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Sailing Terms


Before sailing in a paradise island or have the time of your life in the peaceful sea or ocean, sail along and be informed of the basic sailing terminology.

Often times, sailing websites assumed that you are aware of the terms they applied in their articles but this one will run you down with the most basic information: sailing terms.

The first thing that you need to learn is the terms applied in the recreational activity of sailing to better understand how it all works.

So be informed of the basic sailing terminology listed below and get a hold of the first-hand lesson right here.

Boat’s directions

The directions of the boat have the terms applied by most sailors. It is essential to say the right sailing terms so you will be easily understood by the experts.

The front of the boat is called the “Bow” while the back part of it is called “Stern”. If you try to look at the left side of the boat forwardly that side is called the “Port”, while the right side is the “Starboard”.

If the boat is going towards the direction of the wind, the term for that is “Up” while if it is going away the direction of the wind it is called “Down”.

The term used to call the part of the boat that is towards the bow is “Forward” while the opposite of it that it pointing toward the stern is “Aft”.

However, the part of the boat that is towards the sky is called “Aloft” and the opposite of it which is towards the bottom of the sea is called “Below”.

You will realize that the terms applied are common terms in the English language that seemingly related with the way it is pointing. So to better grasp the sailing terms of the directions of the boat: just go remember the simplest word.

Sailing and boat

The largest sail which is connected to the main parts of the boat is commonly called the “Main Sail”. “Centerboard”, on the other hand, is the flat metal part that is expanding from the lower side of the hull to balance out the boat.

The rope line where you can control the sail is called the “Sheet. Like in our body, the top edge of the sail whether it is triangular or the four-sided sail is the “head” while the opposite side of it which is the bottom edge of the sail is the “Foot”.

“Tiller” is the handle expanding from the rudder at a right angle that permits the sailor to rotate or steer the boat. The main pole that is attached from the bottom of the sail that is extended in the mast at a right angle is often called the “Boom”.

Now that you are aware of the sailing terms, you should advance to the next level of knowing how to sail and the more technical terminology applies in sailing. Congratulations for you passed the lesson on be informed of the basic sailing terminology, keep sailing.

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