Terms Used by Sailors

Schooner- a sailboat that has more than one mast with the forward mast being shorter or equal to the aft (back) mast. "WOODWIND" is a schooner.
Bow- the front of the boat.
Stern- the back of the boat.
Starboard- right side of the boat as you are looking toward the bow of the boat.
Port- left side of the boat as you are looking toward the bow of the boat.
Tacking- when the bow of the boat goes through the eye of the wind and your sails fill on the other side. (This is where the booms come over your head and you may need to "duck".)
Gybing- when the stern of the boat goes through the eye of the wind and the sails fill on the other side. (This is also where the booms come over your head, but faster, and you may need to "duck" quicker.)
Beam- the widest point of the boat (usually the middle).
Draft- how deep the boat goes down into the water.
Galley- kitchen
Stateroom- bedroom
Head- bathroom
Helm- steering or driving the boat. So listen for: "Does anyone want to take a turn at the helm?" That means, come on back and sail the boat with our big steering wheel on your own!

(More terms will be added to this site periodically)