There’s something inherently glamorous about a sailing trip. Maybe it’s the luxurious sense of being on board a beautiful ship while courting the excitement of being out in the bracing fresh air, at one with the elements. However, you must stay safe at all times – and this is particularly true if you’re a beginner or relatively new to sailing tours San Diego. When on a boat, everyone has a role to play to make sure that everything stays running ship-shape; there’s a lot of terminology and sailing lingo that, if you don’t know what the term means, can leave you a little lost at sea (quite literally). Cram up on these common sailing terms and you’ll be a sea hand before you know it.
Port and Starboard
If ever you’re aboard a private boat San Diego and you’re called upon to help direct the crew, turn and face the bow (the front) of the ship. The left-hand side of the bow is port, and the right-hand side of the bow is starboard. Never use left or right because, in the open sea, these directions can become confusing.
Leeward and Windward
Windward is always the direction in which the wind is blowing; leeward is the opposite direction. Wind direction terms are essential terms to know as so often sailors will use wind direction to navigate, it being a near-permanent reference available.
Aft and Bow
The aft is the back of the boat, although you may sometimes hear it referred to as the stern. The bow is the front of the ship, and this is a particularly important term to learn as you will use it to identify the directions port and starboard.
Tacking and Jibing
Both these terms refer to maneuvering the boat through the wind so that the wind moves from one side of the ship to the other – they differ because of the direction the boat moves to get there. Tacking is when you turn the bow of the boat through the wind; jibing is when you turn the aft.
Helm and Rudder
The helm is what you use to change direction. On large ships, you’ll see the more familiar steering wheel while on smaller boards there tends to be a lever that moves the rudder from side to side. The rudder is what actually steers the boat – it’s a flat piece of metal, wood or fiberglass under water that uses water resistance to turn.
Boom
Another piece of equipment, the boom is a pole that extends from the bottom of the mast and turns the mainsail. The boom harnesses the wind to propel the boat forward. You move the boom towards the wind to go faster and away from it to slow down.
Lines
If you really want to sound like you know what you’re talking about, never refer to ropes as “ropes.” Those in the know call them lines.
If you find being out on the open waves an exhilarating experience, explore more ways you can adventure on the high seas. Find a reputable sailing company and plan some excursions – you never know, you may even see the breathtaking beauty of whales passing by while enjoying San Diego whale watching tours.