Planning on going sailing sometime soon? San Diego Sailing Tours has created a list of the most important terms a beginner should know! Take a look at these 15 words and you will be talking like a sailor in no time!

Port: Facing forward, anything that is on the left side of the boat

Starboard: Facing forward, anything that is on the right side of the boat

Stern: Back of the boat

Bow: Font of the boat

Leeward: Side of the boat that is furthest from the wind.  This side will always be the lowest side to the water when heeling.

Windward: Side of the boat that is closest to the wind. This side will always be the highest side to the water when heeling.

Mast: A large vertical pole that comes up out of the middle of the boat. The mainsail is set on the mast.

Boom: The horizontal pole that comes off of the mast.

Mainsail:  The largest and most important sail. It is connected to the mast and the boom.

Jib: Always found in front of the main sail and does not have boom.

Cockpit: An area located in the back of the boat where it is steered.

Rudder: The rudder is located underneath the boat. It is a flat piece of wood or metal that is used to help steer the boat.

Tiller: An appendage off of the rudder that is used to steer the boat.  For example you push the tiller the opposite way you want the bow to move.

Tack:  A way of changing the direction of the boat.  This is done by bringing the bow of the boat through the wind.

Jibe: Another way of changing the direction of the boat. This is done by bringing the stern of the boat through the wind