The A-Z of Sailing Terms and Phrases

Posted by:GJW Direct | October 04, 2022

Whether you’re a beginner learning how to sail or if you’ve got some experience of boating, there’s so much boat jargon out there that it can set you adrift. We’ve put together a guide to the essential sailing terms and phrases that you need to know to improve your confidence both on and off the boat.

Click on the letter of the alphabet to learn the essential sailing terms for each letter.

A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, W, X, Y, Z.

Abaft	Toward or at the stern of a boat.
Abeam	The perpendicular line that runs across the keel of the boat or vessel.
Aboard	On or into the boat or vessel.
Above Deck	On the deck.
Abreast	Faced in the same direction, side by side, at the same speed and position.
Adrift	To describe a boat floating loose without moorings or tow rope.
Aft	Also known as the afterdeck, it is located at the rear (stern) of the boat or vessel.
Aground	When a boat is lying on or touching the ground in shallow water.
Ahead	Anything in front of the boat (or in a forward direction), such as an object or destination.
A-hull	To sail out a storm or severe weather with no sails set and the helm lashed to head into the wind.
Aids to Navigation	Any signal, marker, or artificial equipment that aids a boat to navigate through safe and unsafe waters.
Alee	On the side of a boat facing away from the direction of the wind.
All Standing	All the sails are flying on a boat or vessel before running downwind.
Aloft	Above the boat's deck, usually overhead on the rigging or the mast.
Amidships	Located in the middle of a boat or vessel.
Anchorage	A location (such as a harbour) suitable for a boat to anchor.
Apparent Wind	A combination of true wind and wind created by the boat's movement. Apparent wind speed is the wind you feel as the boat moves.
Astern	Behind or in the rear of the boat or vessel.
Astern - to go Astern	To move backwards or reverse the boat/vessel.
Athwartships	Having a position across a boat from side to side at right angles to the boat's centreline or keel.
Autopilot	A device used for self-steering on a boat or vessel. It is connected to the boat's steering mechanism and uses a compass to navigate the course.
Auxiliary Power	An engine installed on the boat, used in windless conditions to propel boats in harbours and channels, where vessels are difficult to steer under sail.
Aweigh	An anchor positioned just clear of the ocean floor.

B

Back a sail	To shift wind against the lee side (side facing away from the wind) of a sail from another sail.
Bailer	A container used for draining water from a boat to prevent it from sinking.
Ballast	Heavy material, usually gravel, lead, or iron, used to establish stability in a ship's bilge or keel, to prevent the boat from capsizing.
Batten down	Fasten hatches, loose objects on deck, and items inside the boat to prevent things from moving or becoming damaged.
Beam	The widest point of the boat.
Bearing	The direction of an object from one place to another, as measured in degrees true or magnetic.
Bearing away	Steering the boat away from the wind.
Below	Below or beneath the deck.
Bight	A bend in a rope.
Bilge	The lower area inside the ship's hull, below the floor where water accumulates.
Bilge pump	An electric or manual pump to remove the water accumulated in the bilge.
Bimini	Cover for the cockpit or deck of a boat, usually made from lightweight, weather-proof fabric stretched over a metal frame to protect from rain or sun.
Bitter end	The inboard end of the anchoring line. There is no more line once the line is paid out to the bitter end, and you are at the end of your rope.
Boat	A small vessel for travelling over water using oars, sails, or an engine.
Boat Hook	Equipment used to pick up mooring buoys, recover objects dropped or left overboard, and dock and undock a boat.
Boom	A horizontal pole or spar running at a right angle from the bottom of the mast. Provides greater control over sail shape and angle.
Bow	The front of a boat.
Bow line	Docking line leading from the boat's front (the bow).
Bower	An anchor carried at the front (bow) of a ship.
Bowline	A knot used to make a temporary non-slipping loop at the end of a rope.
Bridge	A room or platform onboard a ship from where the vessel is controlled. In most cases, the bridge is operated by an officer aided by a seaman acting as a lookout.
Bridle	A V-shaped line, wire, or rope attached to the boat's mooring system.
Bulkhead	A wall within the hull of a ship that separates compartments.
Buoy	Anchored navigation floats used to mark reefs, hazards, or for mooring.
Burdened vessel	A vessel responsible for moving out of a privileged vessel's path according to navigation rules. Also called the give-way vessel.

C

Cabin	A room inside the boat, designed for crew and passengers.
Capsize	For a boat to turn over in water.
Cast off	Untying the boat's rope from the land to sail away.
Catamaran	A sailboat consisting of two hulls side by side, connected by a bridge deck.
Centreboard	A pivoting board lowered through a slot in the keel to prevent the boat from making lateral movements.
Chafing Gear	Material, usually cloth or canvas covering, wrapped around a line or spar to protect it from chafing or rubbing against a rough surface.
Chart	A nautical map used for coastal navigation.
Chine	The angle change in the cross-sectional area of the boat's hull.
Chock	Support fittings on ships that direct anchors or mooring lines to and from shores / other vessels.
Cleat	A wooden, metal or plastic device is mounted to a deck to secure a line or rope.
Clove Hitch	Type of knot used for temporarily securing a rope twice around a spar or another rope.
Coaming	A raised frame around the edge of a boat's cockpit or hatch to keep water out.
Cockpit	An enclosed compartment on deck, usually from where a boat is controlled or steered.
Coil	To wind a rope or line down in a series of loops.
Course	The path and direction that a vessel follows.
Cuddy	An enclosed room or compartment.
Cunningham	Rigging line used to haul down sails and spars (also called a downhaul).
Current	The movement of a body of water.

D

Davit	A small crane onboard a ship used to hoist, lower, and support equipment, such as lifeboats and anchors.
Dead Ahead	Just ahead or right in front of a ship.
Dead Astern	Directly behind or aft of the vessel.
Dead Reckoning	Navigating one's position, especially at sea.
Deadrise	The vertical distance between a line horizontal to the keel of a boat and the hull surface. Typically, a ship with a high degree of deadrise will have a deeper, sharper V-shaped hull.
Deck	The roof or permanent covering over compartments or the boat's hull.
Deckhand	A member of a ship's crew responsible for maintaining, cleaning, and mooring the boat.
Dinghy	A small open boat, often used as a tender or lifeboat for a larger vessel. Can be rowed, sailed, or driven by a motor.
Displacement	The volume of water that is moved when the vessel is at sea.
Displacement Hull	A boat hull that relies on buoyancy to carry its weight. The hull lies partially submerged and pushes water aside as it moves.
Distance	To measure the distance travelled in water, nautical miles are used. One nautical mile = 1.852 km.
Dock	An enclosed water area, like a wharf, in a port for mooring vessels and loading, unloading, and repairing ships.
Downhaul	Rigging line used to haul down sails and spars (also called a Cunningham).
Draft	The boat's deepest point measured from the waterline. A boat's draft is the minimum depth of water required for a boat to float.
Drift	A boat floating with the current or the wind without propulsion.
Drogue	A piece of sea equipment attached to the stern of boats, which trails behind them on a long line to slow them down in bad weather.

E

EBB	The tide moving away from land.
Ensign	A flag or standard, especially one used by naval forces, indicating a ship's nationality.
Epirb	Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon or EPIRB used to alert search and rescue services during emergencies.
ETA	Estimated Time of Arrival.
ETD	Estimated Time of Departure.

F

Fathom	A unit of length equal to six feet (1.8 metres) refers to water depth.
Fender	A cushioned bumper placed between boats or between boats and a jetty that can absorb shock and prevent damage when mooring.
Figure Eight Knot	A type of stopper knot, shaped in a figure eight, which will jam under strain.
Fix	The point at which two position lines intersect.
Flare	Designed to signal distress or warn other vessels of your position. Also – the curved sides of a vessel’s hull, near the bow.
Flood/Flow	An approaching water wave.
Flybridge	Deck above the main level of a vessel with duplicate controls for driving.
Following Sea	A wave direction that matches the direction the vessel's bow is pointing.
Fore-and-aft	Located at both ends of a boat.
Forepeak	The forward lower compartment used for storage of cargo in a boat.
Forward	The most forward side of a ship, facing the bow.
Fouled	Equipment becomes entangled or damaged. Used to describe the state of an anchor that has become hooked on some impediment on the seafloor.
Freeboard	Distance from the waterline to the top of a boat's sides or deck.

G

Galley	A compartment of a boat where food is cooked and prepared.
Gangway	A narrow passage used for boarding or disembarking a ship.
Gear	Equipment and sailing accessories such as ropes, nets, and lifejackets.
Give Way	For a vessel to change course, slow down, or standby as it allows another ship to pass.
Give Way Vessel	Overtaking vessels stand clear of the vessel being overtaken. The former is the give-away vessel, while the latter is the stand-on vessel.
GMDSS	Global Maritime Distress and Safety System.
GNSS	Global Navigation Satellite System.
Grab Rails	Safety hand-hold devices fitted to walls of the boat, designed to help a person retain balance while manoeuvring around a ship.
Ground Tackle	Gear used to anchor or moor boats or ships.
Gunwale/s	The uppermost edge or planking of a ship's side.

H

Halyard	Rope used to hoist and lower a sail, yard, or flag on a boat.
Hank	Metal hooks used to attach sails to stays.
Hard Chine	The angle change in the cross-sectional area of the boat's hull. A hard chine is an angle with little rounding, whereas a soft chine is more rounded.
HAT	Highest Astronomical Tide.
Hatch	An opening in the deck which provides access to the inside of the ship.
Head	A toilet on a ship or boat.
Head up	Steer towards or closer to the wind.
Heading	The direction in which a vessel is facing at any given moment.
Headway	Moving in a forward direction through water.
Heave-to	Come to a stop or nearly standstill while out at sea by steering into the wind.
Helm	Equipment used for steering a ship or boat, such as a tiller or wheel.
Helmsperson	The person in charge of steering a ship or boat.
Hitch	A type of knot used for attaching rope to an object.
Hold	The ship's hold, also called the cargo hold, is a space or compartment below the deck reserved for carrying goods.
Hull	A boat or vessel's main body.

I

Inboard	Towards the vessel's centre; inside the hull; having an inboard engine.
Irons (In Irons)	Sailing directly into the wind, without the sails driving you forward, meaning the boat may be stuck.
IRPCS	International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea.
IMO	International Maritime Organisation
ITU	International Telecommunication Union
Isobars	Lines connecting areas of equal atmospheric pressure on a weather map.

J

Jacob's Ladder	A portable ladder made of rope or metal used primarily to assist passengers in boarding ships or boats.
Jetty	A long structure made of wood, stone, or concrete that protects a coastline from the tides and currents. Jetties extend from the shore into the water.
Jackstay	A cable running fore-and-aft (at the front and rear of the boat) on both sides to which safety harnesses are attached. Used to support and guide a load.
Jury	A temporary replacement for missing or damaged gear.

K

Kedge	A secondary, smaller anchor onboard a boat.
Keel	An essential structural component of a ship or boat, running along the centre of the base of the hull from stem to stern. Typically made of timber or steel, it is used to support the framework of the vessel and can increase stability and buoyancy.
Ketch	A two-masted vessel, similar to a yawl, whose mainmast is taller than the mizzen mast.
Kicker	A control mechanism used to pull the boom down and control the sail's shape.
Knot (1)	Knot in navigation, a measure of speed at sea equals one nautical mile (1.852km) per hour.
Knot (2)	A fastening made by looping a rope or other similar material around itself and tightening it around an object. Can be used to attach a rope to a ring, hook, anchor, or other objects.

L

LAT	Lowest Astronomical Tide.
Latitude	Measured distance in degrees, North or South of the equator.
Layline	Lines that extend from the upwind objective at the angle at which the boat can sail to clear the windward mark.
Lazarette	A storage area in the rear (stern) part of a ship.
League	Around three nautical miles.
Lee	The side of the ship sheltered from the wind.
Leeward	Facing the opposite direction in which the wind is blowing.
Leeway	Wind- or current-driven motion causing a boat to go off course.
Length Overall (LOA)	The boat's overall length is determined by the distance between the bow and stern.
Length Water Line (LWL)	The length of a ship or boat when it's in the water.
Life Buoy	A ring-shaped flotation device used to help someone overboard.
Line	Cords, cables, and ropes used aboard a ship.
Log	An instrument used to measure the speed of a boat as well as a record of operations on a ship.
Longitude	Measured from the Greenwich Meridian. Up to 180 degrees West or 180 degrees East of Greenwich.
Lubber's Line	Navigation line on a compass that indicates the heading of a vessel.
Luffing	Sailing the boat into the wind.

M

Mainsheet	A sheet used for controlling the angle of the mainsail.
Making Way	The vessel is making way through water, using the momentum of the engine or sail.
Mark	An object a boat must pass or round on a required side.
Marlin Board	A small deck fixed to the rear of the boat that allows passengers to access the water (like a swimboard).
Marlinspike	A sharp metal tool used to open or splice rope, untie knots or form toggles.
Mast	A long pole usually rises straight up from the deck or keel of a ship. Its purpose includes carrying the sails, derricks, and spars.
Midship	A ship or boat's middle section (located directly between the bow and stern).
Mooring	Attaching or securing a boat to a buoy, pier, or post. Also called docking.

N

Nautical Mile	A unit used to measure the distance travelled through the water (equal to 1,852 metres)
Navigation	The process of determining a boat's position and planning and following a route.
Navigation Lights	All vessels must use red, green, and white navigation lights between sunset and sunrise and when visibility is limited. Another term for running lights.
Navigation Rules	Regulations that establish a consistent method of navigating safely and avoiding collisions when two boats are crossing paths, en route to collide, or when vessels want to overtake.

O

Obstruction	Objects in or on the water that a boat cannot overtake without changing course substantially to avoid them. E.g. The shore.
Outboard	An engine mounted on the boat's stern that powers and steers the vessel.
Outhaul	A sailboat control line that attaches the mainsail clew to the boom and tightens the foot of the sail.
Overboard	Over the side of a boat into the water.

Painter	Rope used to tie up or tow a dinghy or other small boat.
Panpan	An emergency call requesting assistance on a boat.
Pay out	Gradually feed out a rope or line.
Personal Flotation Device (PFD)	Personal Flotation Device, also known as a life jacket, can be used to help keep afloat when you enter water.
Pier	A long, narrow structure projecting from the shore into the sea, used for loading.
Pile	A pointed spar made of wood, metal or concrete driven into the seabed and projected above the water. It can be used to support piers and structures.
Piloting	In waters, piloting determines a vessel's position using fixed points of reference, usually via a nautical chart, to select a desired course or destination.
Pitch	The rising and falling of the bow and stern of a vessel, like the way a teeter-totter rises up and down.
Planing	A vessel with enough power can glide over the top of the water rather than through it.
Planing Hull	A hull designed to rise up and skim over the surface of water when enough power is supplied.
Plimsoll Line	A reference mark on a ship's hull indicating how deep it may safely be submerged when cargo is aboard.
Port	A harbour; The left side of the boat is called the port side.
Port tack	Wind coming over the port side of the boat.
Privileged Vessel	The boat that has the right of way (the other boat is known as the burdened vessel)
Pulpit	A protective metal rail fitted at the bow (front) of a boat.
Pushpit	A protective metal rail fitted at the stern (rear) of a boat.
PWC	Personal Water Craft (PWC), also called a water scooter or jet ski, is a recreational watercraft consisting of an inboard motor powering a water jet pump as a source of propulsion and is designed to be operated by a person standing, sitting, or kneeling on the vessel rather than inside it.

Q

Quarter

Either side of the stern/rear of a ship.

R

Reaching	Sailing across the wind with the sails eased.
Reefing	Temporarily reducing the area of a sail exposed to the wind.
Rig	The system of ropes, chains, and cables that support a boat's mast, sails, and spars.
Rope	Cordage used for line aboard a vessel.
Roll	Titling motion of a ship caused by wind and waves pushing against it.
Rudder	Part of the underwater steering apparatus of a boat. Located outside the hull and near the stern.
Run	The point of sail with the wind aft (travelling with the wind instead of against), the sheets relaxed, and the line fed freely.
Running	A boat sailing directly downwind.
Running Lights	All vessels must use red, green, and white navigation lights between sunset and sunrise and when visibility is limited. Another term for navigation lights.

S

Sail Trim	The position and control of sails by trimming them or adjusting the tension on the sail's sheet.
Sand bar	Submerged in shallow waters or partially exposed sand banks caused by waves and currents offshore from a beach.
Satellite Navigation (SAT NAV)	A combination of satellite transmissions and mapping software onboard determines the vessel's location and plans the best route to a specific destination.
Scope	The ratio of the length of an anchor rode to the vertical distance from the bow to the depth of water.
Screw	A propeller.
Scuppers	A hole or opening in the side walls of a ship that allows water to empty instead of collecting within the gunwales or bulwarks.
Sea cock	A valve on the ship's hull that allows water to seep in and out of the boat through an opening near the waterline.
Sea room	A clear space needed to move or turn a ship at sea.
Seamanship	The skill and techniques of navigating and maintaining a boat at sea.
Seaworthy	Sufficient condition of a boat to sail on the sea.
Secure	To secure or firmly fasten a rope, line, or door on a vessel.
Set	The direction in which a tidal current flows.
Sextant	The sextant is a navigational instrument used to measure the angular distance between astronomical objects at sea.
Ship	A large vessel or boat for transporting people and goods.
Slack	A loose or unfastened part of a rope or sail.
Sounding	Depth sounding is the process of measuring the depth of a body of water.
Speed	Sailing speeds are measured in knots; 1 knot = 1 nautical mile per hour.
Spinnaker Pole	Used on sailboats to support and control headsails, including spinnakers (also known as booms or spars).
Spinnaker	A large sail with three corners, designed for use when a boat is sailing off the wind.
Spreader	Horizontal spars on a sailing boat used to deflect the shrouds to support the mast better.
Spring Line	A line led from the bow or stern to a point on a harbour and secured to prevent the boat or vessel from moving fore and aft while docked.
Squall	An abrupt gust of wind that is often accompanied by severe weather like storms or rain.
Square Knot	Knot created to fasten the two ends of a line together and make a stopper. Also known as a reef knot.
Starboard	The right side of a ship when facing forward.
Starboard Tack	Wind strikes the starboard (right) side of the ship.
Stem	Part of the front of the boat (the bow) and an extension of the keel.
Stern	The back end or rear of a vessel.
Stern Line	A mooring line which extends from the stern to the dock.
Stow	Put or store an object carefully in a safe place.
Strong Wind Warning	Marine warnings are broadcasted to ships when winds reach extreme speeds (at least 25 knots are expected)
Swamp	To fill a boat with water, but it remains floating.
Swimboard	A platform fixed to the rear of the boat that allows passengers to access the water (like a marlin board).

T

Tacking	To change course by manoeuvring the boat's bow into the wind.
Tender	A small boat, like a lifeboat, used for transporting passengers to and from the main vessel.
Tide	The periodic cycle of water levels rising and falling vertically in the ocean.
Tiller	The horizontal bar attached to the head of the rudder or motor on a boat; used to direct the vessel's movement.
Topsides	Above or on deck; the sides of a ship between the waterline and deck, including the visible parts of the bow and stern.
Transom	Vertical reinforcement that strengthens the stern of a vessel. Can be used to support a rudder, outboard motor, or as a swimming and access platform.
Trim	Balance or adjust the boat's fore-and-aft angle at which it floats.
True Wind	The direction and speed of the actual wind felt when the boat is stationary, or you're on land.

U

Underway	A boat moving through the water when not moored.
Uphaul	A rope used for raising up a boat's sail or centreboard.

V

V Berth	Boat bed bunks forming a V at the front.
V Bottom	A hull with a V-shaped bottom section.
Veer	Changing the course of a boat by turning the stern windward.
V Sheet	Bright orange signalling device with a large black "V" in the middle, used to indicate distress and is required for all ships that operate in open waters.

W

Wake	Water disturbance / waves produced by a boat moving through the water at high speeds, leaving behind a path or track.
Wash	Similar to Wake – Waves or water disturbance made by a boat moving through water.
Waterline	The point or level where the hull of a ship meets the water's surface.
Way	Describes the motion of a vessel through water (headway, sternway, and leeway).
Windward	The direction from which the wind is coming.

X

XTE	XTE, or Cross Track Error, indicates how far you are off your assigned route from a starting point to a destination.

Y

Yacht	Medium-sized sailing boat, suitable for recreational use such as cruising or racing.
Yawl	A two-masted sailboat equipped with a mainsail, a jib sail, and a mizzen sail.

Z

Zinc block

Also known as boat anodes, metal blocks, usually made of zinc, are eaten away by electrolysis underwater, preventing galvanic corrosion of underwater metal parts of the boat.

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The A-Z of Sailing Terms and Phrases

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C

D

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I

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M

N

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