Parts of a Sailboat
There is so much to love, and learn, about boating. Learn all about getting on the water with a sailboat in our Sailing page.
Or jump right in to explore the right sailboat for you: Explore sailboats.
Block
The nautical term for a pulley
Boom
A horizontal pole that attaches to the mast and is used to extend the foot of the mainsail
Bow
The forward part of a boat
Centerboard
A pivoting plate used to balance a boat and lessen leeway
Cleat
A fastening around or in which lines can be secured
Hull
The primary structural body of a vessel, not including superstructure, masts or rigging
Keel
A boat's fixed underwater part used to prevent sideways drift and provide stability
Line
Any piece of rope on a boat
Mast
A pole placed vertically on a boat used to support sails
Painter
A line attached to a small boat's bow used to tie it to a dock or another boat
Rudder
A boat's movable underwater steering board
Shackle
A metal fitting commonly used to connect sails and halyards
Shrouds and stays
Wires that hold the mast upright (the front one is the forestay)
Spreader
Struts attached to the mast to increase the holding power of the shrouds
Tiller
A wooden or metal "stick" used to turn the rudder
Transom
A boat's afterpart that is square to its centerline
Winch
A metal drum-shaped object around which lines are wrapped to make trimming them easier
