The Language of Sailing

Angle of heel	A hull reference point used while sailing.
Beam	The sides of a boat.
Beam reach	Sailing between close hauled and a broad reach.
Bow	Forward end of boat.
Broad reach	Sailing between beam reach and a run.
Camber	Extra cloth in a sail designed to form an air foil.
Clew	Aft end of sail at the foot.
Close hauled	Sailing close to the wind.
CLR	Center of lateral resistance.
Foot	Bottom edge of a sail.
Genoa	Larger headsail, size could be 150%.
Halyard	Lines used for raising sails.
Head	Topmost part of a sail.
Heel	A boat leaning over at some angle.
Jib	Headsail, size could be 100%.
Jib sheet	Jib sail shape and trim control.
Jibe	Changing direction going downwind.
Knots	Speed and distance measurement or line connections.
Leach	Trailing edge of a sail.
Lee helm	Unbalanced condition forcing boat away from the wind.
Luff	The leading edge of a sail or a shaking sail.
Main sheet	Mainsail shape and trim control.
Mainsail	Sail located behind the main mast.
On the wind	Sailing as close to eye of wind as possible.
Port	Left side of boat looking forward.
Roach	Unsupported sail cloth, aft sail edge.
Run	Sailing downwind.
Sheets	Lines used for trimming sails.
Spinnaker	The queen of racing sails.
Starboard	Right side of boat looking forward.
Stern	Rear of boat.
Tack	Forward end of sail at the foot.
Tacking	Changing direction while sailing into the wind.
Topping lift	Line used to hold boom up when the mainsail is down.
Vang	Mainsail shape control.
Weather helm	Unbalanced condition forcing boat into the wind.