Sailing Terms and What They Mean

Sailing is one of the most fun and best experiences you can have out on the open water. Yet when it comes to sailing, there is much to know, and one thing that can give you comfort in your sailing abilities is knowing all of the terms associated with the sport. Learn some of the most commonly used terms that can help you understand what happens during your future sailing adventures.

Port and starboard

You have probably heard the terms port and starboard used in movies or on television and always wondered what they meant. Port is toward the left side of the ship when facing forward and is indicated by a red light at night. Starboard is toward the right of the ship when facing forward and is indicated by a green light at night.

Point of sail

When sailing, going with the wind is key to efficient navigation. Point of sail refers to the different angles a boat may sail, depending on the wind. So it is the boat's course relative to the direction of the wind.

Apparent wind

When sailing the open seas you may experience the wind differently than what you might expect. Apparent wind is a term used to signify how the crew feels about the direction and speed of the wind. The apparent wind is a combination of regular wind and the wind the boat creates with its own motion.

Sailing has gone on for centuries; the number of terms used in and associated with sailing is massive. If you wish to learn about sailing and all the terms associated with the sport, go out and sail yourself. There is no better way to learn than to experience the open seas, with a guide of course.