A free swinging spar attached to the top edge of a sail.
Galley
The kitchen area of a boat.
Gangway
The area of a ship's side where people board and disembark.
Garboard
Used in conjunction with strake. Refers to the planks, or strakes, on either side of and adjacent to the keel.
Give-Way Vessel
A term used to describe the vessel which must yield in meeting, crossing, or overtaking situations.
Give Way Together
Command used by Coxswain in larger rowing boats.
Gollywobbler
A full, quadrilateral sail used in light air on schooners. It is flown high, between the fore and main mast, and is also known as a fisherman's staysail.
Gooseneck
The fitting that connects the boom to the mast.
Grab Rails
Hand-hold fittings mounted on cabin tops and sides for personal safety when moving around the boat.
Ground Tackle
A collective term for the anchor and its associated gear.
Gunter Rig
Similar to a gaff rig, except that the spar forming the "gaff" is hoisted to an almost vertical position, extending well above the mast.
Gunwale
Most generally, the upper edge of the side of a boat.
Guy
A line used to control the end of a spar. A spinnaker pole, for example, has one end attached to the mast, while the free end is moved back and forth with a guy.
H
Halyards
Lines used to hoist or lower sails or flags. Lines used to haul up the sail and the wooden spars (boom and gaff) that hold the sails in place.
Hard Chine
An abrupt intersection between the hull side and the hull bottom of a boat so constructed.
Hatch
an opening in the deck for entering below.
Head
For a triangular sail, the top corner. Also a marine toilet.
Headfoil
a grooved rod fitted over the forestay to provide support for luff of the sail or help support the forestay.
Head Knocker
A block with a jam cleat, located on the boom and used to control the main sheet on small boats.
Heading
The direction in which a vessel's bow points at any given time.
Headsails
Any sail forward of the foremast.
Headway
Forward motion of boat opposite to sternway.
Helm
The wheel or tiller controlling the rudder.
Helmsman
Sailor who steers the boat.
Hiking Stick
(tiller extension) An extension of the tiller that enables the helms man to sit at a distance from it.
Hitch
A knot used to secure a rope to another object or to another rope, or to form a loop or a noose in a rope.
Hold
A compartment below deck in a vessel, used solely for carrying cargo.
Hull
The main body of a vessel.
I
In Irons
A sailboat with its bow pointed directly into the wind, preventing the sails from filling properly and stopping the boat.
In the Offing
In the water visible from on board a ship, now used to mean something imminent.
Inboard
More toward the center of a vessel; inside; an engine fitted inside a boat.
Inspection Port
A watertight covering, usually small, that may be removed so the interior of the hull can be inspected or water removed.
Iron Topsail
An auxillary motor on a schooner.
Iron wind
What sailors call inboard engines
J
Jacklines
or jack stays. Lines, often steel wire with a plastic jacket, from the bow to the stern on both port and starboard. The Jack Lines are used to clip on the safety harness to secure the crew to the vessel while giving them the freedom to walk on the deck.
Jacobs Ladder
A rope ladder, lowered from the deck, as when pilots or passengers come aboard.
Jam Cleat
A cleat designed to hold a line in place without slipping. -It consists of two narrowing jaws with teeth in which the line is placed.
Jetty
A structure, usually masonry, projecting out from the shore; a jetty may protect a harbor entrance.
Jettison
To throw overboard.
Jib
A triangular foresail in front of the foremast.
Jib Halyard
The line that raises and lowers the jib.
Jib Sheet
A line that controls the jib; as in: Trim the jib sheet according to the telltales.
Jibe
To turn the stern of the boat through the eye of the wind; as in: To jibe under control we first trim the mainsheet.
Jibboom
A spar used to extend the bowsprit.
Jiffy reefing
A fast method of reefing. Lines pull down the luff and the leech of the sail, reducing its area.
Joggle
A slender triangular recess cut into the faying surface of a frame or steamed timber to fit over the land of clinker planking, or cut into the faying edge of a plank or rebate to avoid feather ends on a strake of planking. The feather end is cut off to produce a nib. The joggle and nib in this case is made wide enough to allow a caulking iron to enter the seam.
Jumper Stay
A short stay supporting the top forward portion of the mast. The stay runs from the top of the mast forward over a short jumper strut, then down to the mast, usually at the level of the spreaders.
Jumbo
The larger of the headsails.
K
Kedge Off
Using an anchor to pull the boat into deeper water; as in: If we run aground we might be able to kedge off.
Keel
The timber at the very bottom of the hull to which frames are attached.
Keelson
A structural member above and parallel to the keel.
Ketch
A type of boat with two masts the second of which is lower and is stepped forward of the rudder post; as in: The ketch design provides a wide variety of possible sail combinations.
Kick-up
Describes a rudder or centerboard that rotates back and up when an obstacle is encountered. Useful when a boat is to be beached.
Knockabout
A type of schooner without a bowsprit.
Knockdown
When the heel of the boat approaches 90°; as in: Most sailors will never experience a knockdown.
Knot
1. A measure of speed equal to one nautical mile (6076 feet) per hour. 2. A fastening made by interweaving rope to form a stopper, to enclose or bind an object, to form a loop or a noose, to tie a small rope to an object, or to tie the ends of two small ropes together.
L
Lapper
A foresail which extends back of and overlapping the mast, such as a 110% genoa jib.
Latitude
The distance north or south of the equator measured and expressed in degrees.
Lazarette
A storage space in a boat's stern area.
Lazy Jack
Light lines from the topping lift to the boom, forming a cradle into which the mainsail may be lowered.
Lead
Refers to the direction in which a line goes. A boom vang, for example, may "lead to the cockpit."
Leech
The aft edge of a triangular sail.
Leech Line
A line running through the leech of the sail, used to tighten it.
Lee
The side sheltered from the wind.
Leeward
The direction away from the wind. Opposite of Windward.
Leeway
The sideways movement of the boat caused by either wind or current.
Lee Boards
Pivoting boards on either side of a boat which serve the same function as a centerboard. The board to leeward is dropped, the board to windward is kept up.
Lie Ahull
A storm tactic whereby no sail is set; as in: We tried to lie ahull but found the motion not to our liking.
Lift
Opposite of header, a wind shift allowing the helmsperson to steer closer to the desired course; as in: If we get a lift we may not need to tack.
Lines
Rope or cordage used for various purposes aboard a boat.
Log
A record of courses or operation. Also, a device to measure speed.
Long Stay
A description for the relative slackness of an anchor chain; this term means taught and extended.
Longitude
Position measured in degrees east or west of the meridian at Greenwich, England.
Loose-Footed
Describes a mainsail attached to the boom at the tack and clew, but not along the length of it's foot.
Lubber Line
A mark or permanent line on a compass indicating the direction forward parallel to the keel when properly installed.
Luff
The forward edge of a triangular sail. In a mainsail the luff is that portion that is closest to the mast.
Luff or Luffing
when the vessel is brought too far into the wind the trailing edge or Leech of the sail begins to shiver or shake.
M
Mainmast
the tallest mast of the ship; on a schooner, the mast furthest aft.
Mainsail
The lowest square sail on the mainmast.
Marline
A light twine size line which has been tarred.
Marline Selling
A tool for opening the strands of a rope while splicing.
Mast
Main vertical spar used to support sails and their running rigging and in turn is supported by standing rigging.
Mast Step
Fitting or construction into which the base of the mast is placed.
Masthead Rig
A design in which the forestay runs to the peak of the mast.
Mechanical advantage (or purchase)
A mechanical method of increasing an applied force. Disregarding the effects of friction, if a force of 100 pounds applied to a tackle is magnified to a force of 400 pounds, the purchase or mechanical advantage is said to be four to one, or 4: 1.
Midship
Approximately in the location equally distant from the bow and stern.
Mizzen
A fore and aft sail flown on the mizzenmast.
Monkey Deck
A false deck built over a permanent deck. Often used in the bow of larger sailing ships, forward of the anchor windlass and provides a working platform around the portion of the bowsprit as it attaches to the ship.
Mooring
An arrangement for securing a boat to a mooring buoy or a pier.
N
Nautical Mile
One minute of latitude; approximately 6076 feet: about 1/8 longer than the statute mile of 5280 feet.
Navigation
The art and science of conducting a boat safely from one point to another.
Navigation Regulations (or COLREGS)
The regulations governing the movement of vessels in relation to each other, generally called steering and sailing rules.
Neap-Tide
tide period in which high water is lowest (soon after the moons 1st and 3rd quarter).
O
Oar
Device used to propel small boats by rowing.
Off the Wind
Sailing with the wind coming from the stern or quarter of the boat.
Offshore Wind
A wind blowing off the land, opposite of…
On the Hard
Description of a boat that has been hauled and is now sitting on dry land.
On the Wind
Sailing close hauled. Sailing toward the wind as much as possible with the wind coming from the bow.
Onshore Wind
A wind blowing onto the land
Outboard
Toward or beyond the boat's sides. A detachable engine mounted on a boat's stern.
Outhaul
1. Usually a line or tackle, an outhaul is used to pull the clew of the mainsail towards the end of the boom, thus tightening the foot of the sail. 2. Straightening out misaligned or partially fouled sails and rigging.
Outrigger
A structure which extends outboard to suspend lines or nets over the water or small secondary hull.
Overboard
Over the side or out of the boat.
Overhang
When the bow and or stern extend beyond the waterline; as in: Many older boats have a lot of overhang.
Overpowered
Too much power in the sails producing excessive heel and difficult steering; as in: When the wind speeds up we depower the sails to prevent being overpowered.
Overtake
To come up from behind; as in: When we overtake another vessel we must keep out of her way.
P
Pay Out
to feed line over the side of the boat, hand over hand.
Pedestal
A vertical post in the cockpit used to elevate the steering wheel into a convenient position.
Pier
1. A loading platform extending at an angle from the shore. 2. A wood, metal or concrete pole driven into the bottom. Craft may be made fast to a pile; it may be used to support a pier (see PILING) or a float.
Piling
Support, protection for wharves, piers etc.; constructed of piles (see PILE).
Pilothouse
a small cabin on the deck of the ship that protects the steering wheel and the crewman steering.
Planking
wood boards that cover the frames outside the hull.
Piloting
Navigation by use of visible references, the depth of the water, etc.
Planing
A boat is said to be planing when it is essentially moving over the top of the water rather than through the water.
Planing Hull
A type of hull shaped to glide easily across the water at high speed.
Port
The left side of a boat looking forward. A harbor.
Privileged Vessel
A vessel which, according to the applicable Navigation Rule, has right-of-way (this term has been superseded by the term "stand-on").
Pulpit
A metal framework on deck at the bow or stern. Provides a safety railing and serves as an attachment for the lifelines.
Pushpit
pulpit located on the stern.
Q
Quarter
The sides of a boat aft of amidships.
Quartering
Sailing with the wind between the stern and the beam
Quartering Sea
Sea coming on a boat's quarter.
Queen topsail
small stay sail located between the foremast and mainmast.
R
Rake
The fore or aft angle of the mast. Can be deliberately induced (by adjustment of the standing rigging) to flatten sails, balance steering, etc. Normally slightly aft.
Reef points
A horizontal line of light lines on a sail which may be tied to the boom, reducing the area of the sail during heavy winds.
Rigging
the lines that hold up the masts and move the sails (standing and running rigging).
Roach
The curved portion of a sail extending past a straight line drawn between two corners. In a mainsail, the roach extends past the line of the leech between the head and the clew and is often supported by battens.
Rocker
The upward curvature of the keel towards the bow and stern.
Rode
The anchor line and/or chain.
Rope
In general, cordage as it is purchased at the store. When it comes aboard a vessel and is put to use it becomes line.
Roller furler
Furling unit. Reduces the area of a sail by rolling it around a stay, the mast, or the boom. Most common on headsails.
Rub-rail
Also rubbing strake or rub strake. An applied or thickened member at the rail, running the length of the boat; serves to protect the hull when alongside a pier or another boat.
Rudder
A vertical plate or board for steering a boat.
Run
To allow a line to feed freely.
Running Backstay
Also runner, or preventive backstay. A stay that supports the mast from aft, usually from the quarter rather than the stern. When the boat is sailing downwind, the runner on the leeward side of the mainsail must be released so as not to interfere with the sail.
Running Rigging
The adjustable portion of the rigging, used to control sails and equipment.
Running Lights
Lights required to be shown on boats underway between sundown and sunup.
S
Sail
a piece of cloth that catches or directs the wind and so powers a vessel.
Sailing Rig
the equipment used to sail a boat, including sails, booms and gaffs, lines and blocks.
Scandalize
On a gaff rig the sail is made loose footed, the clew is brought forward along the boom and the sail cloth is drawn up in folds along the gaff and mast. From this position the sail is instantly available for use.
Schooner
Sailing ships with at least 2 masts (foremast and mainmast) with the mainmast being the taller. Word derives from the term "schoon/scoon" meaning to move smoothly and quickly. ( a 3-masted vessel is called a "tern").
Scope
Technically, the ratio of length of anchor rode in use to the vertical distance from the bow of the vessel to the bottom of the water. Usually six to seven to one for calm weather and more scope in storm conditions.
Screw
A boat's propeller.
Scupper
Drain in cockpit, coaming, or toe-rail allowing water to drain out and overboard. When in toe rail, properly known as "freeing port".
Scuttle
A round window in the side or deck of a boat that may be opened to admit light and air, and closed tightly when required.
Seat-Locker
A storage locker located under a cockpit seat.
Sea Cock
A through hull valve, a shut off on a plumbing or drain pipe between the vessel's interior and the sea.
Seat locker
A storage locker located under a cockpit seat.
Self-bailing cockpit
A watertight cockpit with scuppers, drains, or bailers that remove water.
Self-tacking
Normally applied to a sail that requires no adjustment other than sheeting when boat is tacked.
Seamanship
All the arts and skills of boat handling, ranging from maintenance and repairs to piloting, sail handling, marlinespike work, and rigging.
Sea Room
A boat or a boat's gear able to meet the usual sea conditions.
Secure
To make fast.
Set
Direction toward which the current is flowing.
Sheer
The line of the upper deck when viewed from the side. Normal sheer curves up towards the bow and stern. Reverse sheer curves down towards the bow and stern. Compound sheer, curving up at the front of the boat and down at the stern, and straight sheer are uncommon.
Sheer Strake
The topmost planking in the sides, often thicker than other planking.
Sheets
Lines used to control the position of a sail.
Shrouds
Lateral supports for the mast, usually of wire or metal rod.
Ship
A larger vessel usually thought of as being used for ocean travel. A vessel able to carry a "boat" on board.
Shroud
a line or wire running from the top of the mast to the spreaders, then attaching to the side of the vessel.
Skeg
usually refers to a structural support to which the rudder is fastened.
Slab Reefing
Also points reefing, and sometimes jiffy reefing. Reduces the area of the mainsail by partially lowering the sail and re-securing the new foot by tying it to the boom with points, or light lines attached to the sail.
Slack
Not fastened; loose. Also, to loosen.
Sounding
A measurement of the depth of water.
Spar
a pole or a beam.
Spar Poles
most often of wood, aluminum or carbon fiber, used as supports, such as the mast, boom, or spinnaker pole.
Spinnaker
A large, triangular sail, most often symmetrical, flown from the mast in front of all other sails and the forestay. Used sailing downwind.
Spirit
The spar that supports the peak of a spritsail.
Splashboard
A raised portion of the hull forward of the cockpit intended to prevent water entering.
Spreaders
Also crosstrees. Short horizontal struts extending from the mast to the sides of the boat, changing the upward angle of the shrouds.
Spring Line
A pivot line used in docking, undocking, or to prevent the boat from moving forward or astern while made fast to a dock.
Spritsail
A four-sided fore and aft sail set on the mast, and supported by a spar from the mast diagonally to the peak of the sail.
Standing Rigging
Permanent rigging used to support the spars. May be adjusted during racing, in some classes.
Stay
a line or wire from the mast to the bow or stern of a ship, for support of the mast (fore, back, running, and triadic stays).
Staysail
A sail that is set on a stay, and not on a yard or a mast.
Stem
the timber at the very front of the bow.
Strake
On wooden boats, a line of planking running from the bow to the stern along the hull.
Squall
A sudden, violent wind often accompanied by rain.
Square Knot
A knot used to join two lines of similar size. Also called a reef knot.
Standing Part
That part of a line which is made fast. The main part of a line as distinguished from the bight and the end.
Stand-On Vessel
That vessel which has right-of-way during a meeting, crossing, or overtaking situation.
Starboard
The right side of a boat when looking forward.
Stem
The most forward vertical structural member in the bow.
Stern
The after part of the boat.
Stern Line
A docking line leading from the stern.
Stow
To put an item in its proper place.
Strake
On wooden boats, a line of planking running from the bow to the stern along the hull.
Swamp
To fill with water, but not settle to the bottom.
Sweat And Tail
Sweat is the act of hauling a halyard to raise a sail or spar done by pulling all slack outward and then downward. Tail is controlling, coiling, and securing the running end of the halyard.
T
Tabernacle
A hinged mast step located on deck. Since it is hinged, the mast may be lowered easily.
Tack
On a triangular sail, the bottom forward corner. Also, to turn the bow of the boat through the wind so the wind exerts pressure on the opposite side of the sail.
Taffrail
The rail at the stern of the boat.
Tang
A fitting, often of sheet metal, used to attach standing rigging to a spar, or to the hull.
Thwart
A transverse structural member in the cockpit. In small boats, often used as a seat.
Thwartships
At right angles to the centerline of the boat.
Tide
The periodic rise and fall of water level in the oceans.
Tiller
A bar or handle for turning a boat's rudder or an outboard motor.
Toe-rail
A low rail, often slotted, along the side of the boat. Slots allow drainage and the attachment of blocks.
Topmast
a second spar carried at the top of the fore or main mast, used to fly more sail.
Topping Lift
A line or wire rope used to support the boom when a boat is anchored or moored.
Topsides
The sides of a vessel between the waterline and the deck; sometimes referring to onto or above the deck.
Trampoline
The fabric support that serves for seating between the hulls of a catamaran.
Transom
The flat, or sometimes curved terminating structure of the hull at the stern of a boat.
Trapeze
Wire gear enabling a crewmember to place all of his weight outboard of the hull, thus helping to keep the boat level.
Traveler
A fitting across the boat to which sheets are led. In many boats the traveler may be adjusted from side to side so that the angle of the sheets can be changed to suit conditions.
Trim
Fore and aft balance of a boat.
Twing / Tweaker
Similar to a Barberhauler, a twing adjusts the angle of sheeting.
U
Under Bare Poles
To have no sails up.
Underway
Vessel in motion, not moored or aground
Uphaul
A line or wire used to control the height of a spinnaker pole
Upwind
Any course closer to the wind than a beam reach
V
V Bottom
A hull with the bottom section in the shape of a "V".
V-Hull
The shape of a boat or ship in which the contours of the hull come in a straight line to the keel.
Van
A device, usually with mechanical advantage, used to pull the boom down, flattening the sail.
Vang
A line used to stabilize the boom.
Vanishing Angle
The maximum degree of heel after which a vessel becomes unable to return to an upright position.
Veer
To change directions suddenly. To change direction clockwise.
Ventilator
Construction designed to lead air below decks. May have a cowl, which can be angled into or away from the wind; and may be constructed with baffles, so that water is not allowed below, as in Dorade ventilator.
Vessel
Any kind of boat, ship or yacht.
W
Wake
Moving waves, track or path that a boat leaves behind it, when moving across the waters.
Warp
Heavier lines (rope or wire) used for mooring, anchoring and towing. May also be used to indicate moving (warping) a boat into position by pulling on a warp.
Waterline
A line painted on a hull which shows the point to which a boat sinks when it is properly trimmed (see BOOT TOP).
Way
Movement of a vessel through the water such as headway, sternway or leeway.
Wheel
device used for steering a boat.
Widow-maker
a term for the bowsprit (many sailors lost their lives falling off the bowsprit while tending sails).
Whisker Pole
A short spar, normally kept stowed, which may be used to push the clew of a jib away from the boat when the boat is running downwind.
Window
A transparent portion of a jib or mainsail.
Windward
Toward the direction from which the wind is coming.
Wishbone
A boom composed of two separate curved pieces, one on either side of the sail. With this rig, sails are usually self tending and loose-footed.
Y
Yacht
A pleasure vessel, a pleasure boat; in American usage the idea of size and luxury is conveyed, either sail or power.
Yankee
a fore-sail flying above and forward of the jib, usually seen on bowsprit vessels.
Yard
A rod or spar fastened across a mast to support a sail.
Yaw
To swing or steer off course, as when running with a quartering sea.
Yawl
Boat: smaller powered boat used to provide steerage-way when not under sail. Rig: two masts, aft one is smaller (shorter) and located astern of rudder post.
