A line used to trim a sail. You bring in the sail if you pull on it and let it out if you loosen it.

A chain, a line, or, in most cases, a combination of both, that connects an anchor to the boat.

A line attached to two points on the boat and one point off the boat. Often used for mooring or anchoring.

An installation on a boat, often astern, used to lift and lower dinghies.

A small boat, often used to bridge distances between shore and boats that can’t be in shallow waters.

A cylindrical piece of hardware used to wrap a line around so that force on the line is reduced. They contain transmission drums - a handle can be attached to them allowing “cranking” using more rotations and less force. They often have two speeds - cranking one way with less rotations but requiring more force, the other way with more rotations but requiring less force.

A triangular sail at the bow of the boat, attached to a forestay.

The sail attached to the mast of the boat.

The highest pole in the center of the boat - the mainsail is attached to it.

An arrow at the head of the mast that points to where the wind is coming from.

An area on the boat where helmstations are located, often with seating for crew and guests.

A roofed area on a catamaran, on deck and across hulls, often a common space for crew and guests that often houses the galley and a seating area.

A net at the bow of a catamaran between both hulls that provides safety but can also be used to lay out and chill.

A wire running from aloft the mast down to the center of the bow that prevents the mast from bending/falling aft. Jibs are attached to it.

A wire that runs from aloft the mast (often the head of the mast) to the center of the stern of the boat that prevents the mast from bending/falling forward. Catamarans usually don’t have it.

An installation of wires that run from the head of the mast to the foot of the mast, spread by spreaders, intended to replace a missing backstay; often used on catamarans.

Wires running from the head of the mast, over spreaders to each sides of the boat, preventing the mast from bending/falling sideways.

Strong beams starboard and port of the mast, providing stability and distance of shrouts.

A strong beam at the bow of a catamaran connecting the two hulls.

A strong beam in the center of the boat, parallel to both hulls, forward of the deckhouse.

The position on a boat that controls the boat’s direction, often equipped with either a steering wheel or a tiller, engine controls, sometimes navigation instruments. There can be two of them on the boat, one for each side. Catamarans sometimes have them separate from the cockpit, in a higher position with more visibility.

Line that is attached to the head of a sail. It can be used to hoist a sail, runs up to the mast and back down, is often led back to the cockpit.