Dowse:

To lower a sail.

Draught:

The depth of water drawn by a boat.

Fender:

An appliance made of soft rubber or plastic and hung between boat and jetty to prevent chafing.

Foot:

The lower edge of a sail.

Fore and aft:

In line with the keel, lengthways of the ship.

Forward:

Towards the bow.

Freeboard:

The distance, measured in the center of a boat, from the waterline to the upper deck level.

Freshen:

The wind freshens as it increases.

Go about:

To tack.

Gooseneck:

Universal joint used to secure a boom to a mast.

Guy:

A rope or wire used to control a spar (usually a spinnaker boom).

Gybe:

To alter the direction of a boat downwind so that the wind comes form the other side of the boat.

Halyards:

Lines used to hoist sails.

Head:

A boat’s lavatory.

Heave-to:

‘Stopping’ a sailing boat can be done with the help of the engine or by laying her on the wind with her helm pushed down to leeward and her sails shortened and so trimmed that as she comes up to the wind she will fall off again on the same tack, thus making no headway. The boat is now said to be ‘hove-to’.

Heel:

When a boat lists from the upright.

Helm:

The tiller of wheel used for steering the boat.

Hull:

The structure of a boat below deck level.