10 essential sailing terms every new sailor should know:
While the seasoned sailor would respond to the above command with quick action, one new to the sport might blink while staring at the skipper with confusion. If you're just getting started with sailing, learning the language of the sea is one of the most important first steps.
Mastering some basic terms will make your time on the water smoother and more enjoyable. Here are ten essential sailing terms every new sailor should know:
Port and Starboard
These terms are the foundations of navigation on a boat.
Port refers to the left-hand side of the boat when you're facing the bow (the front of the boat).
Starboard is the right-hand side of the boat when facing forward.
The crew may be facing different directions when a command is given, so a sailor’s right hand side may be different for each crew. Using port and starboard will alleviate any confusion of what side of the boat the skipper is talking about.
Tip to remember: Once you are sailing, you have “Left Port”.
Bow and Stern
Knowing the front and back of the boat is key:
The bow is the front of the boat.
The stern is the back of the boat.
Again, these terms help greatly with communication amongst the crew.
Windward and Leeward
These terms describe the relationship between the boat and the wind:
Windward refers to the direction from which the wind is coming.
Leeward is the opposite direction, where the wind is going.
Knowing these terms helps with everything from adjusting sails to steering the boat. Working with the wind is the basis for the whole concept of sailing.
Tacking and Jibing
These are two essential maneuvers for changing direction:
Tacking is when you turn the bow of the boat through the wind to change direction.
Jibing is when you turn the stern of the boat through the wind to change direction.
In your first sailing course you will learn the steps and commands to safely carry out each maneuver, but knowing the difference between tacking and jibing will be of great help.
Mainsail and Jib
These are the two most common sails on a sailing boat:
The mainsail is the large sail attached to the mast and the boom.
The jib is the smaller sail at the front of the boat, ahead of the mainsail.
These two sails are used at the same time and work together to “balance” the force of the wind on the boat. The correct trim of these two is the foundation of making a sailboat move properly through the water. Upper-level classes at The Sailing Academy will add more sails such as the spinnaker, gennaker, genoa, yankee, staysail, mizzen, and mizzen staysail, but the mainsail and jib will still be the foundation.
Ready to Set Sail?
Learning these terms will give you confidence and clarity as you set out on your sailing adventures. The more you practice, the more these terms will become second nature. All these are covered in Sailing Basics at The Sailing Academy. Remember, you cannot learn to sail on-line (or in a classroom). You need to board a sailboat and take the helm (wheel) yourself!
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