How to Identify Parts of a Sailboat

Sailing instructors almost always begin their lessons by introducing beginning sailors to the parts of the sailboat. A sailboat looks to newcomers like a complicated tangle of wire and lines, but after a few minutes of introduction any new sailor can decipher the parts and functions of the boat.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

1. Identify the fixed parts of the boat such as the mast, which is the tall pole just forward of the half-way part of the boat, the rudder that's attached to the back of the boat. The steering mechanism is a tiller or wheel. Also identify the keel or centerboard, which is a large fin attached to the bottom of the sailboat that keeps the boat level and moving forward when sailing.

2. Learn the difference between the mainsail, which is a triangular shaped sail that is generally larger than other sails, and the foresail. Sailboats sometimes have jib foresails, which are considerably smaller than the main sail, or genoa foresails, which are 2/3 the size of the main. Each sail has a head, at the top of the sail and a tack, which is the right angle of the sail. There is also a clew, which is the outer corner of the sail.

3. Distinguish between the different lines and sheets, starting with the mainsheet. Untangle or uncoil the lines and follow them to their beginning. Lines that go to the jib or genoa or called jib sheets and control the shape of the foresail when sailing. Lines that climb up the mast are halyards, used to raise the sails. Lines attached to cleats on the boat are mooring lines used to tie up the sailboat at a dock or mooring.

4. Use the navigation and safety equipment to know where the compass sits and how it's used and where the life raft is (on larger boats) and the location of additional flotation devices. Also know the location of the boat's VHF radio, any radar that might be on board and the wind measurement instruments such as the arrow on top of the mast (wind vane) and tell-tales on the sails.