As a new boat owner you are faced with learning a number
of new Boating Terms. For some people it is like learning a new language.
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 is 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.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Bruce Stott, co-founder of Gulf Islands Cruising School Ltd. has been a Canadian
Yachting Association, now Sail Canada, certified instructor since 1971. He has taught aboard both
sail and power boats ranging in size from 8' to 86' and is the author of Home Study Coastal Navigation
Course
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