Terminology Flashcards
abeam
directly to the side of the boat
about
on the opposite tack
aft
at or near the stern
alee
to the leeward side
aloft
above the deck
apparent wind
the direction and speed of the wind felt by the crew; combination of the true wind and that created by the motion of the boat
astern
behind the boat
backstay
any single wire supporting the mast from the stern
beam
measurement of the width of a boat
beam reach
sailing with the wind coming across the boat’s beam
beam wind
a wind at right angles to a boat’s course
bear away
to steer the boat away from the wind
beat
sailing against the wind by tacking (sailing a zigzag course towards the wind)
beating to windward
to sail to windward close-hauled, tacking as you go, to reach an objective to windward
bow
the forward part of a boat
broach
turn sideways to wind and the surf
broad reach
the point of sailing between a beam reach and a run, when the wind blows over the quarter
center of effort (COE)
the point at which all the forces acting on the sails are concentrated
center of lateral resistance (CLR)
the underwater center of pressure about which a boat pivots when changing course
centerboard
retractable keel to stop a boat’s leeward drift
close-hauled
sailing close to the wind with sails pulled in
close reach
the point of sailing between close-hauled and a beam reach, when the wind blows forward of the beam
come about
to change course so as to be sailing at the same angle but with the wind on the other side
course
the direction in which a vessel is steered, usually given in degrees
daggerboard
centerboard that does not pivot
eye of the wind
direction from which the true wind is blowing
falling off
turn away from the direction of the wind
foot
a sail’s lower edge
fore
at or toward the boat’s bow
fore-and-aft
lengthwise, in the direction of the keel
foremast
mast nearest to the bow
forestay
the foremost stay, running from the masthead to the bow