Basic Sailing Terms

admin  August 3, 2024    Sailing     Previous Lesson  Comments (0)

75 Terms you need to know 

Here is a list of common sailing terms that are particularly relevant for a dinghy sailor:
Click on any term to get more fuller information

Parts of a Dinghy

• Aft: Towards the rear of the boat.
• Forward: Towards the front of the boat
• Bow: The front of the boat.
• Port: The left side of the boat when facing forward.
• Starboard: The right side of the boat when facing forward.
• Stern: The rear end of the boat.
• Boom: The horizontal pole that extends from the bottom of the mast, holding the foot of the sail.
• Forestay: The Wire or Rod that Supports the Mast and Holds the Foremost Sail
• Backstay: The wire or rod that runs from the top of the mast to the stern, providing aft support.
• Mast: The vertical pole that supports the sails.
• Spreader: A Horizontal Spar Used to Support the Mast
  
• Rigging: The system of ropes, wires, and other components that support and control the sails on a sailboat.
  
• Shroud: The wires or rods that provide lateral support to the mast.
• Rudder: A flat piece, usually at the stern, used to steer the boat.
• Centreboard: A retractable board that can be lowered to improve stability and reduce sideways drift.
• Halyard: A line (rope) used to hoist or lower the sails.
• Sheet: A line used to control the angle of the sail relative to the wind.

• Thwart: ​A bench seat that spans the width of a small boat, providing both seating and structural support.
• Vang: A Line or Tackle System Used to Control the Boom’s Vertical Angle
• Kicker: A Line or Tackle System Used to Control the Boom’s Vertical Angle and Sail Shape
• Gnav: An Inverted Vang System Used to Control the Boom’s Vertical Angle
• Outhaul: A Line Used to Tension the Foot of the Mainsail
• Downhaul: A Line Used to Control the Tension on the Luff of the Sail
• Heeling: The leaning of a boat caused by wind pressure on the sails.
  
• Leech: The trailing edge of the sail, which is affected by the vang’s tension.
  
• Luff: The leading edge of the sail, where the downhaul is applied to control tension.
• Foot: The bottom edge of the sail, running from the tack to the clew.
• Shoe: The Protective Strip at the Bottom of the Keel or Hull
• Cunningham: A line used to adjust the tension along the luff of the mainsail, working in conjunction with the outhaul to control sail shape.
  
• Keel: A fixed or retractable fin located along the bottom of the boat that provides stability and prevents sideways drift.
• Clew: The aft, lower corner of the sail, where the foot and leech meet.
• Draft: The deepest part of the sail, which can be adjusted forward or backward using the Cunningham.
  
• Daggerboard: A type of retractable centreboard that is lifted vertically.
• Hull: The main body of the boat.
• Helmsman: The person responsible for steering the boat, typically using the tiller or a wheel.
  
• Seat: A place in the boat where crew members sit.
• Gunwale: The upper edge of the boat's side.
• Bulkhead: A vertical partition within the boat, adding structural support and dividing the interior space.
• Tiller: A handle attached to the rudder used for steering.
• Transom: The flat part of the stern.
• Cockpit: The area of the boat where the helm is located and where primary control of the boat takes place, often equipped with seats.
• Cabin: The enclosed area of a boat where crew members can sit, sleep, and take shelter.
• Helm: The position from which the boat is steered, often located near the cockpit seating.
  

• Towing Line: A line used for towing another vessel.
• Anchor Line: A line attached to an anchor to secure the boat.
• Genoa: A large, lightweight sail used for downwind sailing.
• Jib: A Triangular Sail Set Forward of the Mast
  
• Mainsail: The primary sail attached to the mast and boom.
  
• Reefing: Reducing the sail area to adapt to stronger wind conditions.
  
• Burgee: A Small Flag or arrow at the top of the mast used to work out the wind direction
• Broad Reach: Sailing with the wind coming from behind at an angle.
  
• Spinnaker: A large, lightweight sail used for downwind sailing.
  
• Gennaker: A Hybrid Sail Combining Features of a Genoa and a Spinnaker
• Asymmetrical Spinnaker: A type of spinnaker with an asymmetrical shape, similar to a Gennaker.
  
• The uses of different shaped spinnakers
• Tell-tales: Small pieces of fabric or yarn attached to the sails that show airflow and help with sail trim.
  
• Trim:

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