Day Skipper training module 1 of 17
General nautical terminology and parts of a boat and hull.
You are preparing a real trip where your understanding of general nautical terminology shapes the decision. Use this module to explain the cue, the risk, and the next safe action before you move on.
8 lesson sections · 15 quiz questions · 15 flashcards
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Lesson 1 of 8
Active recall
Section 1 of 8
The front of a boat is the bow. The back of a boat is the stern. Anything towards the bow is described as forward or fore; anything towards the stern is aft. The midpoint of the vessel is amidships.
These terms are used constantly in Day Skipper theory, marina instructions, pilotage notes, and safety briefings. For example, a crew member asked to move forward should go towards the bow, while equipment stowed aft is towards the stern.
The bow typically has a pointed shape to cut through waves. On a yacht the deck area at the front is the foredeck. The stern may include the cockpit, bathing platform, boarding ladder, pushpit, or dinghy davits depending on the boat.
Port and starboard describe left and right. Fore and aft describe front and back.
| Term | Meaning | Common use |
|---|---|---|
| TermBow | MeaningFront of the boat | Common useThe bow points towards the vessel's heading |
| TermStern | MeaningBack of the boat | Common useThe cockpit and boarding platform are often near the stern |
| TermForward / Fore | MeaningTowards the bow | Common useMove forward, foredeck, forestay |
| TermAft | MeaningTowards the stern | Common useAft cabin, aft locker, move aft |
| TermAmidships | MeaningMiddle of the vessel | Common useOften used for balance, stowage, or deck position |
The front of a boat is called the bow. Moving towards the bow is described as moving forward or fore.
The back of a boat is called the stern. Anything towards the stern is described as aft.
Fore means towards the front of a boat, or towards the bow. The bow is the actual front end of the vessel.
Aft means towards the back of the boat. The stern is the actual back end of the vessel.
Fore means towards the front or bow of the boat. Aft means towards the back or stern of the boat.
Lesson 2 of 8
Active recall
Section 2 of 8
When facing forward, the left side of the boat is port and the right side is starboard. Navigation sidelights are red to port and green to starboard. Lateral buoy colours are jurisdiction-specific: the UK uses IALA Region A, where port-hand marks are red and starboard-hand marks are green in the direction of buoyage; Region B reverses those lateral colours.
A useful mnemonic: 'port' and 'left' both have four letters. Another: 'Is there any RED PORT LEFT in the bottle?'
Remember: 'port' and 'left' both have four letters.
Lesson 3 of 8
Active recall
Section 3 of 8
The hull is the body of the boat. The waterline is where the hull meets the water surface. The draught is the depth of the hull below the waterline — critical for knowing what depth of water you need.
The keel is the structural backbone running along the bottom of the hull. On sailing yachts, the keel extends downward to provide stability and resist sideways drift (leeway). The rudder, mounted at the stern, steers the boat and is controlled by a tiller or wheel.
Lesson 4 of 8
Active recall
Section 4 of 8
The cockpit is the recessed area in the deck where the crew sit and the helm (tiller or wheel) is located. The companionway is the entrance/stairway leading below deck. Guardrails (or lifelines) run around the deck edge for safety, supported by stanchions.
Cleats are fittings used to secure ropes. A winch is a mechanical device for hauling ropes under load — essential for controlling sheets. A fairlead guides a rope in the desired direction. The pushpit is the guardrail frame at the stern, and the pulpit is the same at the bow.
Lesson 5 of 8
Active recall
Section 5 of 8
The saloon is the main living area below deck. The galley is the kitchen. The heads is the toilet/bathroom. Berths are the sleeping areas — they may be in the forecabin (forward cabin), quarter berths (aft), or in the saloon itself.
The chart table is the navigation station where charts are plotted. Many modern yachts have electronic chart plotters here alongside traditional paper charts.
Lesson 6 of 8
Active recall
Section 6 of 8
Standing rigging is the fixed wires that hold up the mast — shrouds run from the mast to the sides of the hull, the forestay runs forward, and the backstay runs aft. These are tensioned and rarely adjusted while sailing.
Running rigging is the ropes you actively use to control sails. A halyard hoists a sail up. A sheet controls the angle of a sail to the wind. The mainsheet controls the mainsail, the jib sheets control the headsail. The boom is the horizontal pole along the foot of the mainsail, controlled by the mainsheet and kicking strap (or vang).
Lesson 7 of 8
Active recall
Section 7 of 8
Windward means towards the wind; leeward (pronounced 'loo-ard') means away from the wind. Ahead means in front of the vessel, astern means behind. Abeam means at right angles to the centreline.
A vessel's heading is the direction the bow points. Her course is the intended direction of travel. The track is the actual path over the ground (which may differ from the course due to tide and leeway). A bearing is the direction of an object measured from the vessel.
Lesson 8 of 8
Active recall
Section 8 of 8
To make fast means to secure a rope. To cast off means to release the mooring lines and depart. Fenders are inflatable cushions hung over the side to protect the hull when alongside a pontoon or another vessel.
To tack is to turn the bow through the wind when sailing upwind. To gybe (or jibe) is to turn the stern through the wind when sailing downwind — this requires care as the boom can swing across violently.