What do sailors call the back of a boat?

The story behind the answer

Sailors call the back of a boat the stern. Historically, the steering gear (rudder) was mounted at the rear, so the “steering end” became the stern—the place from which the vessel was controlled. The opposite end is the bow (front), while the sides are port (left) and starboard (right).

Helpful memory aids: - Stern = aft = “after” end (the back). - You bow forward, so the bow is the front. - Port and left both have four letters;