- Abeam: At a right angle to a boat's length.
- Anchor lines: Lines that attach an anchor to a boat.
- Anemometer: An electronic wind gauge.
- Astern: Behind a boat, or in reverse.
- Bilge pump: Hydraulic pump for removing water from the lowest part of the boat.
- Boom vang: A device that prevents the boom from rising or lowering.
- Bosun's chair: Seat used for going aloft.
- Bow: The front section of the boat
- Foredeck: The front section of the boat's deck
- Harden up: To turn toward the wind or sail closer to the wind.
- Halyard: The line or wire for hoisting a sail.
- Heave-to: To stop a sailing vessel by lashing the helm in opposition to the sails.
- Helm: The wheel and/or wheelhouse area used to steer the boat.
- Spreaders: Metal struts on the mast that hold the shrouds out from the mast.
- Jib: A triangular foresail.
- Jibe: To change tacks by steering away from the wind, the stern of the vessel turning through the wind
- Jib sheet: A line attached to the jib to control it.
- Lee: The side of the boat sheltered from the wind.
- Lifeline (gate): An opening in the lines allowing for boarding the boat, also called gangway.
- Luffing: The lead edge of a jib or mainsail. Also, to head into the wind, causing sails to flap and flutter.
- Mainsail: The sail attached to and behind the mainmast.
- Mast: A vertical pole supporting sails or rigging.
- Midship line: The middle section of a boat.
- Port: The left side of the boat (when facing forward).
- Slip: A berth for a boat; a place for a boat to moor.
- Spinnaker: A lightweight sail used downwind that often balloons in front of the boat.
- Starboard: The right side of the boat (when facing forward).
- Stern: The rear section of a boat.
- Tack: The bottom front corner of a sail.
- Tacking: A maneuver changing directions starboard and port by bringing the bow through the wind.
- Thwart: A bench seat across the width of an open boat.
- Topping lift: A line that supports the boom when the sail is not set.
- Vee-birth: A cabin in the far forward section of the hull.
- Windward: In the direction that the wind is coming from.
Sources: Sailing.about.com, Wikipedia, schoolofsailing.net, seatalk.info.
