Sailing Terms
Port - The left side when facing the bow. Starboard - The right side when facing the bow. Windward - The direction from which the wind is coming. Leeward - The direction in which the wind is going. Amidships - the mid point of the boat between bow and stern, or from side to side. Abeam - A direction to either side of the boat at right angles to line from bow to stern. Ahead - in front of the boat. Tacking - Turning from one tack to the other, when the bow passes through the wind. Also know as Coming about. Port tack - when a boat is sailing with the mainsail on the starboard side. Starboard tack - when a boat is sailing with the mainsail on the port side. Gybing - Going from one tack to the other with the stern passing through the wind. Underway - when the boat is not moored, anchored or aground. It is floating free from the earth. Leeway - the motion of the boat to leeward. No way - when the boat is not moving. In irons - when the boat bow into the wind without control and starts to m...