Haul—To pull.

Heel—A vessel is said to heel when she leans to one side. This term is often confused with careen.

Helm—The tiller.

Hitch—To hitch is to make fast. A hitch is a simple turn of rope used to make fast with.

Hove-to—Brought to the wind and kept stationary by having the sails trimmed so that part of the canvas pushes the vessel backward and part pushes her forward; often confused with lying-to.

Hull—The body of a vessel.

Irons—A vessel is in irons when having lost steerageway she refuses to obey the helm.

Jibing—Passing a sail from one side to the other when a vessel is sailing free.

Keel—The largest and lowest timber of a vessel, upon which the hull is erected.