Glossary

The position or direction at right angles to the centreline or keel of a vessel, typically on either side of the boat.

Abeam describes...

The area or direction behind a vessel, towards the stern.

Astern is a nautical term used to describe both a direction and a movement in...

The widest part of a vessel, measured at its broadest point across the hull.

The term beam is a fundamental concept in nautical terminology,...

The forward part of a vessel, designed to cut through the water and reduce resistance.

The bow of a vessel is its frontmost section, typically...

A type of multihulled vessel featuring two parallel hulls of equal size, connected by a deck or framework, offering stability, speed, and...

The lower aft corner of a sail, where the foot and leech meet, and is often equipped with a grommet or cringle for attaching control lines such...

A downhaul is a line or tackle to apply downward tension on a sail or spar to control its shape and optimise performance.

The downhaul is an...

The forward part of a vessel's deck, located towards the bow and often used for anchoring, mooring, or storage.

The foredeck is a critical...

The section of a vessel that is located towards the bow, or front, of the ship.

Forward refers to the area or direction towards the bow...

The kitchen or cooking area on a ship or boat, typically compact and designed for efficient use of space.

Unlike a kitchen in a house, the...

A specialised resin-based coating applied to the surface of fibreglass boats to provide a smooth, durable, and protective outer layer.

Gelcoat...

To steer or direct a vessel using its helm or steering apparatus. The apparatus or position used to steer and control a vessel, typically...

Refers to something located in the forward left quadrant of a vessel, between directly ahead and 90 degrees to the port (left) side.

"On the...

Refers to a position or object located forward of the vessel and to the right-hand side when facing the bow (front) of the ship.

"On the...

The area of a vessel located towards the rear (aft) on the right-hand side when facing forward.

The phrase "on the starboard quarter" is a...

A line or tackle system used to adjust the tension and position of the sail's clew along the boom, affecting the sail's shape and...

The left-hand side of a vessel when facing forward towards the bow.

The term "port" is used in maritime navigation to refer to the left side...

The side of a vessel that is perpendicular to its centreline and located on the left-hand side when facing forward towards the bow.

The term...

The forward left-hand side of a vessel when facing the bow (front).

The term "port bow" is a specific designation used in nautical contexts to...

The aft-left section of a vessel when facing forward, located between the port beam and the stern.

The term "port quarter" is a specific...

Ropes or cords used to reduce the sail area by securing a portion of the sail to the boom or mast, thereby making the vessel more manageable in...

The flat, horizontal planks or panels that form the flooring of a boat's interior, typically installed over the bilge area to provide a stable...

A spar used on sailing vessels to control one clew of a spinnaker sail when sailing downwind.

A spinnaker pole is a key piece of equipment...

The right-hand side of a vessel when facing forward towards the bow.

Starboard is a fundamental directional reference used to describe the...

The side of a vessel that is directly to the right, at a 90-degree angle from the centreline, when facing forward.

The term starboard beam is...

The forward section of a vessel's right-hand side when facing the bow (front) of the ship.

The term "starboard bow" is a specific nautical...

The rear right-hand section of a vessel when facing forward towards the bow.

The term "starboard quarter" is a specific navigational and...

A large, lightweight, balloon-shaped sail used when sailing downwind, designed with identical halves to allow it to be flown on either side of...

A sliding fitting or track on a sailing vessel, used to adjust the position of a sail's sheet or other control lines for optimal sail...