This page will be a constant work in progress for awhile as I run into new terms that might be helpful for beginners to know.

Parts of a ship

Hull - The main body of a ship including the sides and bottom but not the masts

Keel - Beam along the bottom of a ship on which the rest of the hull is built. Sometimes this extends below the hull as a blade to increase stability.

Directions

Aft - Backwards direction on a ship, towards the stern 

Bow - Front of a ship 

Fore - Forward direction on a ship, towards the bow 

Port - Left side of a ship when facing forward ("driver" side in the US) 

Stern - Rear of a ship 

Starboard - Right side of a ship when facing forward ("passenger" side in the US)

Bowsprit - Spar extending forward from a ship's bow to which forestays are fastened 

Fore-mast - Mast in front of the main-mast

Main-mast - Tallest mast, usually situated towards the center of the ship

Mast - Tall post on a ship usually carrying one or more sails

Mizzen-mast - Mast immediately behind main-mast, usually shorter than fore-mast

Spar - Any strong post used on a ship. Examples include masts and bowsprit.

Sprit Topmast - Small mast set on the bowsprit. Not counted when identifying a ship as two or three masted.

Stay - Rigging that runs along the centerline of a ship from a mast

Yard - Usually describes horizontal spars on square rigged ships