Old Sea Dogs Nautical Jargon

Speed, Distance & Time

• Dead Reckoning – A method of estimating your position based on speed and course.
• Drift – The effect of current or wind pushing the vessel off its course.
• ETA – Estimated Time of Arrival.
• ETD – Estimated Time of Departure.
• Knot – One nautical mile per hour. Used instead of mph at sea.
• Log – A record of speed, distance, time, and voyage data.
• Nautical Mile – 1.1508 land miles or 1.852 kilometres. Based on the Earth’s circumference.

Directions & Positioning

• Abeam – Directly to the side of the boat (90 degrees).
• Aft – Toward the rear of the vessel.
• Astern – Behind the boat.
• Bow – The forward part of a boat.
• Fore – Toward the front of the vessel.
• Leeward (or Lee) – The side sheltered from the wind.
• Port – The left side when facing the bow (front).
• Starboard – The right side when facing the bow.
• Stern – The back end of the boat.
• Windward – The direction from which the wind is coming.

Parts of the Boat

• Boom – A horizontal spar attached to the bottom of the mainsail.
• Cockpit – The area where the helm and controls are located.
• Deck – The flat surface you stand on.
• Helm – The steering mechanism (wheel or tiller).
• Hull – The main body of the boat (below the deck).
• Keel – A fixed fin under the hull for balance and to prevent sideways drift.
• Mast – The vertical pole that supports the sails.
• Pulpit – A guardrail at the bow (front) of the boat.
• Pushpit – A guardrail at the stern (back) of the boat.
• Rudder – Used to steer the boat.

Sailing Terminology

• Beam Reach – Sailing with wind coming from the side.
• Close-Hauled – Sailing as directly into the wind as possible.
• Gybe (or Jibe) – Turning the stern through the wind.
• Heeling – The boat leaning to one side under wind pressure.
• Halyard – A rope used to hoist sails.
• Point of Sail – The boat’s direction relative to the wind.
• Reefing – Reducing sail area to manage wind power.
• Running – Sailing with wind from directly behind.
• Sheet – A rope that controls sail angle.
• Spinnaker – A large, balloon-like sail used for downwind sailing.
• Tack – Turning the bow through the wind; also the side the wind hits first.
• Trim – Adjusting sails for best performance.

Lines, Rigging & Gear

• Block – Pulleys used to redirect or gain mechanical advantage on lines.
• Boom Vang – Controls the boom’s vertical movement.
• Cleat – A T-shaped fitting to secure lines.
• Fender – A cushion placed between boat and dock.
• Line – General term for rope on a boat.
• Tiller – A lever used to steer (on smaller boats).
• Winch – A rotating drum used to pull in heavy lines.

Navigation & Communication

• AIS (Automatic Identification System) – Displays other vessels’ locations, names, and headings.
• Bearing – The compass direction to a landmark or object.
• Chart – A marine map with depths, hazards, and nav markers.
• Mayday – Distress call (life-threatening).
• Pan-Pan – Urgent but non-life-threatening situation.
• Radar – Detects objects around the boat using radio waves.
• Security – A safety message or navigation warning.
• VHF Radio – Primary short-range marine communication.
• Waypoint – A reference point used in GPS navigation.

Onboard Living & Miscellaneous

• Berth – A sleeping space or bed.
• Bilge – The lowest compartment inside the hull.
• Cabin – An enclosed living space.
• Galley – The boat’s kitchen.
• Head – The boat’s toilet.
• Holding Tank – A tank for waste until it can be pumped out.
• Scuppers – Drains on deck to let water flow out.
• Tender – A small boat used to go ashore from a larger boat.