Ground Tackle
A collective term for the anchor and its associated gear.
Lazarette
A storage space in a boat's stern area.
Squall
A sudden, violent wind often accompanied by rain.
Draft
The depth of water a boat draws.
Head
A marine toilet. Also the upper corner of a triangular sail.
Screw
A boat's propeller.
Galley
The kitchen area of a boat.
Hold
A compartment below deck in a large vessel, used solely for carrying cargo.
Scope
Technically, the ratio of length of anchor rode in use to the vertical distance from the bow of the vessel to the bottom of the water. Usually six to seven to one for calm weather and more scope in storm conditions.
Beam
The greatest width of the boat.
Capsize
To turn over.
Aft
Toward the stern of the boat.
Bow
The forward part of a boat.
Jetty
A structure, usually masonry, projecting out from the shore; a jetty may protect a harbor entrance.
Sole
Cabin or saloon floor. Timber extensions on the bottom of the rudder. Also the molded fiberglass deck of a cockpit.
Lubber's Line
A mark or permanent line on a compass indicating the direction forward parallel to the keel when properly installed.
Starboard
The right side of a boat when looking forward.
Mooring
An arrangement for securing a boat to a mooring buoy or a pier.
Port
The left side of a boat looking forward. A harbor.
Fender
A cushion, placed between boats, or between a boat and a pier, to prevent damage.
Jacobs Ladder
A rope ladder, lowered from the deck, as when pilots or passengers come aboard.
Tiller
A bar or handle for turning a boat's rudder or an outboard motor.
Bilge
The interior of the hull below the floor boards.
Fathom
Six feet.
Marlinspike
A tool for opening the strands of a rope while splicing.
Heading
The direction in which a vessel's bow points at any given time.
Keel
The centerline of a boat running fore and aft; the backbone of a vessel.
Dead Ahead
Directly ahead.
Stern
The after part of the boat.
Yaw
To swing or steer off course, as when running with a quartering sea.
Helm
The wheel or tiller controlling the rudder.
Gangway
The area of a ship's side where people board and disembark.
Hatch
An opening in a boat's deck fitted with a watertight cover.
Aweigh
The position of anchor as it is raised clear of the bottom.
Quarter
The sides of a boat aft of amidships.
Astern
In back of the boat, opposite of ahead.
Stow
To put an item in its proper place.
Hull
The main body of a vessel.
Gunwale
The upper edge of a boat's sides.
Rudder
A vertical plate or board for steering a boat.
Deck
A permanent covering over a compartment, hull or any part thereof.
Fluke
The palm of an anchor.
Displacement
The weight of water displaced by a floating vessel, thus, a boat's weight.