#separator:tab #html:false #tags column:4 Bow The front of a boat tp-nautical-terms Stern The back of a boat tp-nautical-terms Port The left side when facing the bow tp-nautical-terms Starboard The right side when facing the bow tp-nautical-terms Fore Toward the bow tp-nautical-terms Aft Toward the stern tp-nautical-terms Abeam At right angles to the boat's length tp-nautical-terms Amidships In the middle of the boat tp-nautical-terms Hull The body of a boat tp-nautical-terms Keel Central beam along the bottom of the hull tp-nautical-terms Deck The floor of a boat tp-nautical-terms Cabin Enclosed living or sleeping space tp-nautical-terms Galley A boat's kitchen tp-nautical-terms Head A boat's toilet tp-nautical-terms Bunk (berth) A bed on a boat tp-nautical-terms Helm The steering position or the wheel tp-nautical-terms Tiller A lever used to steer tp-nautical-terms Rudder Underwater blade that steers the boat tp-nautical-terms Draft Depth of the boat below the waterline tp-nautical-terms Freeboard Height of the hull above the water tp-nautical-terms Beam The widest part of the boat tp-nautical-terms Gunwale Upper edge of the side of the boat tp-nautical-terms Transom Flat vertical surface at the stern tp-nautical-terms Bilge The lowest inside part of the hull tp-nautical-terms Mast Tall vertical pole holding sails tp-nautical-terms Boom Horizontal pole at the bottom of the mainsail tp-nautical-terms Mainsail Main sail on the mast tp-nautical-terms Jib Triangular sail at the front tp-nautical-terms Spinnaker Large, balloon-like sail used downwind tp-nautical-terms Genoa A large jib that overlaps the mast tp-nautical-terms Halyard Rope that raises a sail tp-nautical-terms Sheet Rope that controls a sail's angle tp-nautical-terms Rigging The ropes and wires that support masts and control sails tp-nautical-terms Shroud Wire supporting the mast from the sides tp-nautical-terms Stay Wire supporting the mast fore and aft tp-nautical-terms Line The nautical word for rope tp-nautical-terms Cleat Fitting used to secure a line tp-nautical-terms Winch Device to pull lines with a crank tp-nautical-terms Fender Cushion hung between boat and dock tp-nautical-terms Anchor Heavy hook that holds a boat in place tp-nautical-terms Rode Line and chain connecting boat to anchor tp-nautical-terms Windlass Winch that raises the anchor tp-nautical-terms Mooring A permanent anchor point for boats tp-nautical-terms Dock Structure where boats tie up tp-nautical-terms Pier A platform extending into the water tp-nautical-terms Marina Harbor with docking for boats tp-nautical-terms Harbor Sheltered water where ships can anchor tp-nautical-terms Knot (speed) One nautical mile per hour tp-nautical-terms Nautical mile About 1.15 land miles tp-nautical-terms Fathom Six feet of water depth tp-nautical-terms Leeward The side away from the wind tp-nautical-terms Windward The side toward the wind tp-nautical-terms Lee shore Land that wind blows toward; dangerous for boats tp-nautical-terms Tack To turn the bow through the wind; also a boat's course relative to the wind tp-nautical-terms Jibe To turn the stern through the wind tp-nautical-terms Close-hauled Sailing as close to the wind as possible tp-nautical-terms Beam reach Sailing with the wind from the side tp-nautical-terms Broad reach Sailing with the wind coming from behind at an angle tp-nautical-terms Running Sailing with the wind directly behind tp-nautical-terms In irons Stuck facing into the wind with no steering tp-nautical-terms Heeling Leaning over from the force of the wind tp-nautical-terms Capsize To turn over tp-nautical-terms Reef To reduce sail area in strong wind tp-nautical-terms Luff The front edge of a sail; also when the sail flaps tp-nautical-terms Leech The back edge of a sail tp-nautical-terms Clew The lower back corner of a sail tp-nautical-terms Head of the sail The top corner tp-nautical-terms Point of sail Boat's direction relative to the wind tp-nautical-terms Bearing Direction from one point to another tp-nautical-terms Heading The direction the bow is pointing tp-nautical-terms Course The intended path tp-nautical-terms Chart A nautical map tp-nautical-terms Compass Instrument showing direction tp-nautical-terms Latitude Distance north or south of the equator tp-nautical-terms Longitude Distance east or west of the prime meridian tp-nautical-terms Dead reckoning Estimating position from speed, time and heading tp-nautical-terms Sextant Instrument for measuring the angle of the sun or stars tp-nautical-terms GPS Satellite navigation tp-nautical-terms Buoy Floating marker on the water tp-nautical-terms Red right returning When entering a harbor from the sea, keep red markers on your right tp-nautical-terms Lighthouse Tower with a light to guide ships tp-nautical-terms Tide The rise and fall of the sea level tp-nautical-terms Ebb tide Falling tide tp-nautical-terms Flood tide Rising tide tp-nautical-terms Current A steady flow of water tp-nautical-terms Swell Long wave moving across open water tp-nautical-terms Wake Trail of waves behind a boat tp-nautical-terms Squall A sudden strong wind tp-nautical-terms Beaufort scale Scale describing wind strength tp-nautical-terms PFD (life jacket) Personal flotation device tp-nautical-terms Man overboard A cry meaning someone has fallen into the water tp-nautical-terms Ahoy A call to attract attention tp-nautical-terms Aye aye I understand and will obey tp-nautical-terms Mayday Radio distress call tp-nautical-terms Skipper The person in charge of a boat tp-nautical-terms Crew People who work on a boat tp-nautical-terms Mate An officer ranking below the captain tp-nautical-terms Bosun Officer in charge of deck crew and equipment tp-nautical-terms Vessel A boat or ship tp-nautical-terms Knot (rope) A fastening made by tying rope; examples are bowline and cleat hitch tp-nautical-terms Bowline A knot that makes a fixed loop tp-nautical-terms Clove hitch A knot that fastens a line to a post tp-nautical-terms Figure eight A stopper knot at the end of a line tp-nautical-terms