Category: gybing

Port – The left side when facing the bow.
Starboard – The right side when facing the bow.
Windward – The direction from which the wind is coming.
Leeward – The direction in which the wind is going.
Amidships – the mid point of the boat between bow and stern, or from side to side.
Abeam – A direction to either side of the boat at right angles to line from bow to stern.
Ahead – in front of the boat.
Tacking – Turning from one tack to the other, when the bow passes through the wind. Also know as Coming about.
Port tack – when a boat is sailing with the mainsail on the starboard side.
Starboard tack – when a boat is sailing with the mainsail on the port side.
Gybing – Going from one tack to the other with the stern passing through the wind.
Underway – when the boat is not moored, anchored or aground. It is floating free from the earth.
Leeway – the motion of the boat to leeward.
No way – when the boat is not moving.
In irons – when the boat bow into the wind without control and starts to move backwards.
Upwind – In the direction from which the wind is coming.
Downwind – In the direction the wind is going.
Luffing – when the forward part (the luff) of a sail is fluttering.
Heading up – turning towards the wind.
Bearing away – turning away from the wind.
Sailing by the lee – sailing with the wind and the boom on the same side while sailing downwind.
Heeling – The leaning of the boat due to the wind pressure on the sails.
Astern – behind the boat.

Small Boat Sailing Instruction