If your bags are packed and your excitement is already sky-high, there’s just one more thing you need! Whether you’re an experienced sailor or stepping on board for the very first time, it’s a great idea to check out (and maybe even bring along) a list of the key sailing terms you’ll hear once you arrive on the ship.
Some words may seem obvious, but when it comes to sailing, a little extra knowledge never hurts. Dive in and get ready for the adventure!
Aft – Back of the ship.
Aloft – Anything high up on the mast, rigging, or other parts of the ship that are above the highest solid structure of the ship.
Anchor – A way of ‘parking’ the ship. It’s a chain or rope with a heavy metal hook at the end that digs into the sea floor to keep the ship from drifting away. Ideally, you drop the anchor in a spot without rocks or underwater plants.
Apparent wind – The wind you feel on the ship, which is created by the real wind plus the breeze generated by the ship’s own movement.
Ashore – On land, not on board the ship.
Baggywrinkle – A soft, fluffy covering placed over cables or other parts of the rigging to stop the sails from rubbing and wearing out. They’re usually made from pieces of yarn cut from old ropes.
Beam – The width of the boat at its widest point.
Belay – To make fast a rope around a cleat usually with a figure of eight knot.
Block – A pulley in a wooden or plastic case, consisting of a sheave around which a rope runs. It is used to change the direction of pull.
Boom – The long horizontal pole that sticks out from the mast and holds the bottom of the sail. It also makes a loud “boom!” if it swings and hits you, so stay alert and keep clear!
Bow – Front of the ship. Opposite to the aft and synonym of prow.
Bridge – It is the command center of the ship, where navigation and operations are controlled.
Bunk – A built-in wooden bed on a ship.
Aft – Back of the ship.
Aloft – Anything high up on the mast, rigging, or other parts of the ship that are above the highest solid structure of the ship.
Anchor – A way of ‘parking’ the ship. It’s a chain or rope with a heavy metal hook at the end that digs into the sea floor to keep the ship from drifting away. Ideally, you drop the anchor in a spot without rocks or underwater plants.
Apparent wind – The wind you feel on the ship, which is created by the real wind plus the breeze generated by the ship’s own movement.
Ashore – On land, not on board the ship.
Baggywrinkle – A soft, fluffy covering placed over cables or other parts of the rigging to stop the sails from rubbing and wearing out. They’re usually made from pieces of yarn cut from old ropes.
Beam – The width of the boat at its widest point.
Belay – To make fast a rope around a cleat usually with a figure of eight knot.
Block – A pulley in a wooden or plastic case, consisting of a sheave around which a rope runs. It is used to change the direction of pull.
Boom – The long horizontal pole that sticks out from the mast and holds the bottom of the sail. It also makes a loud “boom!” if it swings and hits you, so stay alert and keep clear!
Bow – Front of the ship. Opposite to the aft and synonym of prow.
Bridge – It is the command center of the ship, where navigation and operations are controlled.
Bunk – A built-in wooden bed on a ship.