Ahoy, mateys! Are you going to take a private boat tour San Diego soon and want to brush up on your boat lingo? It’s not a bad idea to know some of the common terms before you go, both to keep you safe when on board and also to help you know what’s going on during your voyage. Here are some of the words you should know before you set sail.
Let’s start with some of the basics:
- Bow – the front end of the boat
- Stern – the rear end of the ship, also known as aft
- Port – the left side of the boat
- Starboard – the right side of the ship
- Ahead – moving in a forward direction
- Astern – going in reverse
At the very least, knowing these essential terms can help you work around a boat or tell you what direction to look for animals when you go on one of the amazing San Diego whale watching tours.
Beyond the Basics
If you are more of a participant and less of a bystander on a boating excursion, you may want to learn a bit more detailed boating jargon. These terms can come in handy during San Diego sailing tours:
- Windward – the direction in which the wind is blowing
- Leeward – the opposite direction from windward
- Point of sail – the direction of the boat in relation to the wind’s direction
- Mainsail – the largest of the sails that is attached to the mast
- Boom – the pole that extends horizontally from the mast below the mainsail and can move as the boat changes direction
- Tacking – a sailing maneuver where you turn the bow of the boat through the wind to get the wind on the other side of the boat
- Jibing – the opposite of tacking, where you turn the stern of the boat to get the wind on the other side of the boat
- Rudder – a flat piece of material, either fiberglass, wood, or metal that is used to steer small boats
- Keel – on the bottom of the boat, the long fin that runs the length, used on modern sailboats to prevent capsizing
- Helm – on larger boats or those without a handheld rudder, the helm is where the steering wheel is located
These terms are helpful when to know when you take orders from your sailing captain. It can be thrilling when you are out on open waters, changing direction and taking advantage of the wind, but if you don’t know what the captain is telling you to do, it can be like a foreign language you don’t understand.
Getting Comfortable
Most of these terms are about the parts of the boat or its movement and position. What about you, the passenger? Here are a few more words you’ll want to know
- Topside – going from below deck to an upper deck
- Galley – the kitchen on a boat, found below deck
- Head – perhaps the most important thing to know, this refers to the bathroom on board
Before you know it, you’ll sound like a seasoned sailor when you go out to sea. When you are on a boating tour and the captain uses an expression you’ve not heard, just speak up and ask about it. The more you know, the more comfortable you can be.
