New to sailing or a bit rusty when it comes to remembering the relevant terms when you’re boating or yachting? Our glossary of boating jargon should help you get down with the lingo so you’re not left ‘all at sea’...see what we did there!
Behind the boat.
On or inside the boat.
Side by side.
Unattached to moorings or a towline.
Toward the stern of the boat.
Away from the direction of the wind.
Secure hatches and loose objects.
The greatest width of the boat.
Turning away from the wind.
The part of the rope or line between the end and the standing part where a knot is formed.
The interior of the hull below the floorboards.
The last part of a rope or chain.
The pole that runs at a right angle from the mast.
The front of the boat.
Where the vessel is steered from.
To turn over.
The direction the boat is steered.
Cunningham (or downhaul)
Adjusting the tension of a sail’s luff.
The receding of a current.
A measurement equivalent to six feet.
The incoming of a current.
Sailing close to the wind.
The boat is pointed towards the wind with the sail flapping, probably going backwards.
A rope ladder lowered to allow people to come aboard.
Kicker (or vang)
Used to keep the boom from rising.
A measurement of speed equivalent to one nautical mile (6076 feet) per hour.
The downwind direction of the wind.
Pointing the boat towards the wind.
The line that controls the position of the mainsail.
Mark (or buoy)
A floating object that requires a boat to pass on a specific side.
The pole that usually goes straight up from the deck.
An object that can not be passed without substantially changing the boat’s course.
An device that adjusts the tension of the sail’s foot.
Over the side or out of the boat.
The left side of the boat when you are looking forward.
Wind across the port side.
Sailing with the sail eased.
Reducing the sail area.
The arrange of the mast, sails and spars.
Used to steer the boat.
Sailing before the wind with the sail out.
To drift to leeward.
The position of the sails in relation to the wind and the boat’s desired point of sail.
A protective loop made from strong leather that fits across the palm of the hand.
A post used to attach the anchor or mooring lines to.
A small, long hill of sand found in shallow water and created by waves or currents.
A navigational device used to determine the vertical position of an object.
A large, lightweight sail used when running or on a broad reach.
Spinnaker pole or spinnaker boom
A pole used to extend the foot of the spinnaker and secure the corner of the sail.
Small spars extending from the mast that allow the shrouds to support the mast.
The tide with the most variation in water level (i.e. highest and lowest). Occurs during new and full moons.
The right side of the boat when you are looking forward.
Wind across the starboard side.
The back end of the boat.
Changing direction by turning into the wind.
An instrument used to turning the rudder.
The upwind direction of the wind.
Swinging or steering off course.