Boating & Sailing Lingo

Boating Basics Glossary of Terms

Boating Basics Online

Jib-part of a sail
Port-left side
Starboard-right side
Bow-front
Stern-back
Fore-toward the bow (front)
Aft-toward the stern (back)
Buoy-An anchored float used for marking a position on the water or a hazard
Hatch-An opening in a boat's deck fitted with a watertight cover
Screw-A boat's propeller.
Cleat-A fitting to which lines are made fast (tied).
Stanchion-upright or vertical
Gaff-part of the sailing rig
Boom-pole at the bottom of the sail
Dinghy-A small open boat
Mast-tall vertical pole to which the sails are attached
Galley-kitchen
Bowspirt-pole extending off the front of the boat for the sail.
Porthole-window
Rudder-A vertical plate or board for steering a boat
Trawler-type of boat
Sextant-navigational tool, like a compass, used to measure direction using the sky & stars.
Keel-centerline of the boat (underneath) running from front to back