Question:
What basic sailing terms should I know before I learn to sail?
Study Basic Sailing Terms Before You Learn to Sail
If you just signed up for a basic sailing class, you are probably quite excited. We've all seen how majestic sailing can be. It looks effortless as a sailboat glides along the water but it's not. But when you first attend your sailboat lessons, you may feel very overwhelmed. Sailors talk a different language and--at first--it may not make sense. There are a lot of new terms you will be required to learn. What is the keel? What is the rudder? What does it mean when a sailboat is 'running'? Before you begin to learn to sail, it might be helpful to study some of the basic sailing terminology. Here are some terms and definitions to get you started:
- A hull is the body of the boat.
- A cockpit is where the crew sits to operate it.
- A keel is a vertical fin under the boat that adds stability.
- A rudder is an underwater fin that moves to help with steering.
- A tiller is a stick used to steer the boat from the cockpit.
- Rigging is the adjustable lines and hardware used to control the sails.
- Sheets move sails in and out while halyards move sails up and down.
- The mainsail is the larger sail that sits behind the mast.
- The mainsheet is its sheet.
- A jib is the sail set between the forwardmost mast and the headstay.
- A headstay is a line of wire or steel rod that supports the mast and adjusts its bend.
- The port side of the boat is its left side as the boat moves forward.
- The starboard side is the right.
- The bow is the front and the stern is the back.
- A tack is the way the boat is heading in relation to the wind. Tacking is changing direction from one side of wind to the other--while sailing towards the wind.
At first, these terms will seem hard to remember. But the more you are exposed to the 'lingo' of sailing the more it will stick with you. By taking a sailing course through a certified school, you will have the best chance of learning basic sailing in a way that becomes second nature to you.
Sailing Frequently Asked Questions
Where did boat shoe design originate?
What is a good boat shoe made of?
What is a good boat shoe for women?
Where did Sperry top-siders come from?
Can I get hypothermia while sailing?
What should I wear on a yacht?
Where can I learn to sail in the British Virgin Islands?
Is my sailing course tax-deductable?
What do "upwind" and "downwind" mean in sailing?
What's a fun honeymoon idea in the Caribbean?
What should I look for in a sailing course?
Why should I send my child to sailing camp?
Do children race sailboats professionally?
What's a good sailing navigation tip?
Why should I avoid standing birds when sailing?
What should I do if my hull gets scratched?
What is a one-design sailboat?
Do I need sailboat racing insurance?
How should I finish a yacht race?
What is a good team building activity for my company?
When should I overtake an opposition boat on a team sailing race?
How can I get more power from my mainsail?
How much should a crew member move during a regatta?
What is a slam dunk in sailing?
Where is the "sailing capital of the world"?
What should we look for in a two-person cruising course?
What should I bring on a sailing vacation?
Are there sailing courses for women only?
What should a package sailing vacation include?
How can I avoid falling overboard on a sailboat or yacht?
Can I join a yacht club if I don't own a boat?
What is a coastal navigation course?
What is involved in learning coastal navigation?
What kind of safety lighting is required on my sailboat?
Am I required to have flotation devices on my sailboat?
Is GPS technology enough to plot my sailing trip?
How can I learn about sail construction?
How do I take sailing lessons in New York City?
How do I maintain my sails on my sailboat?
What sailing terms should I learn first?
What should I wear on a sailboat?
Can I learn to sail in a vacation destination?
How does weather affect sailing?
How do I anchor and dock my sailboat?
How do I launch a sailboat from the shore?
What do I do if my sailboat capsizes?
How do I learn how to do blue water cruising in a sailboat?
Can my spouse and I take private sailing lessons?
What types of cruising courses can I take?
What will I learn in an advanced sailing course?
What will a good sailing course cover?
What will sailing lessons teach me about winch safety?
What would an advanced sailing course teach me?
How will a roller furling headsail help me learn more about sailing?
How do I learn high performance sailing techniques?
What will an advanced sailing course teach me?
What type of safety equipment should I have on my sailboat?
What does an abandon ship kit contain?
What are fenders for a sailboat?
What type of tools should I carry on my sailboat?
What kind of sailing accessories can I buy to have fun on the water?
What types of equipment failures can happen on a sailboat?
Is there a Florida Keys sailing school?
Is there a Long Island Sailing School
What benefits do sailing schools offer for beginning sailors?
What basic sailing terms should I know before I learn to sail?
How do I avoid sea sickness when I learn to sail?
Will handling a man overboard situation be covered in my learn to sail class?
What is the Captiva Island Sailing School
How do I stop a boat when sea sailing?
How do I execute a heave-to while sea sailing?
What do I need to know about sail charts when offshore sailing?
How can wind affect my offshore sailing trip?
What happens if I accidentally run my offshore sailboat into land?
Is chartering a sailboat expensive?
Can I sail my charter boat the same way I sail the boat I own?
How do I charter my own sailboat course?
Is there a sail training school in the Bahamas?
Where can I learn to sail in Florida?
Is there a sailing school in New Jersey?
Does Offshore Sailing School have a training program in NYC?
How do I obtain sailing certifications?
Do I need a boat certification for my new sailboat?
| Guru Spotlight |
| Sherril Steele-Carlin |
