Question 1

What are the parts of a sailboat?

Accepted Answer

The big ones: the hull (the body of the boat), the mast (the tall pole), the boom (the horizontal pole at the bottom of the mainsail), the mainsail behind the mast, the jib in front of it, the keel underneath (keeps you upright and stops you sliding sideways) and the rudder (steers). The front is the bow and the back is the stern.

Question 2

Which side is port and which is starboard?

Accepted Answer

Facing the bow, port is the left side and starboard is the right. Port and left both have four letters. At night port shows a red light and starboard a green one.

Question 3

What are the bow and stern?

Accepted Answer

The bow is the front of the boat and the stern is the back. Toward the bow is "forward" and toward the stern is "aft".

Question 4

What are sheets and halyards?

Accepted Answer

On a boat, ropes are called lines. Sheets pull the sails in and let them out (you "trim" and "ease" them). Halyards pull the sails up the mast. Each sail has its own sheet and halyard.

Question 5

What does the keel or centerboard do?

Accepted Answer

The keel is the heavy fin under the boat. It stops the wind from pushing you sideways and its weight keeps the boat upright. Small dinghies use a centerboard instead, which you can pull up in shallow water. Keelboats are very hard to tip over.

Question 6

How do I steer with a tiller?

Accepted Answer

A tiller works backwards from what you expect: push it to the left and the bow turns right. Small, smooth movements are best. A boat with a wheel steers like a car: turn the wheel the way you want the bow to go.

Question 7

What are the corners of a sail called?

Accepted Answer

The top corner is the head, the front bottom corner is the tack and the back bottom corner is the clew. The front edge is the luff, the back edge is the leech and the bottom edge is the foot.

Question 8

What are the shrouds and forestay?

Accepted Answer

They are the wires that hold the mast up. The forestay runs from the top of the mast to the bow, the backstay to the stern, and the shrouds to each side of the boat. Together they are called standing rigging.

Question 9

How do I tell where the wind is coming from?

Accepted Answer

Feel it on your face and ears: turn until it feels even on both cheeks and you are facing it. Then check flags, smoke and the wind arrow at the top of the mast, and look for dark ripples moving across the water. Wind is named for where it comes from, so a north wind blows from the north.

Question 10

What do windward and leeward mean?

Accepted Answer

Windward is the side the wind is coming from (upwind). Leeward, said "LOO-ward", is the side it blows toward (downwind). The windward side of the boat is usually the high side when you heel.

Question 11

What are puffs and lulls?

Accepted Answer

A puff is a burst of stronger wind, and you can see it coming as a dark, rippled patch on the water. A lull is a gap with less wind. When a puff hits, ease the mainsheet a little or head up slightly to keep the boat flat.

Question 12

What is apparent wind?

Accepted Answer

Apparent wind is the wind you feel on the moving boat: the real (true) wind combined with the breeze made by your own speed. As you speed up, the apparent wind moves forward and feels stronger, which is why you trim sails to what you feel, not to the flag on shore.

Question 13

How do I use telltales?

Accepted Answer

Telltales are short ribbons on the sail. When both sides stream straight back, the sail is set right. If one flutters, push the tiller toward the fluttering telltale, or trim the sail: pull it in if the windward one flutters, let it out if the leeward one droops.

Question 14

How do I trim the sails?

Accepted Answer

Let the sail out until the front edge starts to flutter (luff), then pull it in just until the flutter stops. That is the right setting for where you are pointing. Every time you turn, check again. A good rule is: when in doubt, let it out.

Question 15

What are the points of sail?

Accepted Answer

They are names for your angle to the wind. Close-hauled (about 45 degrees off, sails in tight), close reach, beam reach (wind across the side, sails halfway out), broad reach (wind from behind at an angle) and running (wind straight behind, sails all the way out). Inside about 45 degrees of the wind is the no-go zone. The dial in lesson 3 lets you try it.

Question 16

Why can't a sailboat sail straight into the wind?

Accepted Answer

Sails work like airplane wings and need wind flowing across them at an angle. Point inside about 45 degrees of the wind and they just flap. To get upwind you zig-zag on close-hauled, turning through the wind each time. That is called tacking or beating.

Question 17

What does "in irons" mean and how do I get out?

Accepted Answer

In irons means you stopped pointing into the wind and the sails just flap. Hold the jib (or push the boom) out to one side so the wind pushes the bow away. As you drift backward, steering works in reverse: the bow swings toward the side you push the tiller. Once the sails fill, straighten the tiller and trim in.

Question 18

What is a beam reach?

Accepted Answer

A beam reach is sailing with the wind blowing straight across the side of the boat, at 90 degrees. Sails go about halfway out. It is often the fastest and easiest point of sail, which is why first lessons start there.

Question 19

What is running downwind?

Accepted Answer

Running means the wind is straight behind you. Let the sails all the way out. It feels calm, but the boom can swing across with a small turn or wind shift, so keep heads low. Some sailors hold the jib out on the opposite side, called wing-on-wing.

Question 20

What do heading up and bearing away mean?

Accepted Answer

Heading up means turning the bow toward the wind. Bearing away (or bearing off) means turning the bow away from the wind. With a tiller, push it toward the sail to head up and pull it toward you to bear away.

Question 21

How do I tack?

Accepted Answer

Tacking turns the bow through the wind. 1. The skipper says "Ready about." 2. Crew get the jib sheet ready and answer "Ready." 3. The skipper says "Tacking" (or "Helm's a-lee") and pushes the tiller toward the sail. 4. As the bow passes through the wind, release the old jib sheet, duck under the boom, move to the new high side and trim the new sheet.

Question 22

How do I jibe?

Accepted Answer

Jibing turns the stern through the wind, and the boom swings across hard, so control it. 1. Say "Prepare to jibe." 2. Crew answer "Ready." 3. Say "Jibing" (or "Jibe-ho"), steer slowly away from the wind and pull the mainsheet in. 4. Duck as the boom crosses, then ease the sail out on the new side and steer straight.

Question 23

What is an accidental jibe?

Accepted Answer

It happens when you are running and the wind gets behind the mainsail by surprise, so the boom slams across. It is one of the main causes of head injuries on sailboats. Avoid sailing dead downwind, sail at a slight angle instead, and keep heads below the boom. Bigger boats rig a line called a preventer to hold the boom.

Question 24

The boat is leaning a lot. What do I do?

Accepted Answer

Some lean, called heel, is normal. If it feels like too much, ease the mainsheet to spill wind, or head up slightly toward the wind. Crew can sit on the high side. If it keeps happening, it is time to reef. Keelboats are built to round up into the wind before they tip over.

Question 25

What is reefing?

Accepted Answer

Reefing makes the mainsail smaller by lowering it partway and tying down the bottom. You do it when the wind gets strong. The old rule: if you are wondering whether to reef, it is time to reef, and it is easier to do early than late.

Question 26

How do I raise the sails?

Accepted Answer

Point the bow into the wind so the sails can go up without filling. Raise the mainsail first with its halyard, keeping the mainsheet loose, then the jib. Coil the halyard tails so they are ready to run. Lower them in the opposite order: jib, then main, again facing into the wind.

Question 27

How do I dock a sailboat?

Accepted Answer

Come in slowly, usually under engine, heading into the wind or current, whichever is stronger, so it helps you stop. Have fenders hung and bow and stern lines ready before you get close. Step off, do not jump, and never put a hand or foot between the boat and the dock.

Question 28

How do I leave the dock?

Accepted Answer

Check the wind first and plan which lines to release last. Start the engine or have sails ready, release the lines in order, push the bow or stern off and motor clear before raising sails. Bring fenders in once you are away.

Question 29

How do I pick up a mooring ball?

Accepted Answer

Approach slowly heading into the wind or current, like docking. Crew at the bow points at the ball and calls out the distance, then grabs the pennant with a boat hook and drops its loop over a bow cleat. Go too slow rather than too fast; you can always circle and try again.

Question 30

How do I anchor?

Accepted Answer

Pick a spot with good holding, room to swing and enough depth. Head into the wind, stop, lower the anchor to the bottom, then back down slowly while letting out line. Let out at least five times the depth (more in wind), then back gently to set it. Check landmarks to make sure you are not dragging.

Question 31

What do I do if a dinghy capsizes?

Accepted Answer

Stay with the boat; it floats. Make sure everyone is accounted for. Swim to the centerboard, let the sheets loose and pull down on the board to bring the boat upright. Then climb in over the back and steer away. Practice it on a warm day with an instructor.

Question 32

Who has the right of way on the water?

Accepted Answer

The main rules for two sailboats: on opposite tacks, the boat on port tack gives way. On the same tack, the windward (upwind) boat gives way. An overtaking boat always keeps clear. The boat that must give way acts early and obviously; the other holds its course and speed. And everyone stays clear of big ships.

Question 33

What is starboard tack and port tack?

Accepted Answer

Your tack is named for the side the wind comes over. Wind over the starboard (right) side, with the boom out to port, is starboard tack. Wind over the port side is port tack. Starboard tack has right of way over port tack.

Question 34

Does a sailboat have right of way over a powerboat?

Accepted Answer

Usually a powerboat gives way to a boat under sail. But a sailboat with its engine running counts as a powerboat, even with sails up. And sailboats must keep out of the way of large ships in narrow channels, fishing boats working nets and boats that can't maneuver. When in doubt, stay clear.

Question 35

What about big ships and barges?

Accepted Answer

Stay well clear. Big ships can't stop or turn quickly and may not see a small sailboat. Cross behind them, never in front, and keep out of shipping channels when you can. Five or more short blasts on a horn means danger, or "I don't understand what you are doing."

Question 36

What do horn signals mean?

Accepted Answer

One short blast: I'm turning to starboard. Two short: I'm turning to port. Three short: I'm going in reverse. Five or more short: danger, or I don't understand your intentions. One long blast is used when leaving a dock or coming around a blind bend.

Question 37

What lights does a sailboat show at night?

Accepted Answer

Under sail, a red light on the port side of the bow, green on the starboard side and a white light at the stern. When the engine is on, you also show a white masthead light like a powerboat. If you see red and green together, a boat is heading straight at you.

Question 38

What does "red, right, returning" mean?

Accepted Answer

When returning from the sea into a harbor, keep the red marks on your right (starboard) side and the green marks on your left. Red marks are often cone-shaped with even numbers; green marks are square-topped with odd numbers. Heading out to sea, it's the reverse.

Question 39

What is the ICW?

Accepted Answer

The Intracoastal Waterway is a protected channel running along the US East and Gulf coasts. Its markers carry a small yellow triangle or square. A yellow triangle means keep that mark on your starboard side when heading south along the Atlantic coast (or west along the Gulf), whatever its color. Check the chart where the ICW crosses an inlet.

Question 40

What are manatee zones?

Accepted Answer

In Florida, there are posted manatee protection zones with slow-speed or idle-speed rules, often in canals, rivers and near springs. Watch the signs, go slow, wear polarized sunglasses and look for swirls or a nose breaking the surface. Hitting a manatee can kill it.

Question 41

What does "no wake" or "slow speed" mean?

Accepted Answer

Slow speed, minimum wake means the boat sits level in the water, not plowing or on a plane, with very little wake. Idle speed is even slower: just enough to steer. You are responsible for damage your wake causes.

Question 42

What is a knot as a speed?

Accepted Answer

A knot is one nautical mile per hour. A nautical mile is about 1.15 regular miles (6,076 feet). Most small sailboats cruise at 4 to 7 knots.

Question 43

Do I need to read a chart?

Accepted Answer

For your first lessons, no. Your instructor handles it. Charts show water depth, channels, markers and hazards, and the next course after basic sailing usually teaches chart reading. Phone apps with charts make it much easier today, but carry a backup.

Question 44

Which knots should I learn first?

Accepted Answer

Start with four: the figure-eight (a stopper at the end of a sheet), the cleat hitch (tying to a dock cleat), the bowline (a loop that won't slip or jam) and the clove hitch (quick tie for fenders). Add the square knot and round turn with two half hitches next.

Question 45

How do I tie a bowline?

Accepted Answer

Make a small loop in the line (the rabbit hole) with the working end on top. Bring the end up through the loop (the rabbit comes out of the hole), around behind the standing line (around the tree) and back down through the small loop (back in the hole). Pull tight. It makes a fixed loop that won't slip and is easy to untie.

Question 46

How do I tie a cleat hitch?

Accepted Answer

Take the line once around the far horn of the cleat, then cross over the top in a figure-eight, around the other horn, then finish with a loop that flips under itself so the line lies parallel to the last cross. It holds tight and comes off quickly.

Question 47

What is a figure-eight knot for?

Accepted Answer

It is a stopper knot tied in the end of a sheet so it can't pull out through a block or fairlead. Make a loop, take the end around behind the standing line and back down through the loop. It looks like an 8.

Question 48

What is a clove hitch for?

Accepted Answer

It is a quick hitch for hanging fenders on a rail or tying to a post. Wrap the line around the rail, cross over itself, wrap again and tuck the end under the second wrap. It can slip under heavy load, so add a half hitch if it matters.

Question 49

What is a square knot for?

Accepted Answer

Also called a reef knot, it ties two ends of the same line, like tying a sail cover or reefing ties. Right over left, then left over right. Don't use it to join two different ropes under load; it can slip.

Question 50

How do I coil a line?

Accepted Answer

Make even loops in your hand, letting the line twist naturally as you go (clockwise for most rope). Finish by wrapping the end around the coil a few times and tucking it through. A tidy coil runs out without tangles when you need it.

Question 51

Do I have to wear a life jacket?

Accepted Answer

In the US, every boat must carry a Coast Guard-approved wearable life jacket, sized right, for each person aboard, and boats 16 feet and up also need a throwable cushion or ring. Rules for children vary: many states require kids under 13 to wear one while underway, and in Florida it's under 6 on boats under 26 feet. Other countries have their own rules, so check locally. Adults usually aren't required to, but most drownings involve people who weren't wearing one, so wear it.

Question 52

What do I do if someone falls overboard?

Accepted Answer

1. Shout "Crew overboard!" 2. Throw something that floats toward them right away. 3. Have one person point at them and never stop pointing. 4. Press the MOB button on your GPS or radio if you have one. 5. Turn back and come alongside slowly, with sails eased so you can stop. Practice it with a cushion before you ever need it.

Question 53

How do I check the weather?

Accepted Answer

Check the marine forecast from the National Weather Service (NOAA) for wind speed, gusts and storms before you go. In warm places like Florida, summer thunderstorms often build in the afternoon, so sail in the morning and head in when you see tall, darkening clouds. For learning, 5 to 12 knots of wind is ideal.

Question 54

What if there's lightning?

Accepted Answer

Head for shore as soon as you hear thunder or see building storms. If you get caught, lower the sails, put on life jackets, stay low in the cockpit away from the mast and metal fittings, and keep out of the water.

Question 55

What is a float plan?

Accepted Answer

A float plan tells someone ashore where you are going, who is aboard, what the boat looks like and when you'll be back. If you don't come back on time, they know to call for help and where to send it. A text with those details works.

Question 56

How do I call for help on the radio?

Accepted Answer

Use VHF channel 16. For danger to life, say "Mayday, Mayday, Mayday," then your boat name, position, what is wrong and how many people are aboard. For an urgent problem that isn't life-threatening, start with "Pan-pan" three times. In an emergency, calling 911 from a phone also works near the coast.

Question 57

What safety gear does a boat need?

Accepted Answer

At minimum: a life jacket for each person, a throwable device (on boats 16 feet and up), a horn or whistle, navigation lights for night, and on most boats with engines a fire extinguisher and visual distress signals. Add a first aid kit, a VHF radio, a knife and plenty of water.

Question 58

What should I wear sailing?

Accepted Answer

Soft, light-colored rubber-soled shoes that won't mark the deck, a hat, sunglasses with a strap, sunscreen and quick-dry layers. Bring water, a snack and a light rain jacket. Leave dangling jewelry at home.

Question 59

How do I avoid seasickness?

Accepted Answer

Stay on deck in fresh air, look at the horizon and offer to steer, which helps a lot. Eat something light, skip alcohol and stay hydrated. If you're prone to it, ask a pharmacist or doctor about medicine and take it before you go.

Question 60

How do I handle the sun and heat?

Accepted Answer

Wear a wide hat, long sleeves made for sun, polarized sunglasses and reef-safe sunscreen, and reapply often. Drink water before you feel thirsty. Heat exhaustion comes on fast on the water, so rest in the shade if you feel dizzy or sick.

Question 61

Can I drink alcohol while sailing?

Accepted Answer

Operating a boat under the influence is illegal across the US and in many other countries, usually with limits like those for driving, and sun and motion make alcohol hit harder. Save it for the dock.

Question 62

What happens in a first sailing lesson?

Accepted Answer

You'll learn the parts of the boat, how to read the wind and steer, and practice tacking and jibing, usually on a beam reach to start. Most basic keelboat courses run 2 or 3 days and include a short written test. You don't need any experience or gear.

Question 63

What sailing certifications are there?

Accepted Answer

The two main U.S. systems are ASA (its first course is ASA 101 Basic Keelboat Sailing) and US Sailing (Basic Keelboat). Both are respected and many schools offer one or the other. Elsewhere, national bodies run their own courses, like the RYA in the UK and Sail Canada. Charter companies often ask for a certification before renting you a boat.

Question 64

Do I need a license to sail?

Accepted Answer

It depends where you are. In the US there is no general sailing license, but many states require a boater education card to run a motorboat, which can include sailboats with engines. In Florida, for example, anyone born on or after January 1, 1988 needs a Boating Safety Education ID to run a motor of 10 horsepower or more. Other countries have their own rules, so check with your local boating authority.

Sailing questions, answered