Sailing Terms

Knowing the common sailing terms will help you communicate more effectively on your course. Some sailing and rowing terms are listed and defined below.

Parts of the Boat and Sails

Main Sail - The largest sail on the boat. Main also refers to everything connected to the main sail: main mast, main sheet, main halyard, etc.

Mizzen Sail - A smaller sail usually aft (behind) of the Main Sail (mizzen mast, mizzen sheet, etc).

Rudder - A flat piece of wood that hangs from the boat's stern.

Tiller - The handle extending from the rudder at a 90-degree angle that allows the sailor to steer the boat.

Sheet - The line that controls a sail.

Tack - Bottom corner of the sail next to the mast.

Boom - pole extending from the mast at a 90-degree angle which attaches to the foot of the sail.

Foot - The bottom edge of a sail.

Head - The top edge of a 4-sided sail, or the top corner of a triangular sail.

Leach - The vertical, after edge of a sail.

Shroud - Fixed line that supports the mast from the side.

Keel - the bottom-most part of the hull.

Centerboard - A flat metal plate that extends from the underside of the hull to stabilize the boat.

Directions on the Boat

Bow - "Front" of the boat

Stern - "Back" of the boat.

Port - Left side of the boat when looking forward, or toward the bow

Starboard - Right side of the boat when looking forward

Forward - Towards the bow of the boat, as in “ the main mast is forward of the mizzen mast.”

Aft - Towards the stern of the boat

Aloft - Towards the sky

Below - Towards the bottom of the sea

Up - Towards the direction the wind is coming from

Down - Away from the direction the wind is coming from

More Sailing Terms

Get a Free Catalog