How to Know the Parts of a Sailboat

Sailing is even more fun when you are the one in control. However, you can't do so until you know the sailboat and have acquired the skills of sailing. Knowing the names for the various parts of the sailboat and its equipment is the first step.

Instructions

    • 1

      Face the bow of the boat. The bow is the fore part of the boat. The foresail connects to the front of the prow. The prow is the part that extends from the bow. The jib is a smaller sail mounted to the bow of the boat. The head of the jib sail connects to the jib halyard and is tied into the prow until it is needed.

    • 2

      Move back to the cockpit. This is the area where the crew sits and the captain has access to the tiller or wheel. The sheets all come back to this location for easier single hand operation. The jib halyard and main halyard are located here.

    • 3

      Look upwards and you will see the top of the mast. The main halyard hauls the head of the main sail to the top of the mast. All the sheets run back to the cockpit. The sheets control the tension on the jib and main sails. The sheets run down each side of the boat. The right side of the boat is starboard, while the left side is port.

    • 4

      Turn and look off the back of the boat. You are looking aft. The rudder guides the sailboat and keeps it on course from the rear of the boat. It steers the boat towards starboard or port by the tiller or wheel.

    • 5

      Examine the center of the boat. Directly under the boat is the keel or centerboard. The keel is the center of the weight to keep the sailboat from turning over and keeping it traveling forward rather than sliding in any direction over the surface of the water.