| Any new activity can seem like a challenge when | | | | (the main beam on a sailboat that supports the |
| you aren't familiar with the basic terminology. | | | | sails), Boom(the beam that extends horizontally |
| Sailing and sailboats have lots of unique terms | | | | from the mainsail's foot), Standing rigging (wire |
| associated with them and by learning the basics, | | | | ropes that support the mast), Running rigging (the |
| you take the first steps into a larger world. | | | | ropes and other lines that are used to raise and |
| First things to understand about sailboats are the | | | | lower the sails, and control the sails). |
| different parts to them. Powered boats have | | | | Sailboats can travel faster or slower by tightening |
| many of the same parts, such as the hull (main | | | | or loosening the running rigging, or using different |
| body), the bow and stern(front and back), rudder | | | | sails. So a ten knot wind driving a sailboat at five |
| (for steering), and the deck. | | | | knots, by using a job (a triangular shaped headsail |
| Sailboats have other important features, including | | | | designed to catch the maximum force of wind) |
| the keel (a structure extending from the hull into | | | | rather than a short sheet headsail may add an |
| the water to limit lateral movement and improve | | | | extra knot to the speed. |
| stability). The keel keeps a sailboat upright when | | | | Understanding the basics of sailboats will help the |
| the wind wants to drive the sailboat onto its side. | | | | experience be more enjoyable. These are just a |
| Smaller boats have a centerboard that can be | | | | few of the terms but there's an entire world to |
| removed, instead of a keel. Other parts are: Mast | | | | discover. |