Basic glossary – Pro Boat PRB2450S User Manual
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Beam Reach
Sailing at approximately 90 degrees to the
wind source with the wind coming from
abeam.
Beating
Sailing toward the wind source or against the
wind with the sails pulled in all the way,
tacking as you go, to reach a destination
upwind.
Boom
The horizontal spar to which the foot of a
sail is attached.
Bow
The forward end of a boat.
Cleat
A fitting to which the rigging line may
be secured.
Downwind
Sailing away from the wind with the
sails let out all the way.
Jib Sail
The smaller sail attached at the bow
of the boat.
Jib Stay
Device used to adjust the tension of the
rigging lines.
Knot
One nautical mile per hour (one knot equals
1.2 mph).
Main Sail
The largest working sail that is attached to
the mast.
Mast
Vertical spar to which the rigging and sails
are attached.
Port
The left side of the boat (when facing
forward).
Rudder
Vertical plate attached at the stern,
controlling the movements of the boat.
Starboard
The right side of the boat (when facing
forward).
Starboard Tack and Port Tack
The right side of the boat is called the
starboard side and the left side is called port.
When the boat sails with the wind coming
across the starboard side and the main sail is
on the port side, the boat is sailing on a
starboard tack. When the boat sails with the
wind coming across the port side of the boat
and the main sail on the starboard side, the
boat is sailing on a port tack.
Stern
The back end of a boat.
Tack
To turn the bow of a sailboat through the
wind so the sails fill to the opposite side.
Weather Helm
The natural tendency of a boat to turn
toward the wind.
Basic Glossary