| Abeam | at a right angle to the length of the boat |
| Backstay | a stay used to support the mast. It runs from the top of the mast to the stern of the boat and prevents the mast from falling forwards |
| Beam | the widest part of the boat |
| Beat | heading in a direction into the wind |
| Boom | secures the bottom of the mainsail |
| Bow | the front of the boat |
| Buoy | a floating device used to mark a turning point on a racecourse |
| Clew | the lower aft corner of the sail |
| Current | the movement of water in relation to the ground |
| Foot | the bottom edge of a sail |
| Foredeck | the deck area in front of the mast |
| Forestay | a stay supporting the mast from fall back. Runs from the bow to the top of the mast |
| Genoa | the forward sail, which overlaps the mast |
| Gype | to change direction such that the stern of the boat passes through the eye of the wind and the boom changes sides |
| Halyard | a line used to hoist the sails |
| Helm | the wheel used to steer the boat |
| Helmsperson | person who steers the boat |
| Jib | same as Genoa |
| Lay Line | an imaginary line indicating the optimal bearing to a mark |
| Lee Helm | the tendency for a boat to steer away from the wind |
| Leech | the aft edge of a sail |
| Leeward | the direction away from the wind |
| Luffing | luffing occurs when the airflow stalls when travelling across the sail |
| Mainsail | the main power source for a sailboat |
| Mark | see Buoy |
| Mast | the center pole used to support the sails |
| Outhaul | a line used to tension the foot of a mainsail |
| Port | The left side of the boat. It is designated by the color red |
| Port Tack | sailing upwind where the wind is coming over the left-hand side of the boat |
| Regatta | a collection of boat races |
| Spinnaker | large lightweight sail used when going down wind |
| Spinnaker Pole | a pole used to extend the spinnaker away from the boat |
| Starboard | the right side of the boat. It is designated by the color green |
| Starboard Tack | sailing upwind where the wind is coming over the right hand side of the boat |
| Tack | 1) the lower forward corner of the sail
2) To change direction of the boat while travelling upwind |
| Vang | a device used to hold down the boom |
| Velocity made Good (VMG) | actual boat speed in relation to a specific direction |
| Weather helm | the tendency for a boat to steer itself into the wind |
| Winch | a device used to help adjust lines under load |
