Sailing Terms

Question 1

Port

Answer 1

1) A harbor 2) The left-hand side of a boat when facing forward.

Question 2

Starboard

Answer 2

The right-hand side of a boart when looking forward.

Question 3

Forward

Answer 3

Toward the bow.

Question 4

Aft

Answer 4

Toward the stern or behind the boat.

Question 5

Beam

Answer 5

1) The width of a boat at its widest point 2) The region of the boat’s sides halfway between bow and stern.

Question 6

Heel

Answer 6

To lean sideways under the pressure of the wind on the sails.

Question 7

Draft

Answer 7

1) The depth of a boat below the water 2) The curvature of a sail.

Question 8

Freeboard

Answer 8

The height of the hull above the waterline.

Question 9

Skipper

Answer 9

The captain of the boat.

Question 10

Helmsman

Answer 10

The person at the helm steering the boat.

Question 11

Crew

Answer 11

The people aboard the boat preforming duties to sail the boat.

Question 12

Weather Helm

Answer 12

The tendency of a boat when sailing to head up into the wind.

Question 13

Ahead

Answer 13

In front of the boat.

Question 14

Astern

Answer 14

Behind the stern.

Question 15

Abeam

Answer 15

Off the boat at right angles to its centerline.

Question 16

Windward

Answer 16

Toward the wind.

Question 17

Leeward

Answer 17

The direction, or side of the boat away from the wind.