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

Free flashcards from Peabody at peabody.kids/flashcards/tp-nautical-terms