Parts of the Boat

Question 1

Keel

Answer 1

A fixed appendage on the bottom of the hull that provides sideways resistance needed to counter the force of the wind on the sails. The keel also carries ballast, usually iron or lead, the weight of which counteracts the force of the wind that causes a sailboat to heel, or lean over.

Question 2

Hull

Answer 2

The watertight structural shell of a boat.

Question 3

Bow

Answer 3

The forward part of a boat

Question 4

Stern

Answer 4

The aft or rear part of the boat.

Question 5

Transom

Answer 5

The more or less flat surface that closes the hull at the stern

Question 6

Rudder

Answer 6

The sailboat is steered by a fin-shaped appendage attached beneath the boat toward the stern which can be rotated to change the angle at which the water strikes it. Water must flow past the rudder in order for it to work so it will not turn the boat while at rest. The rudder is controlled by a wheel or a tiller at the helm of the boat.

Question 7

Helmsman

Answer 7

The person steering the boat is the helmsman.

Question 8

Cockpit

Answer 8

The area of the boat, usually recessed into the deck, from which the boat is steered and sailed.

Question 9

Deck

Answer 9

The generally horizontal surface that encloses the top of the hull.

Question 10

Companionway

Answer 10

The entrance from the cockpit or deck to the cabin.

Question 11

Stanchion

Answer 11

A metal post that supports lifelines.

Question 12

Lifeline

Answer 12

A wire supported on stanchions around the perimeter of the deck to prevent the crew from falling overboard.

Question 13

Pulpit

Answer 13

A guardrail at the bow or stern of a boat to which (usually) the lifelines are connected.

Question 14

Sailing Dinghy

Answer 14

A small sailboat is usually under 20 feet long and open for most of its length. A dinghy has neither a keel nor a ballast. To resist sideways movement it has a centerboard or a daggerboard that can be lowered or raised as needed.

Question 15

Keelboat

Answer 15

A keelboat is generally larger than 20 feet and can be as large as a megayacht at 200 feet. Unlike a dinghy, a keelboat won’t capsize. In a strong wind, it may heel a long way over, but the ballast in its keel is designed to keep it from capsizing.

Question 16

LOA

Answer 16

Length overall

Question 17

Beam

Answer 17

Width of a boat at its widest point

Question 18

Freeboard

Answer 18

Height of hull above waterline

Question 19

Draft

Answer 19

Depth of boat below waterline

Question 20

LWL

Answer 20

Length on waterline

Question 21

Port

Answer 21

The left-hand side of the boat when you are facing forward

Question 22

Starboard

Answer 22

The right-hand side of the boat when you are facing forward

Question 23

Forward

Answer 23

Anything between you and the bow

Question 24

Aft

Answer 24

Anything between you and the stern

Question 25

Leeward

Answer 25

Away from the wind, the side of the boat away in the direction away from the wind.

Question 26

Windward

Answer 26

Toward the wind, the side of the boat upon which the wind is blowing.

Question 27

Abeam

Answer 27

Off the boat at right angles to it’s centerline

Question 28

Astern

Answer 28

Behind the stern

Question 29

Topsides

Answer 29

The sides of the hull, from the edge of the deck down to the water