Sailboat Parts

Question 1

Hull

Answer 1

The watertight structural shell of a boat.

Question 2

Deck

Answer 2

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

Question 3

Transom

Answer 3

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

Question 4

Keel

Answer 4

The main structural member along the bottom of a boat’s hull; on a sailboat often an appended fin-shaped structure that contains a ballast.

Question 5

Ballast

Answer 5

Weight placed low in the boat to give stability.

Question 6

Mast

Answer 6

A fixed vertical spar that holds up a sail or sails.

Question 7

Boom

Answer 7

The spar that supports the foot of the mainsail.

Question 8

Gooseneck

Answer 8

An articulated fitting that connects a boom to a mast.

Question 9

Bow

Answer 9

The forward part of the boat.

Question 10

Stern

Answer 10

The aft part of a boat.

Question 11

Helm

Answer 11

The tiller or wheel with which the boat is steered.

Question 12

Tiller

Answer 12

A lever used to control the angle of the rudder and thereby steer the boat.

Question 13

Rudder

Answer 13

The movable appendage attached to a boat under the water and with which it can be steered.

Question 14

Standing Rigging

Answer 14

Rigging such as shrouds and stays that support spars and that remain in place when a boat is not sailing.

Question 15

Shroud

Answer 15

A wire that provides athwartships support to the mast.

Question 16

Spreader

Answer 16

An athwartships strut on a mast that holds a shroud away from the mast.

Question 17

Chainplate

Answer 17

Metal fabrication attached to the hull and to which a stay or shroud is connected.

Question 18

Headstay/Forestay

Answer 18

The stay between the top of the mast and the bow.

Question 19

Backstay

Answer 19

A wire support from the top of the mast to the stern.

Question 20

Stanchion

Answer 20

A metal post that supports lifelines.

Question 21

Lifeline

Answer 21

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

Question 22

Pulpit

Answer 22

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

Question 23

Winch

Answer 23

A device consisting of a gear-driven drum that is operated with a handle to provide mechanical advantage when hauling on a line; also used to snub a line.

Question 24

Cleat

Answer 24

A fitting used to secure line under load.

Question 25

Fender

Answer 25

A cushion, usually an inflated cylinder of rubber or similar material, placed between a boat and a dock.

Question 26

Docklines

Answer 26

Lines used to tie a boat in its dock.

Question 27

Block

Answer 27

A pulley.

Question 28

Fairlead

Answer 28

A fitting used to lead a line fair (smooth, unobstructed) and at the correct angle to a winch, cleat, or other fitting.

Question 29

Cockpit

Answer 29

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