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Glossary of Sailing Terms

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ABAFT:

further aft: "abaft the beam," for example, is aft of the beam.

ABEAM:

off the side of a boat at an angle of 90 degrees to the direction of the boat.

AFT:

in the direction of the stern.

AHEAD:

in the direction of the vessel's bow.

ALEE:

away from the direction of the wind.

AMIDSHIPS:

at the center of a vessel, in either length of width. "Rudder amidships," is a term meaning that the rudder is centered and is not turning the boat. "Go amidships," is a term meaning to go to the center of the boat.

ANCHOR:

an iron or steel device designed to hold a vessel when dropped to the bottom of the seabed under the boat.

ANCHORAGE:

a suitable place for dropping anchor.

APPARENT WIND:

the wind speed and direction as seen by an observer who is moving; wind relative to the moving boat.

ASTERN:

in the direction of the vessel's stern.

AVAST:

immediately stop executing the last command and hold what you have. Do not belay until directed. Used only when continuing will endanger gear or personnel. The normal command would be, "That's well."

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BACK EASY:

slowly ease the line, either to check a stopper or to take turns on or off a belaying pin.

BACKSTAY:

a wire-rope mast support leading aft from the top of a mast to the deck or to another mast.

BACKWINDING THE JIB:

pulling the jib from the windward sheet to slow the boat or help it to turn more sharply. Sometimes tacking in light winds will leave the ship in irons ; delaying letting go of the jib will cause it to backwind and aid in turning the boat through the eye of the wind.

BAGPIPE:

backing the mizzen by hauling it amidships and then to windward using a weather preventer, to create a greater turning moment. Sometimes used when tacking in light air.

BALLAST:

heavy weight placed at or near the bottom of a sailboat to provide stability.

BALOON JIB:

a large jib with a draft deeper than that of a genoa jib; used for reaching in light winds.

BARE POLES:

no sails set, as in "running under bare poles" in a gale.

BAROMETER:

an instrument that measures atmospheric pressure.

BATTENS:

thin, rigid strips that fit into pockets along the after edge of a sail; battens help to hold the shape of a sail.

BATTEN POCKET:

a pocket sewn into the edge of a sail to allow a batten to be attached.

BEAM:

the greatest width of a vessel, usually amidships.

BEAM WIND:

a wind blowing at right angles to the for-and-aft centerline of a vessel.

BEARING:

the direction of an object from a vessel relative to the vessel's heading, or by compass.

BEARING AWAY:

turning the bow of the boat away from the eye of the wind. Also referred to as bearing off or falling off.

BEAR OFF or BEARING OFF:

changing course away from the wind; same as falling off.

BEAT:

to sail to windward by alternate tacks.

BEFORE THE WIND:

sailing with the wind astern, that is, with the wind coming from directly behind the vessel; see running.

BELAY:

secure a line to a belaying pin, cleat, or other point established for this purpose.

BEND:

to fasten a sail to the boom and mast; also to fasten one rope to another.

BILGE:

the portion of the inside hull below the floorboards.

BLOCK:

a pulley through which line or wire passes on a boat.

BOLT ROPE:

a rope sewn into the luff and sometime the foot of a sail, so that it may be attached to the spars.

BOOM:

spar at the bottom of a mainsail or mizzensail.

BOOM CRUTCH:

a support that holds the booom off the deck when it is not in use.

BOOM VANG:

a rig attached to the boom to hold it down and thus to flatten the sail.

BOW:

the forward part of the hull of a vessel.

BOW CHOCKS:

metal fittings situated on either side of the bow that lead anchor or mooring lines inboard.

BOWLINE:

a knot used to form a loop at the end of a line.

BREAKWATER:

a sea wall that breaks the force of waves.

BRIDLE:

a span of rope to which the mainsheet, and sometimes the spinnaker pole, is attached.

BRIGHTWORK:

varnished woodwork and polished brass aboard a vessel.

BRISTOL FASHION:

in a seamanlike manner.

BROACH:

to swing around toward the wind when running free, thus placing the vessel broadside to wind and waves.

BROAD REACH:

a sailing course between beam reaching and running before the wind, with the wind coming from the aft quarter. Sailing at an angel of approximately 135 degrees to the wind.

BUOY:

a floating marker used for piloting; see can buoy and nun buoy.

BURDENED VESSEL:

a vessel required by law to stay clear of another vessel holding the right of way.

BY THE LEE:

running with the wind on the same side as the boom.

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CAM CLEAT:

a common typw of cleat with two spring-loaded jaws which hold the line.

CAN BUOY:

a black cylindrical buoy carrying an odd number that marks the left, or port side of a channel when a vessel is approaching from seaward.

CAPSIZE:

to overturn.

CAST OFF:

to release a line; in general, to let go all lines and leave a dock.

CATAMARAN:

a twin-hulled vessel.

CAT BOAT:

a sailboat laving one mast set well forward and no headsails.

CENTERBOARD:

a hinged plate housed in a trunk or well along the centerline of a sailboat, and lowered below the bottom of the hull to reduce leeway when sailing to windward.

CENTERBOARD TRUNK:

the housing for a centerboard when it is not lowered into place.

CHAIN PLATES:

metal straps bolted to the side of a vessel that secure the shrouds.

CHART:

a nautical map.

CHINE:

intersection of a hull's side and bottom.

CHOCK:

a metal fitting that leads lines over the side of a vessel.

CLEAR AWAY:

lay out a coil so that the line will run freely. Applies to halyards, weather jib sheets, main and mizzen sheets.

CLEAT:

a horn-shaped fitting used to secure a line.

CLEAT HALF-HITCH:

a knot used for securing a line to a cleat.

CLEW:

the aftermost corner of a fore-and-aft-rigged sail.

CLOSEHAULED:

sailing as close to the direction of the wind as efficiency permits.

CLOSE REACH:

a sailing course between beating and beam reaching, with the wind forward of the beam.

CLOVE HITCH:

two half hitches thrown around a spar or another rope.

COAMING:

raised raining around a cockpit to prevent water from running in.

COCKPIT:

opening at after end of a sailboat for passengers or feet.

COIL:

to lay a rope in a circular pattern.

COME UP INTO THE WIND:

steer the vessel toward the eye of the wind; see head up and luff up.

COMING ABOUT:

going from one tack to the other by passing the bow through the eye of the wind.

COMPASS COURSE:

a vessel's heading based on the vessel's compas.

COMPASS ROSE:

a graduated circle carrying the points of the compass and printed on a chart.

COURSE:

the heading of a vessel as measured by the compass.

CRINGLE:

ring sewn into a sail through which a line can be passes.

CUDDY:

a small shelter cabin forward of the cockpit on many sailboats.

CUNNINGHAM:

a type of downhaul that pulls through a reinforced hole in the bottom of the sail.

CURRENT:

the horizontal movement of water caused by tide, wind, or gravity.

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DAGGERBOARD:

a type of centerboard not hinged, but rather raised and lowered vertically in the trunk.

DECK:

the floor or horiaontal surface of a vessel.

DINGHY (DINK):

a small open boat.

DISPLACEMENT:

the weight of water displaced by a vessel, thus the vessel's own weight.

DOUSE:

to lower or drop, as in "douse the sails."

DOWNHAUL:

a line used to pull down the tack of a sail, putting the luff (forward edge) of the sail under increased tension.

DRAFT:

the "belly" or fullness of a sail; also the depth of water needed to float a vessel.

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EASE:

pay out slowly and with care; reduce strain on the line; to let out. . . as in ease a sheet.

EBB TIDE:

the tide during its passage from high to low water.

EVEN KEEL:

floating level in the water, not heeled over or listing.

EYE OF THE WIND:

the exact direction from which the wind is coming.

EYE SPLICE:

a loop spliced in the end of a rope.

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FAIRLEAD:

a fitting that guides or changes the direction of a line; usually used for jibsheets.

FALLING OFF:

changing course away from the wind.

FATHOM:

a unit of measure equal to six feet.

FENDER:

a cushion that prevents a boat's side from striking a dock or the side of another boat.

FIGURE EIGHT KNOW:

a knot tied in the end of a line to prevent it from running through a block.

FISHERMAN'S BEND:

a method for making the anchor line fast to the anchor.

FLOOD TIDE:

the tide during its passage from low to high water.

FLOORBOARDS:

planking on the bottom of the cockpit.

FLOATSAM:

floating debris.

FOGBOUND:

held in port or at anchor brcause of fog.

FOOT:

the bottom edge of a sail, which is along the boom.

FORE-AND-AFT:

in line or parallel with the keel.

FORESTAY:

the wire (cable) that supports the mast from the bow and prevents the top of the mast from moving aft.

FORWARD:

in front of, as in "forward of the beam."

FOUL:

snarl or tangled; the opposite of clear.

FOUND:

furnished; a vessel is said to be "well found" if it is well equipped.

FREEBOARD:

the distance from the top of the hull to the water.

FULL AND BY:

all sails full and drawing on a course as close to the wind as possible.

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GAFF:

a spar that supports the head of a fore-and-aft-rigged sail, as in "gaff-rigged" and "gaff-headed."

GENOA:

a large jib whose area overlaps the mainsail.

GHOSTING:

making headway when there is no apparent wind.

GOOSENECK:

the fitting that fastens the boom to the mast. It works like a swivel allowing the boom to move up and down and swing from side to side.

GROUND SWELL:

long waves coming from seaward.

GROUND TACKLE:

a term used to cover all anchor and mooring gear.

GUDGEON:

an eye fitting on the transom into which the rudder's pintle is inserted.

GUNWALE:

the rail of a vessel at deck level.

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HALF HITCH:

a turn around a spar or rope with the end coming through the bight (the bight is the portion of the rope between the ends).

HALYARDS:

lines used to hoist the sails.

HAND OVER HAND:

to haul on a line using one hand then the other, never losing contact or control of the line.

HANDSOMELY:

to execute a command deliberately and carefully but not necessarily slowly.

HANK ON:

to attach a jib or staysail to a stay.

HARD-A-LEE:

the final command in the tacking or coming-about sequence; it is given just before putting the tiller over hard to the side opposite the wind.

HAUL:

to pull on a line without the aid of machinery; also said of wind that has shifted toward the bow.

HEADSAILS:

all sails set forward of the foremast (the single mast on a sloop).

HEADSTAY:

a wire-rope mast support running from the top or near the top of the mast to the bow.

HEAD:

the top corner of a sail; also the toilet.

HEADER:

a change in wind direction so that the eye of the wind shifts more toward the bow of the boat; opposite of lift. A header for a boat on port tack is a lift for a boat on starboard tack.

HEAD UP:

to point the bow of athe vessel more nearly into the wind; see luff up.

HEADWAY:

motion ahead.

HEAVE:

to throw, as in "heave a line"; also the rise and fall of a vessel in a seaway.

HEAVE AROUND:

to haul on a line with the aid of machinery such as a capstan or winch.

HEEL:

to tip or list to one side.

HELM:

the tiller or wheel.

HELM'S A-LEE:

informational command to indicate that a tacking maneuver has begun: hard a-lee. Pushing the tiller toward the lee wind (away from the wind).

HIKE:

to climb to windward on a sailboat to prevent excessive heeling to leeward.

HIKING OUT:

leaning over the gunwhale of a boat in order to preven excessive heeling.

HITCH:

a method of making a rope fast to another object.

HULL:

the body of a vessel, not including spars and gear.

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IN IRONS:

the condition of a sailboat, head to wind with the sails luffing, with the bow not paying off on either tack; also called in stays.

INSHORE:

toward the shore.

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JETSAM:

articles that sink when thrown overboard.

JETTISON:

to throw overboard.

JIB:

a triangular sail set forward of the foremast (the single mast on a sloop).

JIB HALYARD:

a line or wire used to hoist the jib.

JIB FAIRLEAD:

an eye or fitting that conducts the jibsheet into the cockpit.

JIB HEADED:

a tall rig with triangular mainsail.

JIBE (OR GYBE):

to change a sailboat's course from one tack to the other with the wind aft.

JIBE HO:

informational command that indicates a jibing maneuver has begun.

JIBSHEET:

the line from the lower aft end of the jib to the cockpit; used to control the set of the jib.

JIBSTAY:

the forward stay, or forestay, to which the leading edge of the jib is attached.

JUMPER STRUT:

a strut placed aloft on the forward side of the mast for added support.

JURY RIG:

any makeshift rig.

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KEDGE:

a small anchor used for warping (pulling) a vessel forward.

KEDGING OUT:

to free a vessel aground or move away from a lee dock by hauling on a kedge anchor.

KEEL:

the fore-and-aft timber along the centerline of a vessel; on keel sailboats, the keel extends well below the rest of the hull and brovides weight stability and lateral resistance. It keeps the boat from skipping sideways through the water.

KETCH:

a two-masted sailboat having the aftermast forward of the rudder post.

KNOCKABOUT:

the correct (although rarely used) term for a sloop without a bowsprit.

KNOCKDOWN:

when a vessel is thrown on its beam ends by a sudden gust of wind.

KNOT:

a measure of speed meaning nautical miles per hour (one nautical mile equals 6080.20 feet); also a method of binding objects together using rope.

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LAND BREEZE:

an evening breeze blowing from land to sea.

LANDLUBBER:

sailor's term for a person unfamilliar with the sea and seafaring.

LAZARETTE:

below deck storage space aft.

LEECH:

the trailing edge of a fore-and-aft sail.

LEE HELM:

an unbalance condition that tends to turn the sailboat away from the wind; the opposite of weather helm, which is more desirable.

LEEWARD:

away from the direction of the wind.

LEEWAY:

the distance a sailboat is carried to leeward by the force of the wind.

LET IT RUN:

release a line and enable it to run freely.

LIFT:

a change in wind direction so that the eye of the wind shifts more toward the stern of the boat; opposite of heading up.

LINES:

ropes on a vessel that are used for special purposes, such as sheet lines, bow lines, or guy lines.

LIVELY:

execute your last command quickly, either easing or hauling at a faster pace.

LOOSE-FOOTED:

a sail fastened to a boom at tack and clew only, or without a boom.

LOOSE-LIFTED:

a mainsail which is connected to the boom only at the lower corners.

LUFF:

the forward edge of a sail; also the fluttering of a sail as it begins to be backwinded.

LUFF UP:

to steer more closely into the wind; see head up.

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MAGNETIC BEARING:

the direction of an object from the heading of a vessel, with no deviation.

MAGNETIC COURSE:

the heading of a vessel based on the magnetic compass.

MAIN HALYARD:

a line which pulls the mainsail to the top of the mast.

MAINSAIL:

fore-and-aft sail set on the after side of the aminmast.

MAINSHEET:

the line from the main boom to the cockpit; used to control the set of the mainsail.

MAKER READY TO SAIL:

prepare the vessel for sailing, includes removing sail covers and settings lines into position.

MANNED AND READY:

a station is manned and ready when there enough people to work the lines properly.

MAN YOUR LINE:

station a sufficient number of crew to handle a line considering its purpose and weather conditions

MARCONI:

tall jib-headed triangular sails.

MARLINSPIKE:

a pointed tool used for separating rope or wire strands when splicing; also used to refer to the art and practice of throwing nautical knots.

MAST:

a vertical spar that supports spars, rigging, and sails.

MAST STEP:

a fitting in a boat in which the lower end of the mast is secured.

MASTHEAD:

the top of the mast; a rig in which the headsails extend to the top of the mast.

MIZZENMAST:

the after and shorter of the two masts on yawls and ketches.

MOORING:

a large permanent anchor and bouy; generally a vessel's permanent home.

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NAUTICAL MILE:

a unit of distance equal to 6080.20 feet; see knot.

NUN BUOY:

a conical red buoy carrying an even number and marking the right, or starboard side of a channel entering from seaward.

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OFFSHORE:

away from the shore.

OFF THE WIND:

sailing on any course except to sindward.

ON DECK:

a call to alert deck crew of impending action.

ON THE NEHEMIAH:

an call to alert crew of the Nehemiah of a pending action at the start of a voyage.

ON THE WIND:

sailing to windward; see beat and closehauled.

OUTBOARD:

beyond the dide of a vessel.

OUTHAUL:

a line used to fasten and tighten the clew of a sail; tightens the foot (bottom) of a sail.

OVERHAUL:

assist in rendering free; applies to extending tackle, and so on.

OVERTRIM:

a sondition where the sail is trimmed in too tightly for the wind direction.

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PAINTER:

a short length of rope attached to the bow of a small boat.

PAY OFF:

to swing away from the wind.

PAY OUT:

to ease or feed out a rope.

PENNANT:

a small narrow flag; also the length of rope that attaches a vessel to its mooring float.

PINCHING:

sailing too close to the wind.

PINTLE:

a pinlike metal fitting on the rudder that inserts into the gudgeon, which is attached to the boats transom.

PLANING:

skimming over the water in a lightweight boat, usually in medium to strong winds.

POINT:

the ability to sail to windward; a sailboat that "points well" sails close to the wind.

PORT:

the left side of a vessel facing forward.

PORT TACK:

sailing with the wind coming in the boat over the port side.

PRAM:

a small dinghy having square ends.

PRIVILEGED VESSEL:

the vessel holding the right of way; the burdened vessle must keep clear.

PULPIT:

safety rail at the bow of the boat.

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QUARTER:

that portion of a vessel forward of the stern and aft of the beam.

QUARTERING SEA:

a sea running toward either the port or starboard quarter of a vessel.

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RAIL:

the outer edge of the deck on a vessel.

RAKE:

the angle of a mast from the vertical.

REACH:

a sailing course between running free and closehauled.

READY ABOUT:

the initial order given when it is desired to bring a sailboat about; command to alert all on board of pending tacking maneuver.

REEF:

a technique for reducing sail area.

REEF POINTS:

short pieces of line attached to a sail and used to tie in a feef.

RIG:

the nature of a sailboat's mast and sail arrangement, as in cat rig, jib-headed rig, and gaff rig.

RIGGING:

a term applying to all lines, stays, and shrouds on a sailboat.

RIGHT:

to return a vessel to its normal position, as in "righting a capsized boat."

RIGHT OF WAY:

the right of the privileged vessel to hold course and speed.

ROACH:

the curve along the leech of a sail.

RODE:

the anchor line or cable.

RUDDER:

the flat plate hinged at or near the stern that is used to steer a vessel; the rudder is controlled by the tiller.

RULES OF THE ROAD:

the laws of navigation; their primary purpose is the avoidance of collisions.

RUNNING:

sailing on a course with the wind astern or on the quarter; see before the wind.

RUNNING RIGGING:

the movable part of a sailboat's rigging; for example, the halyards and sheet lines.

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SCOPE:

the length of anchor line let out.

SEA ANCHOR:

a dragging device used to slow a vessel down in heavy weather.

SEAWAY:

an area of sea with moderate or heavy seas running.

SEAWORTHY:

capable of putting to sea and meeting sea conditions.

SHACKLE:

a clip used for attaching lines or sails quickly.

SHEET:

a line that controls the set of the sails; see jibsheet and mainsheet.

SHEET HOME:

command given to personnel on headsails and staysails to haul the sheet in and trim it to best advantage.

SHIPSHAPE:

neat and seamanlike.

SHOCK CORD:

a stretchy cord consisting of many thing pieces of rubber; also called a bungee cord.

SHOOT UP INTO THE WIND:

to steer the sailboat's bow into the eye of the wind under the boat's momentum.

SHOVE OFF:

to depart.

SHROUDS:

the rigging that supports a mast at its sides.

SLACK:

to ease off; also loose or unfastened; also the state of the tide when there is no horizontal water motion.

SLOOP:

a one-masted sailboat, carrying mainsail and jib.

SNUB:

to check or stop a rope suddenly.

SPAR:

a term applied to masts, boom, gaffs, etc.

SPINNAKER:

a light ballonlike sail wued when running or reaching.

SPLASHBOARD:

a raised board on deck designed to deflect spray away from the cockpit.

SPLICE:

a method for weaving strands of rope together.

SPREADER:

a horizontal strut to which shrouds are attached to support the mast.

SPRING LINE:

a dock line leading forward or aft that keeps a vessel from moving ahead or astern.

SQUALL:

a sudden and violent local storm or gust of wind.

SQUARE KNOT:

a knot consisting of two overhand knots.

STANCHIONS:

verticle posts that hold the lifelines in place.

STANDING RIGGING:

the part of a sailboat's rigging, that is, the shrouds and stays that support the mast.

STARBOARD:

the right side of a vessel facing forward.

STARBOARD TACK:

sailing with the wind coming in to the boat over the starboard side.

STAYS:

the rigging running forward and aft that supports the mast; see backstay, headstay,  and jibstay.

STAYSAIL:

a for-and-aft triangular sail normally set on a stay; sometimes staysails are set flying.

STEERAGE WAY:

sufficient headway for the rudder to function.

STEMHEAD FITTING:

a plate at or near the bow of a boat, to which the jibstay and jib tack are secured.

STERN:

the after end of a vessel.

STORM JIB:

a small triangular sail used in very heavy weather.

STOW:

to store away on a vessel.

SWAMP:

to sink by filling with water.

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TACK:

to come about; also the lower forward corner of a sail; also a course sailed, such as the port tack and the starboard tack.

TACKLE:

a combination of blocks and rope - a "block and tackle."

TAKE UP SLACK:

to keep slack out of a line.

TANG:

fitting that connects shrouds to mast.

TAUT:

having no slack.

TELLTALE:

a strip of ribbon or yarn tied to a shroud to show the direction of the apparent wind.

THAT'S WELL:

command used to indicate that a line has been hauled enough; a milder form of the command Avast.

THROW OFF:

take a line off the pin and see that the line runs freely. This command never applies to lines under a heavy strain, except in emergencies.

THWARTSHIPS:

at right angles to the fore-and-aft line on a vessel, from side to side.

TIDE:

the rise and fall of the sea level.

TIDE RIPS:

areas of disturbed and turbulent water caused by strong tidal currents.

TILLER:

a rod used to control the rudder.

TOPPING LIFT:

a rope used to support a boom from above.

TOPSIDE:

on deck.

TOPSIDES:

the sides of a vessel between the waterline and the rail.

TRANSOM:

the stern planking of a square-sterned vessel.

TRAVELER:

a metal rod that allows a sheet block to slide back and forth; if rope is used instead it becomes a brindle.

TRIM:

the fore-and-aft balance of a vessel; also to adjust the sails to take best advantage of the wind; to pull in. . . as in trim a sheet.

TRUE COURSE:

a course that has been corrected for variation and deviation.

TRUE WIND:

the wind speed and direction as seen by a stationary observer.

TURNBUCKLE:

a thread-and-screw device used to adjust the tension in shrouds and stays.

TURTLING:

capsizing a boat so that it is completely upside down.

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UNDER TRIM:

a condition where the sail is trimmed too loosely for the wind direction.

UNDER WAY:

in motion and under control of the helmsman; when the boat is neither at anchor, made fast or aground.

UNFURL:

to cast loose a sail by throwing off the gaskets.

UP ANCHOR:

the command to raise the anchor and get under way.

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VANG:

see boom vang.

VARIATION:

the local differences in degrees between true north and magnetic north.

VEER:

when the wind changes direction toward the stern.

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WAKE:

the track a vessel leaves astern as it passes through the water.

WATERLINE:

a line painted on a vessel's side to indicate its proper trim.

WEATHER HELM:

an unbalance condition that tends to turn the sailboat toward the wind; the opposite of lee helm.

WEATHER SIDE:

the windward side.

WELL FOUND:

a well-equipped vessel with all gear in good condition.

WHIPPING:

twine or thread wound around the end of a rope to keep it from fraying.

WHISKER POLE:

a spar used to hold the clew of athe jib away from the boat when running before the wind.

WINDWARD:

toward the wind; the weather side of a vessel.

WINCH:

a mechanical device used to haul sheet lines.

WING-AND-WING:

running before the wind with the main and jib set on opposite sides of the boat.

WORKING SAILS:

mainsail and jib used for ordinary weather conditions.

YACHT:

any vessel designed for pleasure use.

YAW:

to steer uncontrollably out of the line of the cours, as when running with a heavy quartering sea.

YAWL:

a two-masted sailboat having the aftermast abaft the rudder post.

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