A Course for Safe Boating

California Boating

A Course for Safe Boating

Chapter 3

Vessel Operation

SAILING

Sailboats come in a variety of sizes and designs and have four basic parts: the

hull, sails, centerboard or keel, and rudder. The hull is designed to carry the

crew, support the mast and rigging, and to move the boat through the water

easily. The sails provide the power. The centerboard and the keel help keep

the boat stable, so it won’t get pushed sideways by the wind. The rudder steers

the boat.

Smaller sailboats, commonly called day sailors, usually have flat bottoms or

vee-shaped hulls. On a smaller sailboat, the rudder is mounted on brackets

at the stern. The rudder has a wooden or metal bar called a tiller that is used

for steering. When the tiller is turned one way, the boat moves in the opposite

direction. For example, if you push the tiller to starboard the boat will

turn to port. Using the tiller to steer the boat may take some practice.

As the size of the sailboat increases, so does the equipment.

Large cruising sailboats come in a variety of mast and sail

designs, and most have backup engines. Most larger

sailboats have round bottoms and fixed keels.

Larger boats use wheels instead of tillers to

steer. The boat turns in the same direction

that the wheel is turned.

masthead

mast

forestay

port shroud

coaming

foredeck

chine

gunwale

turnbuckle

chainplate

centerboard

centerboard trunk

cockpit

side deck

rudder

transom

tiller

boom

gooseneck

starboard shroud

topping lift

STARBOARD

STERN

BOW

PORT

clew

topsides

Sailboat from Side View