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Nautical and Sailing Terms

Parts of a boat, directions, sailing moves and sea words.

103 cardsGrades 3–5, Grades 6–8, Grades 9–12, Adult#nautical#sailing#boating

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103 cards
  • BowTerm
    The front of a boat
  • SternTerm
    The back of a boat
  • PortTerm
    The left side when facing the bow
  • StarboardTerm
    The right side when facing the bow
  • ForeTerm
    Toward the bow
  • AftTerm
    Toward the stern
  • AbeamTerm
    At right angles to the boat's length
  • AmidshipsTerm
    In the middle of the boat
  • HullTerm
    The body of a boat
  • KeelTerm
    Central beam along the bottom of the hull
  • DeckTerm
    The floor of a boat
  • CabinTerm
    Enclosed living or sleeping space
  • GalleyTerm
    A boat's kitchen
  • HeadTerm
    A boat's toilet
  • Bunk (berth)Term
    A bed on a boat
  • HelmTerm
    The steering position or the wheel
  • TillerTerm
    A lever used to steer
  • RudderTerm
    Underwater blade that steers the boat
  • DraftTerm
    Depth of the boat below the waterline
  • FreeboardTerm
    Height of the hull above the water
  • BeamTerm
    The widest part of the boat
  • GunwaleTerm
    Upper edge of the side of the boat
  • TransomTerm
    Flat vertical surface at the stern
  • BilgeTerm
    The lowest inside part of the hull
  • MastTerm
    Tall vertical pole holding sails
  • BoomTerm
    Horizontal pole at the bottom of the mainsail
  • MainsailTerm
    Main sail on the mast
  • JibTerm
    Triangular sail at the front
  • SpinnakerTerm
    Large, balloon-like sail used downwind
  • GenoaTerm
    A large jib that overlaps the mast
  • HalyardTerm
    Rope that raises a sail
  • SheetTerm
    Rope that controls a sail's angle
  • RiggingTerm
    The ropes and wires that support masts and control sails
  • ShroudTerm
    Wire supporting the mast from the sides
  • StayTerm
    Wire supporting the mast fore and aft
  • LineTerm
    The nautical word for rope
  • CleatTerm
    Fitting used to secure a line
  • WinchTerm
    Device to pull lines with a crank
  • FenderTerm
    Cushion hung between boat and dock
  • AnchorTerm
    Heavy hook that holds a boat in place
  • RodeTerm
    Line and chain connecting boat to anchor
  • WindlassTerm
    Winch that raises the anchor
  • MooringTerm
    A permanent anchor point for boats
  • DockTerm
    Structure where boats tie up
  • PierTerm
    A platform extending into the water
  • MarinaTerm
    Harbor with docking for boats
  • HarborTerm
    Sheltered water where ships can anchor
  • Knot (speed)Term
    One nautical mile per hour
  • Nautical mileTerm
    About 1.15 land miles
  • FathomTerm
    Six feet of water depth
  • LeewardTerm
    The side away from the wind
  • WindwardTerm
    The side toward the wind
  • Lee shoreTerm
    Land that wind blows toward; dangerous for boats
  • TackTerm
    To turn the bow through the wind; also a boat's course relative to the wind
  • JibeTerm
    To turn the stern through the wind
  • Close-hauledTerm
    Sailing as close to the wind as possible
  • Beam reachTerm
    Sailing with the wind from the side
  • Broad reachTerm
    Sailing with the wind coming from behind at an angle
  • RunningTerm
    Sailing with the wind directly behind
  • In ironsTerm
    Stuck facing into the wind with no steering
  • HeelingTerm
    Leaning over from the force of the wind
  • CapsizeTerm
    To turn over
  • ReefTerm
    To reduce sail area in strong wind
  • LuffTerm
    The front edge of a sail; also when the sail flaps
  • LeechTerm
    The back edge of a sail
  • ClewTerm
    The lower back corner of a sail
  • Head of the sailTerm
    The top corner
  • Point of sailTerm
    Boat's direction relative to the wind
  • BearingTerm
    Direction from one point to another
  • HeadingTerm
    The direction the bow is pointing
  • CourseTerm
    The intended path
  • ChartTerm
    A nautical map
  • CompassTerm
    Instrument showing direction
  • LatitudeTerm
    Distance north or south of the equator
  • LongitudeTerm
    Distance east or west of the prime meridian
  • Dead reckoningTerm
    Estimating position from speed, time and heading
  • SextantTerm
    Instrument for measuring the angle of the sun or stars
  • GPSTerm
    Satellite navigation
  • BuoyTerm
    Floating marker on the water
  • Red right returningTerm
    When entering a harbor from the sea, keep red markers on your right
  • LighthouseTerm
    Tower with a light to guide ships
  • TideTerm
    The rise and fall of the sea level
  • Ebb tideTerm
    Falling tide
  • Flood tideTerm
    Rising tide
  • CurrentTerm
    A steady flow of water
  • SwellTerm
    Long wave moving across open water
  • WakeTerm
    Trail of waves behind a boat
  • SquallTerm
    A sudden strong wind
  • Beaufort scaleTerm
    Scale describing wind strength
  • PFD (life jacket)Term
    Personal flotation device
  • Man overboardTerm
    A cry meaning someone has fallen into the water
  • AhoyTerm
    A call to attract attention
  • Aye ayeTerm
    I understand and will obey
  • MaydayTerm
    Radio distress call
  • SkipperTerm
    The person in charge of a boat
  • CrewTerm
    People who work on a boat
  • MateTerm
    An officer ranking below the captain
  • BosunTerm
    Officer in charge of deck crew and equipment
  • VesselTerm
    A boat or ship
  • Knot (rope)Term
    A fastening made by tying rope; examples are bowline and cleat hitch

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