Sailing Terms and Parts of Boat

• Bow- The front of the boat.

• Stern- The back of the boat.

• Starboard- The right side of the boat. A starboard tack is when the starboard side of the boat is facing towards the wind. Boats on a starboard tack have right of way.

• Port- The left side of the boat. A port tack is when the port side of the boat is facing towards the wind. Boats on a port tack do not have right of way.

• Irons- Point of sail in which the bow is facing in the direction that the wind is coming from. The sails will be luffing and the boat will not move.

• Closed Haul- Point of sail in which the bow is 45 degrees away from the direction the wind is coming from. This is the position tacking occurs from.

• Closed Reach- Point of sail between closed haul and beam reach. Sails are about 60-70 degrees away from the direction of the wind.

• Beam Reach- Point of sail in which the boat is perpendicular to the direction of the wind. This is the fastest point of sail.

• Broad Reach- Point of sail in which the sails are 45 degrees away from running free, or downwind.

• Running Free- Point of sail in which sails are completely out and the boat is sailing straight downwind. This point of sail can be very dangerous.

• Leeward- Side of boat furthest from the wind.

• Windward- Side of the boat closest to the wind.

• Tack- Turning from closed-hauled to the other closed-hauled through irons to change the boat's direction. This is normally done by pushing the tiller towards the opposite direction that you want to turn, and switching sails to the other side of the boat.

• Jibe- Turning down wind from broad reach to other broad reach through a run to change direction of the boat. This is done by pulling sails tight and letting them out as the boom switches sides, and pulling the tiller towards you.

• Mainsail- The main sail on a boat, just aft of the mast. It is the biggest and most important sail.

• Jib Sail- Other common sail on a boat. It does not have a boom and it is towards the front of the boat.

• Cleat- A clip on a boat that holds lines in place.

• Mast- A tall post on a sailboat that carries the sails.

• Forestay-A thinner post that leans at an angle to help hold the jib sail up.

• Luff- Movement back and forth of sails due to wind blowing directly on them.

• Boom- The beam branching off of the mast that supports the main sail.

• Tiller- A horizontal bar that is used for steering. It connects to the rudder to move the boat.

• Rudder- A flat vertical surface that is hinged near the stern and connects to the tiller to help with changing direction.

• Hull- Main body of the boat. It includes the bottom, deck, and sides of the boat.

• Keel- The vertical structure in the center of a boat that gives it stability.

• Heading Up- Turning upwind.

• Falling Off- Turning downwind.