| Starting any new activity can seem like a challenge, | | | | Basically the keel helps keep a sailboat upright. When |
| especially when you aren't familiar with the basic | | | | the wind catches the sails, it wants to drive to sailboat |
| terminology. When you're listening to a salesman or | | | | over on its side. The keel fights this force. Smaller |
| instructor go on about this thing or the other, and you | | | | boats will have a centerboard that can be removed, |
| don't have a clue what they're talking about, you can | | | | instead of a keel. |
| begin to feel a little overwhelmed and actually become | | | | Other parts of a sailboat that are important to know |
| frustrated. Sailing and sailboats have a lot of unique | | | | are: Mast (the main beam on a sailboat that supports |
| terms associated with them and by simply learning the | | | | the sails), Boom (the beam that extends horizontally |
| basics, you take the first steps into a larger world. | | | | from the mainsail's foot), Standing rigging (wire ropes |
| Even people who have been sailing for some time are | | | | that support the mast -you will notice these remain in |
| often unfamiliar with the appropriate terms. When this | | | | place whether the sail is up or not), Running rigging (the |
| is the case, then when the time comes to move up to | | | | ropes and other lines that are used to raise and lower |
| the next level, it can be even more challenging, and | | | | the sails, as well as to control the sails). |
| more frustrating. Which direction is port or starboard? | | | | Sailing requires a balance between the wind that is |
| Where is the transom? Which sail is considered the | | | | blowing, the direction it is coming from, and the force it |
| jib? These are basic sailing terms and while they won't | | | | exerts on the sail. Any sailboat can travel either faster |
| prevent a person from becoming an accomplished | | | | or slower simply by tightening or loosening the running |
| sailor, they certainly will make life easier during the | | | | rigging, or using different kinds of sails. For example, if a |
| process. | | | | ten mile per hour wind is driving a sailboat at five knots, |
| Some of the first things to understand about sailboats | | | | using a job rather than a short sheet headsail may |
| are the different parts to them. Powered boats have | | | | provide an extra knot or two to the speed. |
| many of the same parts, such as the hull (the main | | | | A job is a triangular shaped headsail that is designed to |
| body of the boat), a bow (the front of the ship), rigging | | | | catch the maximum force of wind that is coming from |
| (equipment used for sailing), rudder (for steering), and | | | | directly aft (or from behind the boat). |
| deck (the main area of the boat). Sailboats will have | | | | Understanding the basics of sailboats will help the |
| other features, important features, that powered boats | | | | experience be more enjoyable and fascinating. These |
| don't have, including the centerboard, or keel (a | | | | are just a few of the terms and basics. There's an |
| structure that extends from the hull deeper into the | | | | entire world awaiting discovery if you care to learn. |
| water that limits lateral movement in the water and | | | | What if I want to buy my own Sailboat? |
| improves stability). | | | | |