What the stern is
The stern is the back part of the boat. It is the opposite of the bow, which goes ahead. If the bow opens a path through the water, the stern closes the sailboat’s passage.
It is a key area. That is where the rudder is, the part with which the vessel is steered. That is why the skipper works close to the stern: from there they control where the boat goes and at what speed.
Where you live it on board
On our sailboats, the stern tends to be one of the most pleasant areas. It sits close to the sun deck and the shaded area, so many passengers spend much of the day there. It is a good place to feel the gentle roll and the clean air.
On the return to the harbour of Los Gigantes, looking towards the stern has something special. You see the wake, that line of foam the boat leaves behind, with the cliffs in the background. The sea is not a stage, but that image stays with you.
We do not sell an excursion, we share an experience. And the stern, calm and unhurried, is a good place to let the day settle before returning to land.
A detail to remember
On many boats, the stern is also the gateway to the sea. When anchoring, if the state of the sea allows, you climb down from the stern for a swim and some snorkelling. It is the point closest to the water.
That is why the stern plays two roles: it is the command post and, at the same time, the springboard to the aperitif and the dip. Ahead, the bow leads; behind, the stern keeps the rudder, the wake and that last swim many remember as the best part of the day.
