Sailing yacht parts diagram

Kicker, vang

Kicker (UK) or boom vang (US) is a system to pull the boom down in order to control the shape of the main sail.

Jammers

Jammer is an appliance to fix and hold ropes that get heavily loaded on the boat by jamming them.

Rubbing strake

A strip attached to the boat's hull to protect from rubbing against something when coming alongside.

Transom

The back surface of the boat

Pushpit

A more rigid safety rail on the stern of a sailing yacht.

Winch

A device to increase pulling power on a line by winding with a handle.

Cockpit

Part of the sailing yacht where crew stays while sailing

Boom

A horizontal pole attached to the mast and extending aft to support the main sail's foot

Back stay

A cable from the stern of the yacht to the top of the mast to support it

Jib, genoa

Headsail that is usually attached to the forestay and is in front of the mast. Genoa is bigger headsail than a jib.

Mast

A vertical pole to carry sails

Forestay

A cable running from the bow to the top of the mast to support it. Headsail usually gets attached to the forestay

Furling drum

Where fitted, this device allows to furl or unfurl headsail that stays attached to the forestay most of the time, also when not sailing

Pullpit

A more rigid safety rail at the bow of the sailing yacht

Bow

Front side of a boat

Raling

Cables running along sides of a boat to decrease chance of crew falling overboard

Stanchion

Stanchions are vertical poles along sides of a boat that support railing

Shroud

A metal cable from a side of the boat to support the mast

Side deck

(Walking) top surface of the hull along sides of the boat

Even before you step on a sailing yacht, it’s important to have an idea of how different parts of a sailing yacht are named. To help you start, we have created this sailing yacht parts diagram:

In the world of sailing it’s often not enough to only describe something with text. Therefore, we show you a sailing yacht parts diagram and indicate various parts and their names. Where possible, we also add a bigger picture.

Move your mouse pointer over the various names on the picture to get description.

You might also be interested in: Dutch sailing terminology