Parts of a Boat

Most boats have parts which are unique to their make and class - the more standard parts are described here.

Hull: The boat itself.  The hull keeps the water out
Cockpit: The "hole" where the crew sits.  In dinghies all controls are accessible from the cockpit.
Transom: The vertical part at the stern of the boat.  The rudder is attached to the transom on most dinghies.
Bow: The front end of the boat.
Stern: The back end of the boat.
Starboard: Looking forward, the right side of the boat.
Port: Looking forward, the left side of the boat.
Mast: The big stick standing vertically in the middle of the boat.
Shrouds: Wires that hold the mast up (there aren’t any on a Topper).
Boom: The horizontal stick attached to the mast at head hitting height. The boom is used to maintain the sail shape.  The boom is attached to the mast close to the base of the mast by the gooseneck which allows it to pivot about the mast.
Kicker: (Kicking strap or vang) A pulley system attached at one end to the base of the mast and at the other end to the boom - usually about a quarter way along the boom's length.  The kicker keeps the boom from lifting and so maintains sail shape.
Parts of a Sail: Most sails on sport dinghies are triangular.  The leading edge of the sail is called the Luff.  The base edge (along the boom) is the Foot.  The trailing edge is the Leech.  The corner at the top (between the luff and the leech) is called the Head. The lower leading corner (between the luff and the foot) is the Tack.  The lower trailing corner (between the leech and the foot) is the Clew.
Jib: A forward sail on some dinghies – not on a Topper
Mainsail: The ...er... well, main sail of a boat - the only sail on a Topper
Halyard: The rope used to raise a sail; attached to the head and runs down the mast. (BJS Toppers don’t have them)
Downhaul: Used to pull down the mainsail to control its shape. Attached between the tack of the sail and the base of the mast. (Also called the Cunningham on some dinghies)
Outhaul: The outhaul pulls the clew of the mainsail out along the boom
Clew Strap: Holds the clew of a loose footed mainsail (like the Topper’s) down to the boom.
Mainsheet: A rope from the end of the boom used to control the mainsail position - it is NOT a sail.
Traveler ( or Horse): The mainsheet runs from the end of the boom around a block and into the helmsman's hands.  This block is attached to and moves along a rope running across the top of the transom  This rope is called a Traveler (or Horse) as it allows the block to move from one side of the transom to the other as the boat tacks.
Rudder: The rudder hangs on the transom and is used to steer the boat. On most dinghies the rudder can be raised to allow easier launching and recovery
Tiller: A short stick attached to the rudder. It is the handle used (by the nut on the end of the tiller) to turn the rudder and so steer the boat.
Tiller Extension: An extension to the tiller.  The tiller extension usually pivots about the inboard end of the tiller on horizontal and vertical axes.  It allows the helmsman to steer while hiking out.
Centreboard: The "fin" which protrudes from the bottom of the hull. The centreboard prevents sideways drift.  Centreboards are pivoted about a pin and can be raised or lowered as required.  Used in larger dinghies and some small yachts – not the Topper
Daggerboard: The daggerboard is a centreboard which, instead of pivoting about a pin, is raised or lowered vertically.
Toe straps: Straps attached at both ends to the deck of the cockpit  Hook your toes under these when hiking out - if you don't you'll fall out.
Painter: A bit of rope tied on to the front of the boat. At BYC this is often used for towing.
Self bailer: In some dinghies you'll find a handy little device in the deck of the cockpit which can be used to get rid of water in the cockpit.  Self bailers only work when the boat is moving at considerable speed - when you're not moving they're just a hole in the boat.  They also have an annoying habit of breaking, in which case they should be kept locked shut. Most BJS bailers have been removed.