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Sailing > Basic Terminology > Flashcards

Basic Terminology Flashcards

0
Q

Anemometer

A

An instrument that measures wind speed.

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1
Q

Aft

A

Towards, at or near the stern.

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2
Q

Anitcyclone

A

Area of relatively heavy, sinking air that results in
high pressure.

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3
Q

Apparent wind

A

The combination of true wind (that which we feel when stationary) plus the wind produced by motion.

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4
Q

Astern

A

(1) Backward. (2) Outside and behind the stern of the boat.

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5
Q

Backing the jib

A

To sheet the jib to windward.

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6
Q

Backstay

A

Wire leading from the masthead to the stern.

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7
Q

Balanced helm

A

When a boat has a balanced helm, if you let go of the tiller, it will continue on a straight course. See weather helm and lee helm.

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8
Q

Batten

A

A light wooden, fiberglass, or plastic strip that slots into a pocket sewn into the aft edge (leech) of a sail.

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9
Q

Beam reach

A

Sailing with the wind blowing directly over the side of the boat.

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10
Q

Bearing

A

The direction of an object from your boat, or between two objects, measured in degrees relative to north. See heading.

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11
Q

Bearing away

A

Turning the boat away from the wind; opposite of luffing (or luffing up).

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12
Q

Beating

A

To sail to windward close-hauled, and zigzagging to reach an objective to windward.

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13
Q

Beaufort Scale

A

A descriptive scale used for measuring wind strengths.

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14
Q

Berth

A

(1) A place to park alongside a quay or pontoon, or in a marina. (2) A bed in the cabin.

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15
Q

Bight

A

(1) Bend in the shore making cove, bay, or inlet. (2) Bend in a rope.

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16
Q

Bilge

A

(1) The rounded parts of the hull where the sides curve inwards to form the bottom.
(2) The area where water collects inside the boat.

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17
Q

Binnacle

A

A pedestal in which a compass is fitted and on which the wheel is usually mounted.

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18
Q

Boathook

A

Pole with hook used to pick up mooring buoy or ring when mooring or berthing.

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19
Q

Boom

A

A horizontal spar or pole, used to extend the foot of a sail and to help control the sail’s angle
in relation to the wind.

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20
Q

Boom vang

A

(or kicking strap) A tackle or strut that prevents the boom from rising under wind pressure in the mainsail.

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21
Q

Bow

A

The forward end of a boat; opposite of stern.

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22
Q

Bowline

A

(pronounced “bow-lynn”) A knot used to make a loop in the end of a rope or to tie
to a ring or post.

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23
Q

Bowsprit

A

A spar projecting from the bow of some boats, allowing sails to be secured further forward.

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24
Q

Breast rope

A

A mooring rope running at right angles to the boat, from bow or stern, sometimes used in addition to the four main warps to hold the boat alongside.

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25
Q

Broach

A

When a boat accidentally turns broadside to the waves.

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26
Q

Broad reach

A

Sailing with the wind coming over the port or starboard quarter of the boat.

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27
Q

Bruce

A

(anchor) Type of burying anchor.

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28
Q

Buoyage

A

A system of navigation marks used to identify hazards and safe channels.

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29
Q

Burgee

A

A small triangular flag flown from the top of a mast, serving to indicate apparent wind.

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30
Q

Cardinal marks

A

Forms of buoyage, used to indicate large or individual hazards in the water.

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31
Q

Chart datum

A

The level from which soundings (depths) and drying heights are measured.

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32
Q

Cleat

A

A wooden or metal fitting that is used to secure ropes.

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33
Q

Clew

A

The lower aft corner of a fore-and-aft sail.

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34
Q

Clew outhaul

A

The rope or wire that adjusts the position of the clew and the tension in the foot of the mainsail.

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35
Q

Close-hauled

A

Sailing as close to the wind as possible, with the sails pulled in tight.

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36
Q

Close reach

A

The point of sailing between close- hauled and a beam reach.

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37
Q

Clove hitch

A

A knot used for short-term mooring to a ring or post, or for hitching fenders to a rail.

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38
Q

Coachroof

A

The raised cabin roof in the middle of the boat.

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39
Q

Cockpit

A

The working area, usually towards the stern of a boat, from which the boat is steered.

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40
Q

Companionway

A

A ladder or steps leading down from the cockpit to
the cabin.

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41
Q

Compass north

A

The direction in which
a compass points.
If there is no local magnetic interference (see deviation), it will point to magnetic north.

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42
Q

Control line

A

A rope or line that adjusts a sail or part of the rig—such as the Cunningham.

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43
Q

Convection currents

A

Air currents formed due to the land heating up and cooling down.

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44
Q

Course made good

A

The course achieved after allowing for leeway and tidal set and drift.

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45
Q

Course steered

A

The course actually steered by the helmsman and read off from the compass.

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46
Q

Cringle

A

A metal or plastic eye sewn into a sail.

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47
Q

Crossing turn

A

The term used when one part of a rope crosses another.

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48
Q

Cunningham

A

A control line for adjusting tension in the luff of a mainsail or jib.

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49
Q

Danbuoy

A

A floating marker pole with flag that is attached to a lifebuoy to improve visibility.

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50
Q

Danforth (anchor)

A

Type of burying anchor.

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51
Q

Depression

A

An area of low pressure.

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52
Q

Depth sounder

A

A device to measure distance from the seabed to the instrument’s transducer.

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53
Q

Deviation

A

The difference between magnetic and compass north as a result of the effect of local magnetic fields on the boat’s compass. Deviation varies with the boat’s course, and is measured in degrees, east or west of magnetic north.

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54
Q

Dinghy

A

A small boat usually designed to be used by one or two people.

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55
Q

Dip-pole Jibe

A

Method of jibing a spinnaker on larger cruisers and cruiser-racers.

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56
Q

Direction

A

Measured clockwise as an angle relative to north. See heading and bearing.

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57
Q

Dimasting

A

When the mast breaks. See jury rig.

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58
Q

Displacement

A

The weight of the water displaced by a floating hull.

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59
Q

Downhaul

A

A rope for hauling down sails or for controlling a spar such as the spinnaker pole; opposite of uphaul.

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60
Q

Downwind (or Offwind)

A

All courses that are further away from the wind than a beam reach are known as downwind, or offwind, courses; opposite of upwind.

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61
Q

DR

A

DR Dead reckoning position. It is plotted on a chart by drawing the course steered from the last known position and measuring off the distance sailed according to the log. See also EP.

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62
Q

Drift

A

The strength of a tidal stream; the distance the stream will move a floating object in an hour.

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63
Q

Drogue

A

An object towed, usually over the stern of a boat as a way of reducing its speed in heavy weather.

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64
Q

Ebb Tide

A

When the tide is going out, between high and low water; opposite of flood tide.

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65
Q

Eddies

A

Circular current, the area of reversed current that forms behind a rock or headland in a current or tidal stream.

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66
Q

EP

A

Estimated position. A DR (dead reckoning) position plus tidal set and drift. EPs are plotted at regular intervals on a chart and compared with a fix to identify any errors in plotting.

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67
Q

EPIRB

A

Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon - Transmits distress signals to satellites that are part of the GMDSS.

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68
Q

Fairlead

A

A bolt, ring, or loop that guides a rope.

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69
Q

Fathom

A

An old unit of length for measuring water depth. One fathom is 6ft (1.8m).

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70
Q

Fender

A

A protector hung over the side between the boat and a pontoon or another vessel.

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71
Q

Fiddles

A

The raised lips on worktops in the cabin.

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72
Q

Figure Eight

A

A stopper knot, used to prevent a rope end running out through a block or fairlead.

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73
Q

Fin Keel

A

A single, central, fixed, ballasted keel.

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74
Q

Flogging

A

When a sail flaps noisily it is said to be flogging.

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75
Q

Flood Tide

A

The tide that is coming in; opposite of ebb tide.

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76
Q

Fluke

A

The barb or hook of an anchor.

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77
Q

Foot

A

The bottom edge of a sail.

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78
Q

Fore

A

At, near, or towards the bow.

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79
Q

Foredeck

A

The part of the deck nearest the bow.

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80
Q

Forestay

A

A wire that leads from the mast to the bow fitting. A headsail may
be attached to it.

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81
Q

Fortress (anchor)

A

A type of anchor made from aluminum, with fluke angles that can be adjusted to suit sand or mud bottoms.

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82
Q

Galley

A

A boat’s kitchen.

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83
Q

Gennaker

A

A sail that is a cross between a genoa and a spinnaker. Sometimes called a cruising chute.

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84
Q

Genoa

A

A large headsail that overlaps the mast and usually sweeps the deck with its foot. See jib.

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85
Q

Gimbals

A

Fittings that allow an object (such as a galley stove) to swing so as to remain upright when the boat heels.

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86
Q

GMDSS

A

Global Maritime Distress and Safety System - A set of standards to which modern radio sets, satellite communication systems, and
EPIRBs conform.

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87
Q

Goosewinging or Wing On Wing

A

Sailing directly downwind (running) with the mainsail set on one side and the headsail set on the other.

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88
Q

GPS

A

A global positioning system receiver that uses information from a network of satellites to determine and display a boat’s position accurately.

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89
Q

GRIB

A

Gridded binary data files; small files of weather information easily transmitted over the Internet.

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90
Q

Ground Track

A

The course followed, relative to the seabed. See water track.

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91
Q

GRP

A

Glass-reinforced plastic (fiberglass), from which many boat hulls are made.

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92
Q

Guardrails

A

Another term used for lifelines. See lifelines (1).

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93
Q

Gunwale

A

(pronounced “gunnel”) The top edge of the side of the hull.

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94
Q

Guy

A

A rope that controls the spinnaker on the windward side. It runs through the end of the spinnaker pole.

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95
Q

Halyard

A

A rope or wire that is used to hoist a sail, flag, or other signal.

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96
Q

Hank

A

A metal or plastic hook that is used to secure a sail to a stay.

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97
Q

Hatch

A

A cover over an opening on a deck.

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98
Q

Head

A

The top corner of a triangular sail, or the top edge of a four-sided sail.

99
Q

Heading

A

The direction in which you are steering the boat measured by a compass. See bearing.

100
Q

Heads

A

Sea toilet or the compartment that contains the toilet and washing facilities.

101
Q

Headsail

A

A sail set on the forestay; a jib.

102
Q

Head to Wind

A

The point at which the boat is heading straight into the wind with the
sails luffing.

103
Q

Heaving-to

A

Bringing a boat to a halt, usually by sheeting the headsail to windward. After the event, a boat is described as “hove-to.”

104
Q

Heel

A

(1) When a boat tilts over to one side, it heels. (2) The heel of the mast is its bottom end.

105
Q

Helmsman

A

The person who steers the boat.

106
Q

Hoist

A

To raise a sail or flag.

107
Q

Horn cleat

A

A metal, wooden, or plastic cleat with two horns around which the rope is wrapped to create sufficient friction to hold the rope fast.

108
Q

Hull

A

The main body of the boat.

109
Q

IALA

A

International Association of Lighthouse Authorities, which organizes buoyage.

110
Q

In-Irons

A

Stuck head-to- wind with sails flapping and no steerage.

111
Q

Inversion

A

(1) Weather— when warm air lays on top of cold air. (2) Boat—capsizing so mast points vertically down.

112
Q

ISAF

A

International Sailing Federation—the international governing body of sailing.

113
Q

Isobars

A

Lines on weather maps that connect points of equal pressure.

114
Q

Jackstays

A

Lengths of webbing or wire that run the length of both sidedecks, to which the crew attach their lifelines when working on deck.

115
Q

Jib

A

A triangular headsail (a sail set in front of the forward mast).

116
Q

Jib Sheets

A

Ropes used to trim (or “sheet”) the jib.

117
Q

Jibing

A

Turning the stern of the boat through the wind. See tacking.

118
Q

Jury Rig

A

A makeshift rig that you construct to get you to safety following
a dismasting.

119
Q

Katabatic Winds

A

Sinking currents of cold air that run down the slopes of mountains.

120
Q

Kedge Anchor

A

A lighter anchor than the main (or bower) anchor.

121
Q

Keel

A

The lowest part of a sailing boat, used to resist sideways drift (leeway).

122
Q

Kicking Strap

A

See boom vang.

123
Q

Knot

A

The unit of speed at sea, defined as one nautical mile per hour.

124
Q

Latitude

A

The angular distance north or south of the equator. The lines
of latitude are the grid lines on a map or chart running east to west, and parallel to the equator. See longitude.

125
Q

Lazy Guy

A

A leeward guy left slack (not in use) when using a spinnaker.

126
Q

Lazyjacks

A

Restraining lines rigged from the mast to the boom to retain the mainsail when it is lowered and stowed on the boom.

127
Q

Leeboards

A

(lee-cloths) Wooden boards (or canvas cloths) fitted along the inboard
edge of a sea berth, to prevent the occupant from being thrown
out of the berth in rough conditions.

128
Q

Leech

A

The aft edge of a sail.

129
Q

Lee Helm

A

If a boat turns to leeward when you let go of the tiller or wheel, it has lee helm. See weather helm and balanced helm.

130
Q

Lee Shore

A

A shore onto which the wind is blowing; opposite of weather shore.

131
Q

Leeward

A

Away from the wind; opposite of windward.

132
Q

Lifelines

A

(1) Safety rails or wires fitted around the deck edge, supported by stanchions. (2) The line or strap of a safety harness that is attached to a jackstay, rail, or other strong point on deck.

133
Q

Longitude

A

The angular distance west or east of the Greenwich meridian. The lines of longitude are the grid lines on a map or chart running north to south. See latitude.

134
Q

Luff

A

(1) The forward edge of a triangular sail. (2) A sail luffs, or is luffing, when its luff shakes due to the sail not being pulled in sufficiently. (3) To turn towards the wind.

135
Q

Luffing

A

(1) When a boat is turned towards the wind (also known as luffing up). (2) When the luff of a sail shakes or flaps.

136
Q

Lying A-hull

A

Drifting with all sail stowed.

137
Q

Magnetic North

A

The direction to which a magnetic compass points. Magnetic north differs from true north and moves over time.

138
Q

Magnetic Variation

A

The angular difference between magnetic north and true north, which alters year by year as the magnetic poles move.

139
Q

Mainsail

A

(pronounced mains’l) The principal fore-and-aft sail.

140
Q

Mainsheet

A

The rope attached to the boom and used to trim (or adjust) the mainsail.

141
Q

Marlinspike

A

A pointed tool used to loosen knots and assist in splicing rope.

142
Q

Mast

A

A vertical pole to which sails are attached.

143
Q

MAYDAY

A

This is an internationally recognized radio distress signal for use when you are in grave or imminent danger. It takes priority over any other kind of message. See PAN PAN.

144
Q

Mean Direction

A

The term used to describe the average wind direction.

145
Q

Meridian

A

A line of longitude that runs from north to south poles.

146
Q

Mooring

A

A permanent arrangement of anchors and cables, to which a boat can be secured.

147
Q

Multihull

A

A boat with more than one hull. A catamaran or a trimaran.

148
Q

Nautical Mile

A

The unit of distance at sea, defined as one minute (1’) of latitude. It is standardized to 6,076ft (1,852m).

149
Q

Navigation Lights

A

Lights shown by a boat that indicate relative course, position, and status such as sailing, fishing, or towing.

150
Q

Neap Tides

A

Tides with the smallest range between high and low water; opposite of spring tides.

151
Q

No-sail zone

A

Since boats cannot sail directly into the wind, there is a no-sail zone on either side of the direction of true wind. The closest that most boats can achieve is an angle of 45° on either side.

152
Q

Occluded

A

When a cold front overtakes a warm front, the front becomes occluded.

153
Q

Offshore wind

A

A wind that blows off the land.

154
Q

Offwind

A

See downwind.

155
Q

Onshore wind

A

A wind blowing onto the land.

156
Q

Outboard engine

A

An engine mounted externally on a boat.

157
Q

Outhaul

A

A rope, such as the mainsail clew outhaul, which adjusts the tension in the foot.

158
Q

Overfalls

A

Rough water caused by the tide pouring over a rough or precipitous seabed.

159
Q

Painter

A

A mooring rope attached to the bow of a small boat.

160
Q

PAN PAN

A

This is an internationally recognized distress signal that takes priority over all except a MAYDAY message.

161
Q

Passage

A

A journey between two ports.

162
Q

Pile moorings

A

Wooden or metal stakes (piles) driven into the sea bed, to which mooring warps are tied.

163
Q

Pilotage

A

Navigation by eye, compass, and chart, when in sight of land.

164
Q

Pinching

A

Sailing too close to the wind inside the no-sail zone.

165
Q

Plotter

A

A device for plotting a course on a paper chart.

166
Q

Plow

A

(anchor) Type of burying anchor.

167
Q

Point of sailing

A

The direction in which a boat is being sailed, described in relation
to its angle to the wind.

168
Q

Pontoon

A

A floating platform to which boats can be moored.

169
Q

Port

A

The left-hand side of a boat, when looking forward.

170
Q

Port tack

A

A boat is on port tack when the wind is blowing over the port side and the boom is out to starboard. See starboard tack.

171
Q

Prop walk

A

The effect of a turning propeller, which pushes the stern of the boat sideways in the same direction in which the propeller rotates.

172
Q

Pulpit

A

An elevated and rigid metal rail around the bow of a boat.

173
Q

Pushpit

A

An elevated and rigid metal rail around the stern of a boat.

174
Q

Reaching

A

Sailing with the wind roughly at right angles to the fore and aft line of the boat. See beam reach and broad reach.

175
Q

Reef

A

To reduce sail area when the wind becomes too strong to sail comfortably under full sail.

176
Q

Reef knot

A

A knot that is used for tying the ends of rope of equal diameter, as when putting in a reef.

177
Q

Reef points

A

Lines sewn to the sail to tie up the loose fold in a reefed sail.

178
Q

Rigging

A

The system of wires and ropes used to keep the mast in place and work the sails.

179
Q

Roller furling

A

This is a mechanical system to roll up a headsail or mainsail.

180
Q

Roller reefing

A

This is a mechanical system to reef a headsail or mainsail.

181
Q

Round turn

A

A complete turn of a rope or line around an object.

182
Q

Rowlocks

A

(pronounced “rollocks”) U-shaped fittings that support the oars and act as a pivot when rowing.

183
Q

Rudder

A

A movable underwater blade that is used to steer the boat, controlled by a tiller or wheel.

184
Q

Run/running

A

Sailing directly downwind (that is, with the wind right behind you, or nearly so) on either a port or starboard tack.

185
Q

Safe track

A

The course you follow through constricted water.

186
Q

Seacock

A

A valve that can be shut to close a through-hull fitting.

187
Q

Seizing

A

Binding two lines together, or a rope to a spar, or a loop in a rope.

188
Q

Sheet

A

Rope attached to the clew of a sail, or to a boom, used to trim (adjust) the sail.

189
Q

Sheet bend

A

A knot used to join two ropes.

190
Q

Shrouds

A

The wire ropes on either side of the mast that support it sideways.

191
Q

Side deck

A

The deck at the side of the boat.

192
Q

Skeg

A

A projecting part of the hull that supports the rudder.

193
Q

Slip line

A

A doubled line with both ends made fast on the boat so that it can be released and pulled from on board.

194
Q

Slot

A

The gap between the luff of the mainsail and the leech of the headsail.

195
Q

Spade

A

(anchor) Type of burying anchor.

196
Q

Spinnaker

A

A large, light, downwind sail set from a spinnaker pole.

197
Q

Spinnaker pole

A

A pole used to extend the spinnaker tack away from the boat.

198
Q

Splicing

A

Joining two lines, or creating a loop in one, by interweaving the strands of rope.

199
Q

Spreaders

A

Small poles extending outwards from one or more places on the mast. Shrouds run through the outer ends.

200
Q

Springs

A

Mooring warps to help prevent the boat from moving ahead or astern when moored.

201
Q

Spring tides

A

Tides that have the largest range between high and low tides. See also neap tides.

202
Q

Stanchion

A

An upright post used to support the guardrails.

203
Q

Standing part

A

The part of a rope that is not being used to tie a knot.

204
Q

Starboard

A

The right- hand side of a boat, when looking forward.

205
Q

Starboard tack

A

The course of a boat when the wind is blowing over a boat’s starboard side and the boom is out to port. See port tack.

206
Q

Steerage way

A

Having enough speed through the water so that the rudder can be used to steer.

207
Q

Stern

A

The rear or after part of a vessel; opposite of bow.

208
Q

Storm jib

A

A small, strong headsail used in very strong winds.

209
Q

Tack

A

(1) The forward lower corner of a fore-and-aft sail. (2) Under sail, a boat is either on starboard tack or port tack. See tacking.

210
Q

Tacking

A

Turning the bow of the boat through the wind. See jibing.

211
Q

Tackle

A

An arrangement of a line led through two or more blocks to move objects or handle heavy loads.

212
Q

Tender

A

A small boat used to ferry people and provisions to and from a larger boat.

213
Q

Tidal atlas

A

Small charts showing tidal stream directions and rate of flow.

214
Q

Tidal drift

A

The strength of a tidal stream.

215
Q

Tidal range

A

The difference between a tide’s high and low water levels.

216
Q

Tidal set

A

The strength or speed of a tidal stream.

217
Q

Tidal stream

A

A flow of water caused by the rise and fall of the tide.

218
Q

Tide

A

The regular rise and fall of the sea’s surface.

219
Q

Tide tables

A

A record of the times and heights of high and low water for every day of the year.

220
Q

Tiller

A

A rod by which the rudder is controlled, for steering.

221
Q

Topping lift

A

A rope running from the masthead to the boom end used to support the boom when the mainsail is not hoisted.

222
Q

Transit

A

Two prominent marks that can be aligned to determine that a boat lies on a certain line.

223
Q

Traveler

A

A slide that travels along a track, used for altering sheet angles.

224
Q

Trim

A

To let out or pull in a sheet to adjust a sail.

225
Q

True north

A

The direction of the True North Pole. See also magnetic north and compass north.

226
Q

True wind

A

The speed and direction of the wind you feel when stationary. See also apparent wind.

227
Q

Trysail

A

A small, strong replacement for a cruiser’s mainsail that is used in severe weather.

228
Q

Uphaul

A

A rope for adjusting the height of the spinnaker pole; opposite of downhaul.

229
Q

Upwind

A

All courses that are closer to the wind (heading more directly into it) than a beam reach are called upwind courses; opposite of offwind or downwind.

230
Q

Vector

A

A line drawn to indicate both the direction and magnitude of a force, such as a tidal stream.

231
Q

VHF

A

(very high frequency) A common radio system used on boats.

232
Q

Wake

A

Waves generated astern by a moving vessel.

233
Q

Warp

A

Any rope used to secure or move a boat.

234
Q

Watch

A

(1) A division of crew into shifts. (2) The time each watch has duty.

235
Q

Water track

A

The course to steer through the water to achieve a ground track after allowing for the effects of any tidal stream.

236
Q

Waypoints

A

Important points along your route that are often programmed into GPS or chartplotter systems.

237
Q

Weather helm

A

If the boat, under sail, turns to windward when you let go of the tiller, it has weather helm. See lee helm and balanced helm.

238
Q

Weather shore

A

When the wind blows off the land, the shore is called a weather shore; opposite of lee shore. See also offshore wind.

239
Q

Whipping

A

To bind the ends of a rope with thin cord (whipping twine) to prevent it unraveling.

240
Q

Winch

A

A device to provide mechanical advantage for pulling in sheets and halyards.

241
Q

Windage

A

The drag caused by the parts of the boat exposed to the wind.

242
Q

Windlass

A

A mechanical device used to pull in a cable or chain, such as an anchor rode.

243
Q

Windward

A

Toward the wind; opposite of leeward.

244
Q

Working end

A

The part of a rope used for tying a knot.

Sailing (1 decks)

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