Have you ever thought about learning how to sail? If so, then you should start by understanding the different parts of a sailboat if you want to sail your boat as efficiently as possible. Here they are in alphabetical order:

  • Block: This is the nautical term for a pulley.
  • Boom: The horizontal support for the foot of the mainsail which extends aft of the mast. This is what you want to watch out for when changing directions in a sailboat. It can give you quite a wallop on the head if it hits you.
  • Bow: This is what the front of the boat is called.
  • Centerboard: This is a (usually fibreglass) plate that pivots from the bottom of the keel in some boats and is used to balance the boat when under sail.
  • Cleat: Cleats are what lines (or ropes) get fastened to when they need to be kept tight.
  • Halyard: Lines that raise or lower the sails. (Along with the sheets, aka running rigging.)
  • Hull: The hull is the body of the boat and consists of everything below the deck.
  • Jib: This is the sail at the bow of the boat. The jib helps propel the boat forward.
  • Genoa: A foresail which is larger in size than a jib.
  • Keel: The keel is what prevents a boat from sliding sideways (“making leeway”) in whatever way the wind is blowing and stabilizes the boat.
  • Line: Lines are ropes. They are everywhere on boats. There is only one “rope” on a sailboat, the bolt rope which runs along the foot of the mainsail.
  • Mainsail: As the name implies, this is the main sail of the boat. It is the sail attached to the back of the mast.
  • Mast: The mast is a large, vertical pole that holds the sails up. Some boats have more than one mast.
  • Painter: This is a line positioned at the front of small boats. It is used to tie the boat to a dock or another boat.
  • Rudder: The rudder is how the boat is steered. It is moveable so that when you turn the wheel or tiller, the rudder directs the boat in the direction you would like the boat to go.
  • Sheets: The lines that control the sails. (aka running rigging.)
  • Spinnaker: The usually brightly colored sail used when sailing downwind or across the wind.
  • Stays and Shrouds: There are wires that make sure the mast stays upright, even in very heavy winds. (aka standing rigging.)
  • Stern: This is the term for the back of the boat.
  • Tiller: The tiller is a stick attached to the rudder and is used to control the rudder.
  • Transom: This is what we would call the butt of the boat. It is the back part of the boat that is perpendicular to its centerline.
  • Wheel: The wheel works the rudder, steering the boat.
  • Winch: Winches help bring in the lines. When lines are wrapped around a winch, a sailor can turn the winch with a handle, which will make it easier to bring in the lines.

Ready to learn how to sail? There are great sailing classes that you can take right here close to home! One of them is in Seabrook called 3D Coast Captains – check them out – they’ll be at the June Boat Show along with other exhibitors!

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