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
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