There are many nautical terms used from time to time on this site, here are some of the more common:
Anchor - Metal object designed to dig into the sea bed so when connected to the boat (by rope or chain) holds the boat in one place (hopefully).
Boom - Pole connected to the mast and bottom edge of main sail to control sail.
Bow - Front of boat (normally the pointed end).
Chart - Map of the sea and coastline.
Depth Sounder - Electronic instrument which indicates the depth of water under the boat.
DSC VHF - advanced form of VHF which has a facility for sending an instant distress signal to other vessels or the coastguard. This message includes you precise position if connected to a GPS (also see VHF).
EPIRB - Electronic Beacon used in a distress situation to summon help to your position via satellites.
Fender - Inflatable buoy designed to protect the hull of the boat when moored alongside other boats or walls.
Flare - a pyrotechnic that produces a bright light, used in a distress situation to attract attention to yourself.
Galley - Boats kitchen.
GPS - Electronic instrument which uses satellites to give you your position anywhere on the earths surface.
Halyard - I rope that is used to pull a sail up the mast.
Heads - Boats toilet.
Jib - Sail flown from the front of the boat. Silverwind has a number of different size jibs the No. 1 is the largest followed by the No. 2, No. 3 and then the "Storm". The stronger the wind the smaller the sail we us.
Keel - Large (normally metal) object that sticks down below the boat and keeps the it from sliding sideways across the water (and keeps it upright).
Knot - Unit of Speed used at Sea. It stands for One Nautical Mile per hour and is about 1.25 of a land mile.
Log - Electronic Instrument that indicates the speed the boat is travelling and distance it has traveled.
Main (or Main Sail) - Sail at rear of boat.
Mast - Large vertical pole that supports all the sails.
Nautical Mile - Unit of distance used at sea. Approximately 1.25 land miles.
Nav (Navigation) Lights - Lights displayed by boats at night so other vessels can identify them.
Port - The Nautical term for left side OR another name for a harbour.
Reef - To reduce the size of a sail.
Rudder - Object at the rear of the boat placed into the water to steer the boat.
Sheet - A rope that controls a sail.
Spinnaker - Large (normally colorful) sail used when the wind is coming from behind the boat.
Spinnaker Pole - pole attached to the mast to hold the Spinnaker in shape.
Starboard - The Nautical term for right side.
Stern - Rear of the boat.
Tiller - Stick connected to the rudder which you hold to steer the boat.
VHF - Boats radio for speaking to other boats. (also see DSC VHF)
Waypoint - A position on a chart which you put into a GPS in order to allow the GPS to guide you to it.
Windward - Towards the direction the wind is coming from.
"...goals are dreams with a timescale..." © S Kent 2004