Below is a list of some useful nautical terms.

 

ABOARD - On or within the boat.

 

ADRIFT - Loose, not on moorings or towline.

 

AFT - Towards the stern of the boat.

 

AHEAD - In a forward direction.

 

ASTERN - In back of the boat, opposite of ahead.

 

BATTEN DOWN - Secure hatches and loose objects both within the hull and on deck.

 

BOW - The forward part of a boat.

 

BOWLINE - A knot used to form a temporary loop in the end of a line.

 

BRIDGE - The location from which a vessel is steered and its speed controlled. 

 

FIGURE OF EIGHT - 

 

BULKHEAD - A vertical partition separating compartments.

 

BUOY - An anchored float used for marking a position on the water or a hazard and for mooring.

 

CABIN - A compartment for passengers or crew.

 

CAPSIZE - To turn over.

 

CAST OFF - To let go.

 

CATAMARAN - A twin-hulled boat, with hulls side by side.

 

CHART - A map for use by navigators.

 

CLEAT - A fitting to which lines are secured. 

 

COURSE - The direction in which a boat is steered.

 

CURRENT - The horizontal movement of water.

 

DEAD AHEAD - Directly ahead.

 

DEAD ASTERN - Directly aft.

 

DINGHY - A small open boat.

 

FENDER - A cushion, placed between boats, or between a boat and a pier, to prevent damage.

 

FLARE - A distress signal.

 

FLOOD - A incoming current.

 

FORWARD - Toward the bow of the boat.

 

GUNWALE - Upper edge of a boat's sides.

 

HATCH - An opening in a boat's deck fitted with a watertight cover.

 

HEAD - A toilet on a vessel. 

 

HEADING - The direction in which a vessel's bow points at any given time.

 

HULL - The main body of a vessel.

 

KEEL - The centerline of a boat running fore and aft.

 

KNOT - A measure of speed equal to one nautical mile (1,852m) per hour.

 

LATITUDE - The distance north or south of the equator measured and expressed in degrees.

 

LINE - Rope used aboard a vessel.

 

LONGITUDE - The distance in degrees east or west of the meridian at Greenwich, England.

 

MARLINSPIKE - A tool for opening the strands of a rope while splicing.

 

NAUTICAL MILE - One minute of latitude; approximately 1,852m - about 1/8 longer than the statute mile of 1,600m.

 

OVERBOARD - Over the side or out of the boat.

 

PLANING - A boat is said to be planing when it is essentially moving over the top of the water rather than through the water.

 

PORT - The left-hand-side of a boat.

 

RUDDER - A vertical plate or board for steering a boat.

 

SQUALL - A sudden, violent wind often accompanied by rain.

 

STARBOARD - The right-hand-side of a boat when looking forward.

 

STERN - The rear part of the boat.

 

TIDE - The periodic rise and fall of water level of a body of water due to the gravitational pull of the moon.

 

TILLER - A bar or handle for turning a boat's rudder or an outboard motor.

 

TRANSOM - The stern cross-section of a square sterned boat.

 

TRIM - Fore and aft balance of a boat.

 

UNDERWAY - When a vessel is in motion i.e. not moored.

 

WAKE - Moving waves, track or path that a boat leaves behind it, when moving across water.

 

WINDWARD - Toward the direction from which the wind is coming.