There is so much to love, and learn, about boating. Learn all about getting on the water with a sailboat in our Sailing page.

Or jump right in to explore the right sailboat for you: Explore sailboats.

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TransomA boat"s afterpart that is square to its centerline" href="#transom" coords="9,602,52,620" shape="rect" />TillerA wooden or metal " used="" to="" turn="" the="" href="#tiller" coords="27,515,51,535" shape="rect" />TillerA wooden or metal " used="" to="" turn="" the="" href="#tiller" coords="5,480,76,502" shape="rect" />BoomA horizontal pole that attaches to the mast and is used to extend the foot of the mainsail" href="#boom" coords="50,401,84,417" shape="rect" />Shrouds and staysWires that hold the mast upright (the front one is the forestay)" href="#shrouds" coords="42,317,88,338" shape="rect" />CleatA fastening around or in which lines can be secured" href="#cleat" coords="133,650,166,666" shape="rect" />KeelA boat"s fixed underwater part used to prevent sideways drift and provide stability" href="#keel" coords="298,653,334,674" shape="rect" />WinchA metal drum-shaped object around which lines are wrapped to make trimming them easier" href="#winch" coords="364,585,403,604" shape="rect" />BlockThe nautical term for a pulley" href="#block" coords="385,514,421,536" shape="rect" />Shrouds and staysWires that hold the mast upright (the front one is the forestay)" href="#shrouds" coords="390,305,430,325" shape="rect" />SpreaderStruts attached to the mast to increase the holding power of the shrouds" href="#spreader" coords="386,226,428,245" shape="rect" />MastA pole placed vertically on a boat used to support sails" href="#mast" coords="372,108,403,123" shape="rect" />SternA boat"s afterpart" href="#stern" coords="110,578,142,596" shape="rect" />

Block The nautical term for a pulley

 

Boom A horizontal pole that attaches to the mast and is used to extend the foot of the mainsail

 

BowThe forward part of a boat

 

Centerboard A pivoting plate used to balance a boat and lessen leeway

 

Cleat A fastening around or in which lines can be secured

 

Hull The primary structural body of a vessel, not including superstructure, masts or rigging

 

Keel A boat"s fixed underwater part used to prevent sideways drift and provide stability

 

Line Any piece of rope on a boat

 

Mast A pole placed vertically on a boat used to support sails

 

Painter A line attached to a small boat"s bow used to tie it to a dock or another boat

 

Rudder A boat"s movable underwater steering board

 

Shackle A metal fitting commonly used to connect sails and halyards

 

Shrouds and staysWires that hold the mast upright (the front one is the forestay)

 

Spreader Struts attached to the mast to increase the holding power of the shrouds

 

Stern A boat"s afterpart

 

Tiller A wooden or metal "stick" used to turn the rudder

 

Transom A boat"s afterpart that is square to its centerline

 

Wheel A steering apparatus

 

Winch A metal drum-shaped object around which lines are wrapped to make trimming them easier