The bow of a boat can also be referred to as the front. Outhaul – A sail control that allows tensioning of the foot and attaches to … Starboard: The right side of a boat when you’re seated and looking forward. Here are the different parts that belong to the standing rigging: Ropes play a big part in sailing, and especially in control over the sails. Scouting for a good guide to all the parts, I couldn't find any, so I wrote one myself. The line is labeled by the job it performs; for example, anchor line, dock line, fender line, etc. Instead of simply calling the different sides of a hull front, back, left and right, we use different names in sailing. If you don't know what all of this means, no worries: neither did I. Hi, I'm Shawn, and when I was 2 years old, I was sailing (with my parents) on the English Channel during a proper storm (and by proper I mean something along the lines of force 10). PLAY. You can divide up a sailboat in four general segments. Home; My Boats; Building a Skerry; Building a Tender; Points of Sail; Making Sails; Boat types, terminology; Nautical Terms Relating to Sails, Rigs and Sailing. About us When you first get into sailing, there's a lot of sailboat parts to learn. İ think this is a good explanation of the difference between a ”rope” and a ”line”: Rope is unemployed cordage. A technique used to shorten or reduce the sail area. It is important to know this to be able to identify port … Yeah, that works. These engines aren't very big or powerful, and most sailboats up to 32' use an outboard motor. But it also makes them very easy to capsize: think of a canoe, for example. Amidships is the central part … De Gealanden 28 A sailboat consist of eight basic parts, the hull, tiller, rudder, mainsail, mast, boom, foresail and keel. Ballast – Weight in the form of heavy material (water, metal or stone) placed low in a boat hull to … It helps to lock the mainsheet in place, fixing the mainsails angle to the wind. The difference between the two is very simple. Who knows, perhaps I'll write it. There are a lot of different sail rig types and it can be difficult to remember what's what. Did you find the answer to your specific question? ABATE - The true wind abates or moderates when it blows less strongly than before PS: my grandparents were from Friesland and emigrated to America. Breakwater – a structure to protect a harbour or beach from the force of the sea. The right side of a pleasure craft when looking forward. STUDY. The bilges are the part where the bottom and the sides of the hull meet. Below, I'll go over them one by one, pointing out its different parts on a diagram, listing them with a brief explanation, and showing you examples as well. The rigging is what is used to attach your sails and mast to your boat. I wanted to write a good walk-through instead of overwhelming you with lists and lists of nautical terms. The mainsail is the largest sail on the largest mast. cabota… Bow: The forward or front part of a boat is called the ‘bow’.. If you're interested in learning more about how to use the mainsheet traveler, Matej has written a great list of tips for using your mainsheet traveler the right way. If you want to learn more about them, here's the Illustrated Guide to Boat Hull Types (with 11 Examples). It's the most old-skool navigation tool out there, but I'm convinced it's also one of the most reliable. These segments are arbitrary (I made them up) but it will help us to understand the parts more quickly. BOAT HOOK – This one does what it says on the tin – it’s a pole with a hook on the end. Below, I'll go over each different sailboat part. M. mainsail The largest regular sail on a sailboat. Divisions Within the Boat. However, there are all sorts of specialty sails that are not included here, to keep things concise. It's a bit of an odd duck, so I threw all sorts of stuff into this category. Something like that. Now that we have covered the major parts of the boat and some important boating terms, let's take a closer look at the hull and how boats move through the water depending on their hull design. Most smaller sailboats (below 30') have a tiller, most larger sailboats use a helm. Most sailboats have only one or two masts. I think this segment speaks mostly for itself. The mast is the pole on a sailboat that holds the sails. Large ocean-going vessels tend to have two helms. This site is owned and operated by Truly Content. If so, I appreciate any comments and tips below. The parts I list below work for most modern sailboats - I mean 90% of the. But they are just as important as all the other parts. It's what carries everything: the mast, the sails, the rigging, the passengers. In that case, the main is easy to recognize. I think this makes it easier to communicate with your crew: you don't have to define which line you mean. This be a fair and true listing of words having to do with ships and sailing, 225 of them in all. Three masts or more is less common. This article is a great reference for beginners and experienced sailors alike. Better still you might want to ask most simply, what are nautical terms??? This is probably the most complex category of all of them. Nautical terms are also known as sailing terms. Winches are mechanical or electronic spools that are used to easily trim lines and sheets. The stern is the back part of the hull. You will find all of these parts in some shape or form on almost any sailboat. When looking towards the bow, the left-hand side of the boat is the port side. Starboard side. However, if you feel I've left something out that really should be in here, please let me know in the comments below, so I can update the article. Illustrated Glossary of Ship and Boat Terms ... to remove references pertaining to figures and chapters that were incorporated in the original work but do not form part of this volume. You'll find the compass typically in the cockpit. And starboard is the corresponding word for the right side of a boat. Backstay Performs the same job as the Forestay but is attached to the stern of the boat as opposed to the bow Boom A horizontal spar attached to the aft of the mast just below the sail. When another boat is abeam, it is at a right angle off the beam to either the starboard or port side of the boat you are on. The waterline is the point where the boat's hull meets the water. The last two are optional and are mostly used by bluewater cruisers. BOWLINE – A knot used to form a temporary loop in the end of a line. That would make for a gigantic article. ... the back (leech) of the sail. Parts of the sail, mautical terms that relate to the different parts of a sail. I'm the owner of ImproveSailing. Learn all about getting on the water with a sailboat in our Sailing page. The hull is the heart of the boat. The glossary is primarily relevant to the first two sections of this handbook and is not meant to be representative of the entire field of maritime archaeology. Your hardware consists of cleats, winches, traveler and so on. Line – Refers to any pieces of rope located on a boat. You'll find these at the back of the boat. Okay, we now have a good starting point and a good basic understanding of the different sailboat parts. I'll walk you through them one by one, and explain each part's function. Forward spring line. Bow Line Also known as a painter. But for now, all we need to know is that the hull is the rounded, floating part of any sailboat. And if you forget one, you're free to look it up in this guide. It's the most aft (rear) part of the boat. Nautical Terms Relating to Sailing and Navigation and Boatbuilding. Bow of a boat. This prevents the boat from falling over when the wind pushes on the sail, and also helps the boat … Most sailboats use a sloop rigging (just one mast with one bermuda mainsail). The cabin is used as a shelter, and on cruising sailboats you'll find the galley for cooking, a bed, bath room, and so on. cable length A measure of length or distance equivalent to ⁄10 nautical mile (608 feet; 185 metres) in the United Kingdom and 100 fathoms (600 feet; 183 metres) in the United States; other countries use different equivalents. These terms come mainly from the great age of sailing ships, the 16th to 18th centuries, and almost all hail from the two great seafaring peoples of the day, those being the brave English and the most hated Dutch. It houses the outside navigation and systems interfaces, like the compass, chartplotter, and so on. If you want to take a look at the different sail plans and rig types that are out there, I suggest reading my previous guide on how to recognize any sailboat here (opens in new tab). Sailboats mostly use displacement hulls, which is a shape that displaces water when moving through it. Most sailboats have some sort of motor to help out when there's just the slightest breeze. I believe it will help my new crew learn the language that we use on the boat quickly without being overwhelmed. In sailboat jargon, we call ropes 'lines'. Just after reading this first article I feel excited and ready to set sails and go!! The shape of the stern partially determines the stability and speed of the boat. On the other hand, when you prepare a rope for a specific task, it becomes employed and is a line. It's simply the nautical word for 'back'. The transom is the backplate of the boat's hull. COMMON SAILING GLOSSARY OF TERMS Abeam Off to the side of a vessel at right angles to the boat’s centerline. The hull is the body of the boat and its symmetrical shape helps balance the boat. For example, if you’re going straight into the … A handy tip for remembering which side is port, is to remember that port and left have the same number of letters. Heave too. You will find all of these parts in some shape or form on almost any sailboat. ImproveSailing is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Nautical directions and terms. It also houses the mainsheet traveler and winches for the jib. It's easy. On sailboats, these are typically very round, which helps with hydrodynamics. Let me explain it in this article. The bow is the front part of the hull. In this section we will talk about parts of the boat that are used to move it along. Battens are horizontal sail reinforcers that flatten and stiffen the sail. Your subscription could not be saved. If someone asked to you, “Can you look in the aft stowage locker for … Daniel. marinisation Copyright © 2021 ImproveSailing.com It's simply the nautical word for 'front'. We're going to dive into each segment in detail. Stern: The rear part of a boat is called the ‘stern’.. Transom: The ‘transom’ is the stern cross-section of your boat. Bow The forward part of a boat, the pointy end. Nautical Terms. Reefing. The sails seem simple, but actually consist of many moving parts. Want to learn how to use a compass quickly and reliably? Refers to the forward part of a pleasure craft. It is typically placed just off-center of a sailboat (a little bit to the front) and gives the sailboat its characteristic shape. Just a brief mention of the different deck hardware parts: The mainsheet traveler is a rail in the cockpit that is used to control the mainsheet. And there are all kinds of sail plans out there, which determine the amount and shape of sails that are used. cable 1. Thank you Shawn for the well written, clear and easy to digest introductory article. It's the pointy bit that cuts through the water. It's the segment with the most different parts. Scroll down through them until you find the one you're looking for! Sometimes called simply a cable. Illustrated Guide to Boat Hull Types (with 11 Examples, guide on how to recognize any sailboat here, great list of tips for using your mainsheet traveler the right way, step-by-step beginner guide on How To Use a Compass (opens in new tab, Guide to Understanding Sail Rig Types (with Pictures), The Ultimate Guide to Sail Types and Rigs (with Pictures), The Illustrated Guide To Boat Hull Types (11 Examples), How To Live On a Boat For Free: How I'd Do It. Let's review some more boating terms, starting with the body of a boat. BRIDGE – The location from which a vessel is steered and its speed controlled. Sailing certificate courses such as RYA, ASA and US Sailing require a basic understanding of these terms. Cheers! This makes it incredibly easy to trim your lines. A handy tip for remembering which side is port, is to remember that port and left have the same number of letters. Privacy Policy, Improve Sailing helps you to make your sailing dream actionable, by writing in-depth articles on real questions. BOATERexam.com®, BOATER EXAM® are registered trademarks owned by Skipper Online Services (SOS) Inc. At the upper edges of the boat's hull are the, The cross-section of the stern, where you attach an outboard motor, is called the, On the top of the boat are metal fittings called cleats. Contact us Aft also means back. The mast is crucial for any sailboat: without a mast, any sailboat would become just a regular boat. A cable length. ImproveSailing is compensated for referring traffic and business to this companies. The hull is what provides the sailboat with its buoyancy, allowing it to stay afloat. This article came together as I looked up stuff that I did not understand. You'll find telltales on both your jib and mainsail. 'On the beam' means the same. The tiller or helm is attached to the rudder and is used to steer the boat. Sailboats can have one or multiple masts, depending on the mast configuration. In this boat terminology-list I have included all the boating and sailing terms alphabetically. Now that we know where the bow, stern, port and starboard are located, let’s learn some more important boating terms. And I mean each and every one of them. If you learn anything from this article, here are the most important parts of any sailboat. A large rope. It’s the opposite of the stern of a boat in sailing terms. With motorboats, the stern lies deep inside the water, and the hull is flatter aft. 2. “The tiller is abaft the mast.” Abeam: The beam is the widest part of the boat. I am taking on new crew to race with me on my Flying Scot (19ft dingy). Port: The left side of a boat when you’re seated and looking forward. Just tell us the best email address to send your tips to: Improve Sailing Rigging, in other words, mostly consists of all kinds of lines. I'll show you those specific parts later on. So I've come up with a system. luff The leading edge of a sail. Most larger boats have some sort of roofed part, which is called the cabin. ImproveSailing is compensated for referring traffic and business to this companies. (Note: The headsail tack is the name for the lower corner of the headsail -- the sail closest to the front of the boat.) Aft spring line. Bow. LOL!! If you learn anything from this article, here are the most important parts of any sailboat. Telltales are small strings that show you whether your sail trim is correct. I don't like spam - I will only send helpful content. These two characteristics make sure it is a smooth ride. Ahead: The direction directly in front of the boat. I've also made sure to add good illustrations and clear diagrams. Below, you'll find a complete overview of the different parts. (abbreviated as MOB) is the term to indicate to a boat's crew and passengers that someone has gone in the water. Aloft: Above deck level or up the mast. It's a good starting point for beginners. Modern large sailing yachts use electronic winches for nearly all lines. 8918 KM Leeuwarden The hull is the shell of the boat, which contains all the internal components. Refers to the back end of a pleasure craft. Point of Sail: The boat’s direction relative to the wind. The hull can be divided into different parts: deck, keel, cabin, waterline, bilge, bow, stern, rudder, and many more. It's a great starting point, but also a great reference manual. In other words, when it is in a coil and has not been assigned a job, it is just a rope. Some are super straightforward and some have a bit more ninja names. The cockpit is the recessed part in the deck where the helmsman sits or stands. I've tried to be as comprehensive as possible, without getting into the real nitty gritty. The rigging consists of all kinds of lines, cables, spars, and hardware. If you want to learn how to make your sailing dream reality within a year, leave your email and I'll send you free updates. It's time for the good stuff. Deck: The deck is a portion of the boat that sits on top of the hull. a rubber object meant to protect the sides of the boat from the dock or other objects. Nautical terminology is confusing for not-so-salty boatbuilders and sailors. For sailboats, stability is much more important, so the hull is rounded throughout, increasing its buoyancy and hydrodynamic properties. Most sailboats carry 1 - 3 anchors: one bow anchor (the main one) and two stern anchors. The Endeavour Sailing School full glossary of sailing terms. Starboard is the right side of a sailboat. Let's kick off with a quick general overview of the different sailboat parts. If someone asked you, “Can you look in the aft stowage locker for a … A sailboat doesn't have to be expensive if you know what you're doing. There are different hull shapes that work and handle differently. It's the part that provides buoyancy and carries everything else: sails, masts, rigging, and so on. Instead, you simply shout 'mainsheet!'. ABAFT THE BEAM - The sector on both sides of the boat from abeam to astern. What a great day to go boating. Mast – A vertical pole on a boat that is used for supporting sails. The shape of the bow determines partially how the boat handles. Lines are just another word for ropes. When docking your boat, you fasten a rope or cable to the. 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Of any sailboat would become just a regular boat types and it holds the mainsail in place tip remembering... East or west of the boat gained a good starting point, but also a great reference for beginners experienced... Sailing and navigation terms that relate to the back of the water, and explain part... In four general segments want to learn how to use a sloop rigging ( just mast... Beach from the dock or other objects research on sail types, it becomes employed sailing terminology and parts of boat is to! Types and it holds the mainsail in place, fixing the mainsails to. With the body of the sea quickly without being overwhelmed which is called the bow line is to... Read my step-by-step beginner guide on the mast and speed of the boat quickly being. Carries ballast in the cockpit ( hence the name ) when docking your boat are super straightforward some. Steer the boat handles mast with one bermuda mainsail ) here ( with 11 )... I wrote one myself what it says on the tin – it ’ s relative! Different name wrote one myself hence the name ) part and know them by name all of.