Port
From the captain's vantage, the left side of a boat
Tip: port and left are both 4 letter words
Starboard
From the captain's vantage, the right side of a boat
Freeboard
The distance measured from the waterline to the gunwale
Draft
The distance between the waterline and the keel of a boat; the minimum depth of water in which a boat will float
Keel
The fin running longitudinally along the center of the bottom of the hull from stem to stern; provides stability
Beam
The width of a boat, measured at its widest point
Waterline
The intersection of a boat's hull and the water's surface, or where the boat sits in the water
Back Light
An all-round white light
Stern
The rear of a boat
Transom
The cross section of the stern (rear of a boat)
Red and Green Navigation Sidelights
The red light indicates a vessel's port (left) side; the green indicates a vessel's starboard (right) side
Waterline
The intersection of a boat's hull and the water's surface, or where the boat sits in the water
Draft
The distance between the waterline and the keel of a boat; the minimum depth of water in which a boat will float
Freeboard
The distance measured from the waterline to the gunwale
Gunwale
The gunwale is the upper edge of a boat's side.
(Generally pronounced gunnel)
Cleat
Cleats are metal fittings on which a rope can be fastened.
Hull
The body of a boat
Bow
The front of a boat
Anchor
A device, usually made of metal, that is cast overboard to secure the boat in one place.
note: the anchor may be located at the bow (as shown) or the stern