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Ahoy, mateys! Are you ready to step aboard Wild Hearts for a sea-sational sailing adventure? Before we batten down the hatches and hoist the sails, let’s get familiar with the ship’s anatomy. When you hop aboard our 54-foot catamaran, Captain Zack and Deckhand Brittney will get you up to speed on how Wild Hearts works, but we’ve got some terms to help you get ahead of the following seas.

From the keel to the mast, we’ll cover the basic sailboat parts and a few of our unique and specialty features. Ready to dive into the world of nautical know-how? Let’s set sail!

Keel: This is the backbone of the boat, providing stability and direction. Think of it as the ship’s spine that helps keep you upright and stable. Catamarans like Wild Hearts don’t have a keel, but monohull sailboats do. This means that a catamaran can sail into more shallow waters than our friends sailing a monohull.

Hull: The hull is the main body of the boat, enclosing the living space and cargo. It’s like the ship’s skin.

Mast: A pole that rises vertically from the deck of a boat and supports the sails. Wild Heart’s mast is custom-made at 72 feet to fit perfectly underneath the Perdido Pass Bridge.

Mainsail: The mainsail on the mast drives the sailboat windward (toward the wind). Ours features Grace, our faithful mermaid guide, and our contact information.

Boom: A horizontal pole that attaches to the mast and extends the foot (bottom) of the mainsail. Ours stretches a wide 30 feet. On smaller sailboats, you really have to watch out for the boom as it’ll knock your hat off if you aren’t paying attention – duck, sailor! No worries on Wild Hearts, though!

Jib: A triangular sail set forward of the mast, helping with steering and maneuverability. It’s basically your mainsail’s co-pilot.

Rigging: The collective term for all of the ropes, cables, and chains that support and control the sails and mast, keeping everything together and functioning smoothly.

Halyard: The ropes used to hoist and lower the sails. They’re like the ship’s pulleys.

Sheets: Sheets are the ropes that control the sails, adjusting their position to harness the wind. They’re like the ship’s reins.

Bow: The forward part of a boat, where some of our guests like to sit and sunbathe.

Stern: The back of a boat.

Helm: A tiller or wheel and any associated equipment for steering a ship or boat; it’s where you steer the ship and shout, “Aye, aye, Captain!” while feeling like a true sea dog. Ours is a wheel and we let our passengers take the helm at times during the cruise.

Rudder: An underwater fin located at the stern that helps with steering.

Now that you’ve got the lowdown on all things sailboat, you’re practically a seasoned sailor—or at least ready to impress your friends with some salty lingo. But why just read about it when you can live it? Step aboard Wild Hearts and feel the wind in your hair, the sun on your face, and the thrill of sailing the high seas. Book your cruise today and discover the magic of the Gulf firsthand—your sea legs are waiting! Anchors aweigh!