Glossary

About: To change the course of a ship by tacking.

Aft: At, near, or toward the stern of a boat.

Apparent Wind Direction, or AWD: The direction of the wind in relation to your boat while it’s underway.

Apparent Wind Speed, or AWS: The wind affecting the boat while in motion.

Arch: A steel structure on the back of a boat, often used to mount items like antennas, radars, solar panels, wind generators, etc.

AWA – Apparent Wind Angle: The angle to wind while you are underway.

Backstay/Aft stay: The wires that run from the aft deck to the top of the mast.

Barometer: An instrument used to measure atmospheric pressure.

Battens: Slates or tubes inserted in pockets on the mainsail to keep its shape.

Beam: The widest part of the boat.

Beam reach: Sailing with the true wind coming across the bow at a right angle.

Bearing: The angle between the observer’s position and north, or the angle between the observer’s position and a distant object. Measured in degrees.

Berth: A place in the boat for sleeping.

Bilge: The lowest point within the hull where water collects.

Bilge pump: A pump to empty the bilge.

Bimini: An enclosure made of canvas or hard materials that protects the cockpit from the elements.

Binnacle: A case or stand on the deck of a ship, usually mounted in front of the helm, where navigational instruments are placed for easy and quick access.

Block: A pulley used to change the direction of a pull on a line or rope and give a mechanical advantage.

Boat hook: A long stick with a hook at the end. It has many purposes….

Boom: The horizontal spar that extends out from the mast, and is attached to the foot of a sail.

Boom preventer: A line tied to the end of the boom and led forward of the mast to prevent it from swinging over when sailing off the wind.

Boom vang: A set of blocks and lines, or an adjustable pole, used to exert downward force on the boom.

Bow: The front of a boat.

Broad reach: When bearing away from 90 degrees to around 135 degrees. The true wind is coming from behind, but not directly behind.

Bulkhead: A wall inside the boat that may or may not support the structure.

Buoy: A floating device anchored in a body of water.

Cabin: A room.

Captain: The captain is the leader of the crew, responsible for navigating the vessel, monitoring the weather and sea conditions, and making decisions on the direction and course. The captain is also responsible for the safety of the crew and the vessel. In addition, the captain delegates tasks to other crew members, and ensures everyone is following the protocols.

Cars: Pulleys or blocks that slide along a track on the side deck. The headsail sheets run through and are used to adjust the position of the sail.

Chainplate: A metal plate used to fasten a shroud or stay to the hull.

Chart: A map designed for marine navigation. It features water depths, shoreline features, navigational aids, and potential hazards.

Chart plotter: A navigation tool that combines a GPS and an optical device to show your exact position on a map and the structures around you.

Clew: The lower aft corner where the foot (bottom edge) and leech (outer edge) meet.

Close reach: Sailing with the true wind coming across the bow between 50 and 80 degrees.

Close-hauled: Sailing as close to the wind as possible, with the true wind coming across the bow between 35 and 50 degrees.

Clutch: A device that uses a toothed cam controlled by a handle to lock a medium-load line in place. When the handle is down, the cam is engaged and the toothed plate keeps the line in place.

Cockpit: Where all the controls are!

Code Zero: A cross between a Genoa and a Gennaker, used for sailing close to the wind in light air.

COG: Course Over Ground, the direction your boat is moving towards.

Companionway: The steps that lead from the cockpit to the cabin.

Compass: A navigational instrument that shows the direction relative to the cardinal directions, it is an essential instrument for maintaining bearings and navigation.

Course: The intended direction of travel, expressed in degrees from true or magnetic north.

Current: The movement of water in a general direction.

Dead reckoning: A method of calculating one’s current position based on a previously known position, or fix, and advancing that position based upon known or estimated speeds over elapsed time, and course.

Deck: The top part of the hull, the primary working surface.

Deckhand: The deckhand is responsible for maintaining the cleanliness and sanitation of the boat, monitoring the safety of the crew, and monitoring the usage of fuel, water, and other necessary supplies.

Deg: Degrees

Dinette: The area where you dine.

Downhaul: Lines used to lower. May be used to lower the mainsail when reefing or lower the spinnaker and whisker poles.

Fenders: The rubber bumper things that hang off the side of the boat to protect the hull.

First Mate: The first mate is the second-in-command and assists the captain in all duties. The first mate is responsible for maintenance checks before and during the voyage, monitoring the safety of the crew, and checking that the right safety equipment like life jackets and floatation devices are available on board.

Fix: Refers to a specific point in time when the position of the boat is determined.

Foot (of a sail): The bottom part of the sail between the clew and the tack.

Fore: At, near, or toward the bow of a boat.

Forestay: A wire that runs from the bow to the top of the mast. Some boats may have several forestays in different configurations.

Freeboard: The section of hull between the waterline and the deck.

Front: A boundary separating two air masses of different temperatures and humidity levels. They are associated with changes in weather conditions and can cause sudden wind shifts and varying wind strengths.

Furling system: A mechanism that allows you to roll up the sail or unfurl it. It features a drum or spool for storing the sail and a furling line to pull it out.

Galley: The kitchen of a boat.

Gennaker: A cross between the Genoa and Spinnaker, an asymmetrical sail that is optimal on a beam reach and is used primarily on racing boats to bridge the gap between a genoa and a spinnaker.

Genoa: A headsail that extends past the mast and overlaps the mainsail.

Gooseneck: A fitting that connects the boom to the mast and allows it to move horizontally and vertically.

Ground tackle: The set of items that holds your boat to the ground. Consists of the anchor, anchor chain, the link between the two, and the connection between the chain and the boat.

Gust: A sudden, brief increase in wind speed, often accompanied by a change in direction.

Halyard: The line used to hoist and lower the sail.

HDG: Heading, the direction your boat is pointing towards.

Head Sail Trimmers: This crew role is for two members, one who will cut release the sail when going through the tack while the other pulls in the full sail. The trimmers are in charge of trimming the spinnaker sail and guy when going downwind.

Head: The bathroom.

Head (of a sail): The top corner of a sail.

Heading: The direction a vessel is pointed at any given moment.

Headsail: The sail(s) in front of the mast. Headsails come in different shapes and sizes (for different purposes and conditions). Some boats have more than one headsail.

Heeling: When the wind fills the sails and leans the boat over to the side.

Helm: The tiller or wheel, along with any associated equipment, used for steering. It is attached to the rudder and controls the direction of the boat.

High-pressure system: An area of relatively high atmospheric pressure, characterized by sinking air and typically associated with calm, clear weather.

Hull: This is the body or structure of the boat that provides floatation.

In irons: When the bow of the boat is headed directly into the wind.

In-boom furling: A furling system that rolls the mainsail in and out of the boom.

In-mast furling: A furling system that rolls the mainsail in and out of the mast.

Jammer: A device similar to a clutch, used to lock a high-load line in place.

Jib: A headsail that does not overlap the mainsail.

Jibe: A maneuver by which a sailboat turns its stern toward and through the wind so that the direction from which the wind blows changes from one side of the boat to the other.

Keel: A vertical blade (or beam?) that runs down the length of the hull. It is very heavy so it acts as a ballast and prevents it from tipping over. The keel also provides sideways resistance to counter the force of the wind on the sails.

Knots (Kt): A unit of speed, approximately 1.15 miles per hour.

Latitude: A geographic coordinate that specifies a location north or south of the equator, measured in degrees, minutes, and seconds.

Lazy jacks: A set of lines that run from the stack pack up to the mast, that guides the mainsail up and down and prevents it from spilling out onto the deck.

Leech: The aft edge of the sail between the clew and head.

Leeward: The direction away from which the wind is blowing. Also used to describe the side of the boat that is sheltered from the wind.

Lifeline: A wire supported on stanchions around the perimeter of the deck to prevent crew from falling overboard.

Line: The ropes and cables used to position and shape the sails.

Longitude: A geographic coordinate that specifies a location east or west of the Prime Meridian, measured in degrees, minutes, and seconds.

Low-pressure system: An area of relatively low atmospheric pressure, characterized by rising air and typically associated with clouds, precipitation, and potentially stormy conditions.

Luff: The forward edge of sail, the part that is first exposed to the wind and is usually where the sail begins to flap or “luff” when the airflow over the sail’s surface is disrupted.

Mainsail: The sail behind the mast and on top of the boom.

Mainsheet Traveler: A horizontal track attached to the mainsheet that is used to adjust the boom from side-to-side or lock it in position.

Mast: The tall spar (pole) that holds up the sails.

Masthead: The tippy top of the mast.

Midship: The center of the boat.

Mizzen sail: A small triangular sail set on the aft mast of a boat with several masts, like the ketch rig.

Nav station: A chart table and a console with instruments like radios, chart plotters, and radar screens.

Navigator: On larger vessels, there may be a navigator who is responsible for charting the course and making sure the vessel stays on track.

NM: Nautical miles

Outboard: An outboard engine.

Outhaul: The outhaul is attached to the clew (the outside bottom) of the mainsail and is used to adjust the tension.

Overpowered: When wind overpowers the boat making it difficult to steer.

Points of Sail: A sailboat’s direction of travel in relation to the true wind direction while it’s underway (into the wind – the “no-go zone” or “in irons,” close-hauled, beam reach, broad reach, and running downwind).

Port: When facing the bow (front), refers to the left side of the boat.

Port tack: When the wind is blowing on the port side of your sails

Pulpit: The guardrail on the bow of the boat.

Pushpit: The guard rail around the stern of the boat.

Ready about: The order to prepare for tacking.

Reef lines: Lines used to reduce the sail area of the mainsail.

Rudder: A hinged fin or blade mounted on the stern of the vessel that turns side-to-side and is controlled by a tiller or a helm. It steers the boat.

Running: Sailing downwind.

Running rigging: The movable elements of rigging that adjust the position and shape of the sails.

Saloon: The living room.

Settee: The couch.

Shaking a reef: The process of restoring the full sail area after it has been reefed.

Sheets: The lines used to control a sail.

Shrouds: Rigging used to support the mast from sideways motion.

Skipper: The skipper is responsible for the safety of the yacht and the crew’s welfare. They ensure that the boat is ready for sailing, all members of the crew are accounted for, and that food and fuel are sufficient. The skipper is also in charge of keeping communications open onboard and helping other crew members if needed.

SOG: Speed over Ground, usually measured by GPS.

SOW: Speed over Water, usually measured by the boat’s speed log transducer.

Spar: A pole made of a solid material like wood or metal used to support the sails, such as the mast, boom, spreaders, etc.

Spinnaker: A symmetric light wind sail used to sail off the wind at deep angles between 120 and 180 degrees.

Spinnaker pole: A spar used to help support and control a variety of headsails, particularly the spinnaker.

Sprayhood: The windshield of the boat that protects the cockpit from sea spray.

Spreader: Spars that hold the shrouds out from the mast.

Squall: A sudden, strong wind that typically lasts for a short period and is often associated with rapidly changing weather conditions, such as thunderstorms or cold fronts.

Stack pack: A bag attached to the boom where the mainsail is stored when it’s not in use.

Standing rigging: The fixed lines, wires, or rods that support the mast(s).

Starboard tack: When the wind is blowing on the starboard side of your sails

Starboard: When facing the bow (front), refers to the right side.

Staysail: The sail set on the inner forestay, usually found on a cutter rig.

Stern: The rear of a boat.

Storm sail: A small, strong sail used in heavy weather, it is a fraction of the size of a typical mainsail. Use a storm sail when you can’t reef your mainsail any further!

Tack (of a sail): The lower, windward corner of a sail, where the luff (the forward edge) and foot (the bottom edge) connect. On a mainsail, it is located where the boom and mast connect.

Tacking: A maneuver by which a sailboat turns its bow toward and through the wind so that the direction from which the wind blows changes from one side of the boat to the other.

Tactician: The tactician’s role is to get the boat around the racecourse as fast as possible. They take into account the wind, tide, and other competitors, as well as the crew’s ability. They also make sure that the boat is on the correct course.

Telltales: Threads or yarn or small flags attached to the sail to give an indication of the airflow around the sail.

Tide: The regular rise and fall of sea levels caused by the gravitational forces exerted by the moon.

Topping lift: A line runs up through the mast, out the masthead, and back down to the end of the boom. It is used to lift and hold the boom.

Transom: The flat surface across the stern (back) of the boat.

True Wind Angle, or TWA: The angle between the boat’s heading and wind direction.

True Wind Direction, or TWD: The direction from which the wind is blowing.

True Wind Speed, or TWS: The actual wind speed affecting you at a point when you are standing still.

Turnbuckle: The adjustable fittings that connect the shrouds to the chainplate on the deck.

V-berth: The bed in the front cabin that is shaped like a V.

VHF radio: Very high-frequency radio that broadcasts on the VHF network.

Waterline: Where the hull meets the water.

Waypoint: A specific location, defined by its latitude and longitude, that serves as a reference point for navigation.

Whisker pole: Similar to a spinnaker pole, but typically built lighter and attached to a track on the mast.

Winch: A metal drum (a winding device) that gives you a mechanical advantage when tightening lines.

Windlass: The winch that hoists or lowers the anchor and chain.

Windward: The direction from which the wind is blowing. Also used to describe the side of a boat facing the wind.

Yankee: Similar to a Genoa or Jib sail, but has a high-cut clew and is often used on cutter-rigged boats together with a staysail.