, whether you're a beginner or a seasoned sailor.

The Basics of Sailboat Anatomy and Terminology

Welcome to the first installment of our Sailing Basics series! In this article, we’ll be diving into the world of sailboat anatomy and terminology. Whether you’re a complete beginner or a seasoned sailor looking for a refresher, this comprehensive guide will help you navigate the ins and outs of sailboats and their various components.

As you embark on your sailing journey, it’s essential to familiarize yourself with the different parts of a sailboat and the terms used to describe them. This knowledge will not only help you communicate effectively with fellow sailors but also ensure that you can safely and efficiently operate your vessel.

So, without further ado, let’s set sail and explore the basics of sailboat anatomy and terminology!

The hull is the main body of the sailboat, providing buoyancy and stability in the water. It’s typically made of fiberglass, wood, or metal, and its shape and design can vary depending on the type of sailboat. The hull is divided into several sections, including the bow (front), stern (rear), port (left side), and starboard (right side).

The keel is a long, flat structure that extends from the bottom of the hull and runs along its centerline. It serves several purposes, including providing stability, preventing the boat from being blown sideways by the wind, and acting as a counterbalance to the force of the sails. There are different types of keels, such as fin keels, full keels, and wing keels, each with its own advantages and disadvantages.

Located at the stern of the boat, the rudder is a flat, vertical blade that helps steer the sailboat by controlling its direction in the water. It’s connected to the tiller or wheel, which the helmsman (person steering the boat) uses to turn the rudder and change the boat’s course.

The deck is the horizontal surface that covers the hull and provides a platform for crew members to stand on and operate the sailboat. It’s usually made of the same material as the hull and can be divided into several areas, such as the foredeck (front), cockpit (middle), and aft deck (rear).

The cockpit is the central area of the deck where the crew operates the sailboat. It typically contains the helm (tiller or wheel), engine controls, and various instruments, such as a compass, GPS, and wind indicators. The cockpit is also where the crew can access the cabin below deck.

Lifelines are a series of cables or ropes that run along the perimeter of the deck, providing a safety barrier to prevent crew members from falling overboard. They’re usually attached to stanchions (vertical posts) and may also include gates for boarding the boat from a dock or dinghy.

Mast and Rigging

The mast is a tall, vertical pole that supports the sails and rigging. It’s usually made of aluminum or carbon fiber and can be stepped (attached) to the keel or deck, depending on the sailboat’s design. The rigging consists of various lines, cables, and hardware that connect the mast, sails, and hull, allowing the crew to control the sails and maneuver the boat.

Standing Rigging

Standing rigging refers to the fixed lines and cables that support the mast and maintain its position. The main components of standing rigging include:

• Shrouds : Cables that run from the top of the mast to the sides of the hull, providing lateral support.
• Stays : Cables that run from the top of the mast to the bow (forestay) and stern (backstay), providing fore-and-aft support.

Running Rigging

Running rigging consists of the lines and hardware used to control the sails, allowing the crew to raise, lower, and adjust them as needed. Some key components of running rigging include:

• Halyards : Lines used to hoist (raise) the sails up the mast.
• Sheets : Lines used to control the angle of the sails relative to the wind.
• Outhaul : A line used to adjust the tension of the mainsail along the boom.
• Cunningham : A line used to adjust the tension of the mainsail along the luff (front edge).

Sails are the primary means of propulsion for a sailboat, harnessing the power of the wind to move the boat through the water. There are two main types of sails: mainsails and headsails.

The mainsail is the largest sail on the boat and is attached to the mast and boom. It’s typically triangular in shape, with its leading edge (luff) connected to the mast, its bottom edge (foot) connected to the boom, and its trailing edge (leech) left free. The mainsail is controlled using the mainsheet, outhaul, and cunningham.

Headsails, also known as jibs or genoas, are smaller sails located in front of the mast. They’re attached to the forestay and are used to improve the boat’s performance, especially when sailing upwind. Headsails can be controlled using sheets and may be furled (rolled up) when not in use.

Now that you have a basic understanding of sailboat anatomy and terminology, you’re well on your way to becoming a confident and knowledgeable sailor. As you continue to explore the world of sailing, you’ll undoubtedly encounter more specialized terms and components, but this guide should serve as a solid foundation for your ongoing education.

In the next installment of our Sailing Basics series, we’ll be covering essential sailing skills, such as tacking, jibing, and docking. Until then, fair winds and smooth seas!

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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Learn the Parts of a Sailboat and How to Communicate Them

Essential Words You Need to Know

Pierre-Yves Babelon/Getty Images

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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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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Sailing Terms

Please enjoy this nautical glossary of sailing terms . Some are ones that we use in everyday language - now you can know the origins.

Sailing Terms starting with ...

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• To prepare an anchor, after raising it by lifting it with a tackle to the Cat Head, prior to securing (fishing) it alongside for sea. (An anchor raised to the Cat Head is said to be catted).
• The Cat o' Nine Tails (see below).
• A cat-rigged boat or catboat.

D - [Back to top]

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• To repair a mast or spar with a fillet of wood.
• To secure an anchor on the side of the ship for sea (otherwise known as "catting".)

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• The forward edge of a sail.
• To head a sailing vessel more towards the direction of the wind.
• When a sailing vessel is steered far enough to windward that the sail is no longer completely filled with wind (the luff of the sail is usually where this first becomes evident).
• Loosening a sheet so far past optimal trim that the sail is no longer completely filled with wind.
• The flapping of the sail(s) which results from having no wind in the sail at all.

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• Swamped by a high, following sea.

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• Reef: To temporarily reduce the area of a sail exposed to the wind, usually to guard against adverse effects of strong wind or to slow the vessel.
• Reef: Rock or coral, possibly only revealed at low tide, shallow enough that the vessel will at least touch if not go aground.

S - [Back to top]

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We hope you enjoyed these Sailing Terms brought to you by NauticEd.

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Meaning of sailboat in English

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• cabin cruiser
• dragon boat
• rubber dinghy

sailboat | Intermediate English

Examples of sailboat, translations of sailboat.

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bank holiday

an official holiday when banks and most businesses are closed for a day

Trial, judge, and jury: talking about what happens when a criminal is caught

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Cutter-Rigged Sailboat Definition: Everything You Need to Know

by Emma Sullivan | Aug 12, 2023 | Sailboat Lifestyle

Short answer cutter-rigged sailboat definition:

A cutter-rigged sailboat is a type of sailing vessel characterized by its rigging configuration, which includes a single mast set further aft and multiple headsails. This design offers versatility in various wind conditions, providing better control and balance while sailing.

1) What is a Cutter-Rigged Sailboat? A Comprehensive Definition

A cutter-rigged sailboat is a versatile and elegant type of sailing vessel that offers sailors a range of benefits and capabilities. With its distinctive rigging setup, the cutter sailboat has long been favored by sailors for its maneuverability, stability, and ability to handle different wind conditions. In this comprehensive definition, we will delve into the intricacies of the cutter rig and explore why it remains a popular choice among sailing enthusiasts.

At its core, a cutter-rigged sailboat features a specific arrangement of sails and mast configuration. Unlike other types of rigs like sloop or ketch, a cutter possesses two headsails – both the jib and staysail. The jib is usually larger and set forward to catch the main flow of wind, while the staysail sits between the foremost mast (known as the foremast) and the mainmast. This arrangement provides maximum control over different wind speeds and directions. While some smaller cutters may have only one mast, larger vessels often boast multiple masts, creating an impressive silhouette on the water.

One of the main advantages of a cutter rig is its versatility in handling various weather conditions . The combination of a large jib upfront with its increased surface area allows for heightened propulsion when sailing downwind or with favorable winds behind you. On the other hand, when facing challenging upwind conditions where close-hauled sailing is required, a smaller but easily controllable staysail comes into play. This dual headsail setup gives sailors better options for optimal sail configurations depending on wind angles – an invaluable feature that makes cutters ideal for long-distance cruising or racing.

Additionally, stability plays a crucial role in determining why many sailors opt for cutter-rigged sailboats . With two headsails set in front of your boat ‘s centerline but balanced proportionately around it, there’s less chance of being overpowered by strong gusts or unsteady winds compared to single-headsail rigs like sloops. This inherent stability allows for better control and reduces the risk of a sudden broach, which can be particularly crucial when sailing in harsh or unpredictable conditions.

Not only does the cutter setup provide superior handling, but it also enhances safety on the water. Since the staysail can easily be brought down or adjusted independently from the larger jib, sail changes are more manageable and less physically demanding for crew members. This flexibility is particularly vital during challenging weather conditions, as it minimizes time spent on deck in potentially dangerous situations .

Beyond its functional advantages, there’s an undeniable aesthetic appeal to cutter-rigged sailboats that captivates sailors and admirers alike. The imposing presence of multiple masts adorned with gracefully billowing sails creates an aura of classic beauty that pays homage to traditional sailing vessels of old. Whether cruising leisurely along coastlines or partaking in thrilling racing competitions, a cutter’s stylish design ensures you’ll turn heads wherever you go.

In conclusion, a cutter-rigged sailboat is a comprehensive embodiment of functionality, style, and adaptability on the water. With its distinct two-headsail setup providing excellent control across varying wind conditions, it stands out as an ideal choice for serious sailors seeking an enhanced sailing experience. From its versatility to stability and safety benefits – not to mention its timeless elegance – no wonder cutters remain cherished by seafaring enthusiasts worldwide who appreciate both tradition and innovation in their voyages.

2) Understanding the Cutter-Rigged Sailboat: Definition and Characteristics

Are you a sailing enthusiast looking to explore different types of sailboats? If so, then understanding the cutter-rigged sailboat is essential. This unique and versatile vessel has its own distinct features and characteristics that set it apart from other types of sailboats . So, let’s dive into the world of the cutter-rigged sailboat , exploring its definition and noteworthy qualities.

First, let’s start with the definition. A cutter rig is a specific type of sailing rig configuration typically found on smaller to medium-sized boats. Unlike other rigs such as sloops or ketches, which have only one headsail (the foresail), the cutter rig features multiple headsails.

The most prominent feature of a cutter rig is its dual headsails – a jib and staysail. The jib is the larger headsail located forward of the mast, while the staysail is positioned between the mast and forestay (the primary vertical support for the mast).

Why two headsails? Well, this setup provides incredible versatility and adaptability in various wind conditions. By utilizing both sails in combination or individually, a sailor can easily adjust their sail plan to maximize performance based on wind strength and direction.

Let’s talk about some remarkable characteristics that make the cutter rig stand out:

1. Upwind Performance: The presence of two headsails provides increased control when sailing upwind, allowing for better pointing ability into the wind. The staysail helps balance out the forces acting on the boat, reducing weather helm (the tendency of a boat to turn towards the wind) compared to other rig configurations .

2. Offshore Capabilities: Cutter rigs are renowned for their seaworthiness. With their ability to handle heavy weather conditions offshore, many serious cruisers prefer this rig type for long-distance voyages or bluewater sailing adventures .

3. Redundancy and Safety: Having two separate headsails not only enhances performance but also acts as a backup in case of damage or failure. If one headsail gets damaged, the sailor can simply drop it and continue sailing with the remaining sail. This redundancy is particularly useful during extended cruising or when sailing far from shore.

4. Versatility in Sailing Conditions: Cutter-rigged sailboats excel in a wide range of wind conditions, from light airs to strong winds. The ability to switch between different combinations of sails allows sailors to optimize their performance regardless of the prevailing weather conditions on their journey.

5. Ease of Handling: Despite having multiple sails, cutter rigs can be easily managed by a small crew or even single-handedly. The sail area is distributed across the two headsails, making them more manageable compared to larger single headsails found on sloops or ketches.

So there you have it – an introduction to understanding the cutter-rigged sailboat and its defining characteristics. From increased upwind performance to offshore capabilities and versatility in various weather conditions, this rig configuration offers a unique sailing experience that avid sailors find both thrilling and practical.

If you’re looking for a vessel that combines adaptability, safety, and ease of handling without compromising performance, then exploring the world of cutter-rigged sailboats might be your next exciting venture!

3) Step-by-Step Guide to Defining a Cutter-Rigged Sailboat

Welcome to our step-by-step guide on defining a cutter-rigged sailboat. If you’re new to the world of sailing or simply curious about this particular rigging style, you’ve come to the right place. Whether you’re envisioning sweeping journeys across the open seas or peaceful cruises along the coastline, understanding the intricacies of a cutter-rigged sailboat will equip you well for your adventures.

Step 1: Understanding the Basics Before delving into the specifics, let’s start with some fundamental knowledge. A cutter rig consists of multiple sails and is one of the most versatile options for sailboats . It typically features three sails: a foresail (the headsail), a mainsail, and a smaller third sail known as a staysail.

Step 2: Exploration and Considerations Now that we have grasped the general concept, it’s time to dive deeper into what makes a cutter rig unique. One key characteristic lies in its ability to handle various wind conditions exceptionally well due to its versatility. This adaptability ensures safety and efficiency even when facing unpredictable weather patterns during your sailing journeys.

Moreover, consider how different materials can affect performance while designing your ideal cutter-rigged boat. Sails made from modern materials such as polyester or nylon are durable and lightweight, enabling more efficient manipulation of wind power.

Step 3: Factors Influencing Cutter Rig Choices Defining your sailboat requires weighing several factors impacting your desired experience . First and foremost, think about your preferred cruising grounds – whether it’s serene lakes or challenging ocean waters – as this significantly influences sail arrangement decisions.

Furthermore, consider elements like mast height and placement; these variables directly impact how effectively the boat harnesses wind power for optimum performance. An experienced naval architect or yacht designer will be an invaluable resource when making these choices.

Step 4: Essential Equipment Next up is selecting essential equipment that complements your intended sailing lifestyle. When defining a cutter rig, it is crucial to invest in robust and reliable hardware to guarantee smooth sailing . Pay close attention to components such as winches, blocks, and furling systems, which all contribute to ease of handling and overall safety.

Step 5: Expert Advice Consulting with seasoned sailors or professionals within the sailing community can significantly enhance your understanding and decision-making process. Engaging in forums or seeking advice from experienced yacht brokers can provide valuable insights into different cutter rigs available on the market today.

This additional expertise ensures that you choose a cutter-rigged sailboat tailored specifically to your needs and desires while balancing practicality and performance.

Step 6: Balance Between Style and Functionality Ensuring your sailboat reflects your personal aesthetic preferences is also an essential aspect of defining a cutter rig . From sleek lines to elegant finishes, embrace the opportunity to infuse your unique style into the boat’s design without compromising its functionality.

Step 7: Maintenance and Upkeep Lastly, once you’ve defined your dream cutter-rigged sailboat , it’s important to consider maintenance requirements. Regular cleaning, inspection of equipment for wear and tear, as well as staying up-to-date with technological advancements will guarantee longevity and reliability throughout your sailing adventures .

Whether it’s chasing sunsets or conquering challenging waters, following this step-by-step guide will assist you in defining a cutter-rigged sailboat that fulfills all your nautical aspirations. With careful consideration of each component alongside expert input, you’ll be primed for unforgettable voyages while captivating fellow sailors with both the elegance and efficiency of your chosen rigging style.

4) Frequently Asked Questions about the Definition of a Cutter-Rigged Sailboat

Frequently Asked Questions about the Definition of a Cutter-Rigged Sailboat

When it comes to sailboats, there are numerous rigging options available, each with its own unique set of characteristics. One such design that has captivated the sailing community for generations is the cutter rig . Known for its versatility and performance capabilities, cutter-rigged sailboats have become a popular choice among experienced sailors. If you’re curious to learn more about this type of sailboat rig, we’ve compiled some frequently asked questions to demystify the definition of a cutter-rigged sailboat.

Q: What exactly is a cutter-rigged sailboat? A: A cutter rig refers to a specific arrangement of sails on a boat , consisting of two or more headsails and a mainsail. Unlike other rig configurations like sloops or ketches, where only one headsail is present in front of the mast, cutters feature multiple headsails set on separate forestays. The most common setup includes a staysail forward of the mast and a larger headsail (typically referred to as the genoa) on the foretriangle.

Q: Why would someone choose a cutter rig over other rig types ? A: One significant advantage of the cutter rig lies in its versatility and adaptability to various weather conditions . With two or more headsails onboard, sailors have greater control over their boat ‘s power and balance. The option to reef or furl both headsails independently allows for efficient sail area reduction during high winds while maintaining excellent maneuverability when under power alone. This makes cutters particularly appealing for long-distance cruising or offshore passages.

Q: Are there any disadvantages to choosing a cutter rig? A: Like any design choice, there are trade-offs associated with opting for a cutter-rigged sailboat. While offering enhanced flexibility compared to other rigs, cutters require additional hardware such as multiple forestays and halyards which may increase maintenance requirements. Additionally, the complex sail plan can require more crew effort and expertise to handle effectively, especially during maneuvers and sail changes. However, with proper training and experience, these challenges can be overcome.

Q: Can a cutter-rigged sailboat perform well in racing? A: While cutter rigs are not commonly found on the race circuit as they once were, that doesn’t mean they lack performance capabilities. Due to their ability to carry multiple headsails of varying sizes, cutters excel in heavy weather conditions where wind strength is typically higher. In races that encompass offshore or longer passages, cutters can often showcase their advantage over more limited-rigged vessels like sloops or Bermuda rigs.

Q: Are there any famous examples of cutter-rigged sailboats ? A: Yes! Some iconic examples of cutter-rigged sailboats include the historic Joshua Slocum’s Spray, which he sailed solo around the world in the late 19th century, and Eric Tabarly’s splendid Pen Duick series racing yachts. These vessels demonstrated the capabilities and enduring appeal of this rig type .

In conclusion, a cutter rig offers sailors an adaptable and versatile solution for their sailing needs. With its ability to handle various weather conditions while maintaining maneuverability and control under power alone, it’s no wonder why this rig configuration has stood the test of time. Although it requires some additional maintenance considerations and sailing proficiency compared to other options such as sloops or ketches, those who value performance and flexibility will find a cutter-rigged sailboat a worthy choice for both cruising adventures and competitive racing endeavors.

5) Exploring the Key Features of a Cutter-Rigged Sailboat: A Detailed Definition

In the world of sailing, there are a plethora of sailboat designs and rigging setups to choose from. Each configuration offers unique advantages and characteristics that cater to different sailing styles and conditions. One popular choice amongst avid sailors is the cutter-rigged sailboat.

What exactly is a cutter-rigged sailboat , you may ask? Well, let’s delve into this fascinating topic and explore the key features that make this rigging setup stand out.

At its core, a cutter-rigged sailboat is defined by its multiple headsails and specific mast placement. Unlike traditional sloop-rigged sailboats with just one headsail (the jib), cutters carry two headsails – the jib on the forestay and a smaller staysail on an inner stay called the second forestay. This additional headsail provides enhanced maneuverability, especially in heavier wind conditions or when sailing close to the wind.

The positioning of these sails allows for better balance and control. The jib acts as the primary driving force while the smaller staysail helps fine-tune and adjust sail trim for optimal performance in varying wind speeds. This configuration gives sailors greater flexibility and control over their vessel, making it easier to adapt to changing weather conditions or maneuver through tight spaces like crowded harbors or narrow channels.

One major advantage of a cutter rig is its versatility in handling different points of sail . Whether you’re beating upwind, reaching across open waters, or running downwind with strong winds at your back, a well-designed cutter rig can excel in all these scenarios. The ability to set various combinations of sails enables sailors to maximize their boat’s aerodynamic efficiency regardless of which way the wind blows.

In addition to its superb adaptability on different points of sail , another standout feature of a cutter rig is its reliability in heavy weather conditions. With two separate headsails instead of relying solely on one large genoa like many sloop rigs, a cutter rig offers increased sail area options without sacrificing safety. By reefing down and using the smaller staysail as the primary driving force, sailors can maintain control even in strong winds, reducing the risk of overpowering the boat.

Moreover, the presence of two forestays not only reinforces mast stability but also opens up possibilities for adding additional headsails or storm sails if needed. This further enhances a cutter-rigged sailboat’s versatility and adaptability to different sailing conditions, offering peace of mind to sailors heading out into more challenging waters.

It’s important to keep in mind that while cutter rigs come with numerous advantages, they may require slightly more effort and skill to manage compared to simpler rigging setups. The need for multiple sheets and halyards means more lines cluttering the deck, potentially leading to increased complexity when setting up or adjusting sails . However, with practice and experience, managing a cutter rig becomes second nature.

In conclusion, exploring the key features of a cutter-rigged sailboat reveals a versatile and reliable sailing configuration that appeals to seasoned sailors seeking enhanced maneuverability and adaptability on various points of sail. With its unique combination of two headsails and specific mast placement, this rigging setup offers both performance and safety in a wide range of conditions. So if you’re considering upgrading your current sloop rig or looking for a new sailboat altogether, don’t overlook the allure of a well-designed cutter rig – it just might be the perfect choice for your next sailing adventure!

6) Expert Insights: How to Define and Identify a Cutter-Rigged Sailboat

Title: Expert Insights: Mastering the Art of Defining and Identifying Cutter-Rigged Sailboats

Introduction: Ahoy, sailing enthusiasts ! Welcome to another exciting installment of our Expert Insights series. Today, we embark on a voyage delving into the intricacies of defining and identifying cutter-rigged sailboats. Whether you are a seasoned sailor or an aspiring seafarer, this comprehensive guide will equip you with the knowledge necessary to navigate the dazzling world of cutter rigs. So hoist your sails, batten down the hatches, and let’s set course for enlightenment!

What is a Cutter-Rigged Sailboat? Imagine an elegant vessel gracefully slicing through the water; that’s a cutter-rigged sailboat in all its glory. A cutter rig is characterized by having multiple foresails—a mainsail located closest to the mast, supplemented by two foresails mounted ahead called the jib and staysail. This configuration differentiates it from sloop rigs, where only one headsail (the jib) embellishes the mast.

1) The Power Behind Cutter Rigs: The secret to their popularity lies in versatility and performance. Cutter-rigged sailboats excel at various points of sail due to their flexible sail plan. While close-hauled (sailing as close to wind direction as possible), you can harness immense power by using both foresails simultaneously—balancing speed and maneuverability.

2) Benefits Beyond Mighty Winds: Cutter rigs not only capture more wind but also distribute it efficiently across multiple sails—enabling enhanced control during gusty conditions. These additional foresails provide options when experiencing changes in weather or sea states while cruising offshore or navigating congested harbors.

3) Identify with Ease: Distinguishing a cutter rig at first glance may seem perplexing, especially if you’re new to sailing terminology . However, one crucial telltale sign is evident—the presence of two headsails. The jib, commonly the largest fore-and-aft sail, unfurls ahead of the mast while the staysail—often smaller—is typically set on a forestay between the bow and mast.

4) Rigging Setup: Cutter-rigged sailboats possess a unique rigging setup to accommodate multiple foresails harmoniously. In addition to the mainmast, they typically feature an inner forestay reaching from the masthead to a point near or on the deck. This inner stay provides support for setting and controlling the staysail separately from the larger jib.

5) Sail Controls & Tactics: Understanding how to effectively control your cutter rig is key to mastering its potential. Utilize various lines and winches to haul in or release each sail independently, allowing for precise adjustments depending on wind conditions. For optimal performance, consider employing windward sheeting angles, fine-tuning sail twist, and applying proper reefing techniques when necessary.

Conclusion: Congratulations! You’ve successfully navigated through our expert insights on defining and identifying cutter-rigged sailboats with finesse. Armed with this newfound knowledge, you can confidently embark on your next sailing adventure or engage in enthusiastic conversations with fellow sailors about their awe-inspiring rigs . Remember, cutter rigs offer a combination of power, versatility, and charm that captivates both spectators and seasoned mariners alike. Fair winds and smooth seas await as you join the ranks of those who harness the magic of these remarkable vessels!

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Man returns to Dampier Boat Ramp after having trouble with vessel overnight

By Jessica Shackleton

ABC Pilbara

Topic: Missing Person

Kevin Cunningham arrived back at the Dampier Boat Ramp on Monday afternoon. ( ABC Pilbara: Rosemary Murphy )

The search for Kevin Cunningham has ended after he arrived safely at the Dampier boat ramp on Monday afternoon.

Fears were raised when his vehicle and boat trailer were located at the boat ramp this morning.

He has told police he camped overnight on an island after having trouble with the vessel.

Police have called off the search for 44-year-old Kevin Cunningham after he arrived back at the Dampier Boat Ramp on Monday afternoon.

Police said Mr Cunningham arrived back at the boat ramp after lunch time and he said he ran into trouble with his vessel.

As a result, Mr Cunningham camped overnight at Rosemary Island and continued his trip back at a slow speed today.

Police said Mr Cunningham and his dog that was in the boat with him were both in good health.

A marine and air search was underway in Western Australia's north-west after the fisherman failed to return home from a boat trip overnight.

WA police officers said Mr Cunningham was last heard from at 7pm on Sunday.

Police said he had told an associate that he was navigating his vessel back from the Wandoo oil field to a boat ramp in Dampier, about 21 kilometres from Karratha.

Wandoo, owned by Vermilion Oil and Gas, is an oil platform and popular fishing spot.

It is located about 67km north-west of Dampier port.

Mr Cunningham's vessel is a 5.8-metre black Bar Crusher like the boat pictured here. ( Supplied: WA Police )

Local police said they found Mr Cunningham's vehicle and boat trailer at the Dampier boat ramp this morning.

The 44-year-old is believed to have been driving a 5.8-metre black Bar Crusher, a type of aluminium boat.

A search and rescue jet has been sent from Perth to begin an aerial search of the Dampier coast.

Crews from Marine Rescue Dampier are assisting Karratha Police with the search.

Australian Border Force and Pilbara Ports have provided several vessels, alongside a Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development fishing boat that was deployed from nearby Port Walcott, about 51km east of the search area. 

Police said they were concerned for Mr Cunningham's welfare and asked the public to provide information about his current whereabouts.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Water Police Coordination Centre on 08 9442 8600 or 131 444.