While you may not need to know any yacht terminology for an upcoming charter, it can be interesting and useful to know some of the parts of the boat and other common terms that you may hear used during your time at sea.  Boats, whether sailing vessels or motorized, often come with their own terminology.  Having a good understanding of some of the most commonly used phrases, including the names of the different parts of your boat, can go a long way to making you feel like a true sailor.

Terminology for the Areas of a Luxury Yacht

Two important words for your boat are the bow and the stern.  The bow refers to the front of the boat, while the stern is the back.  Port is the left-side of the boat when facing the front of the boat.  The opposite of this is starboard, the right-side of the boat.  Other terminology that you might hear when describing an area of your luxury yacht are foredeck and aft deck.  The foredeck is the forward deck of the boat, while aft deck refers to the rear deck.

Rooms and other areas aboard a luxury yacht also have their own unique terminology.  The bridge is the area where the captain drives the boat.  The helm is where the yacht wheel and steering system are located on the boat.  Galley is another common term used by boaters.  This refers to the kitchen area.  The main salon is a formal lounge space on the main deck of the yacht.  This typically adjoins the dining area and is a space where guests frequently congregate.  The cabins, where guests will leave their belongings and sleep, are called staterooms.  Some smaller yachts refer to the bathroom as the head, but on other larger boats and superyachts this is commonly referred to as the toilet or washroom.

Other Yachting Terms that Can Be Useful During Your Charter

You may hear the word bimini during your time onboard.  This refers to a shade awning.  The bulkheads are the interior walls of the boat and compartments that are watertight.  The boat’s speed is measured in knots and distance is measured in nautical miles.

Gaining some basic knowledge of boat terminology prior to your luxury yacht charter can make your time at sea even more interesting and enjoyable.