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edition #08
Sailing Dictionary

Dee and her co-skipper, Anna Corbella, completed the Vuelta a Espana (Tour of Spain) at the end of last month. The six legs around Spain were fast and furious and the crew aboard GAES Centros Auditivos finished in 6th place overall. You may have been reading Dee's blogs and our news updates throughout the race, however, for those of you that don't sail the jargon is not always easy to understand. We have put together a sailing dictionary which gives a short explanation of some of the more commonly used words or terms in the sailing world.

the Sailing Dictionary

A

ABAFT
Toward the rear (stern) of the boat. Behind

ABEAM
At right angles to the keel of the boat, but not on the boat

ABOARD
On or within the boat

ABOVE DECK
On the deck (not over it – see ALOFT)

ABREAST
Side by side; by the side of

ADRIFT
Loose, not on moorings or towline

AFT
Toward the stern of the boat

AGROUND
Touching or fast to the bottom

AHEAD
In a forward direction

AIDS TO NAVIGATION
Artificial objects to supplement natural landmarks indicating safe and unsafe waters

ALEE
Away from the direction of the wind. Opposite of windward

ALOFT
Above the deck of the boat

AMIDSHIPS
In or toward the centre of the boat

ANCHORAGE
A place suitable for anchoring in relation to the wind, seas and bottom

ANENOMETER
An instrument for measuring wind speed

ASCENDER
Dee uses the ascender to safely climb up the mast. She was forced to scale the mast at the start of her third week at sea. “I looked aloft and noticed that my take down line for the mainsail above the third reef was caught round the front of the mast,” wrote Dee. She tried to think of another option as the conditions were not ideal for her first ascent, but had no choice. The ascender is a special line that she hoists up the mast which is then set tight to enable her to safely climb. She attaches herself to the line with a climbing harness.

ASTERN
Back of the boat, opposite of ahead

ASYMETRIC
A non symetrical spinnaker, generally used on fast sailing boats that will never run dead down wind.

B

BACKSTAY
A line or cable used to support the mast. The backstay runs from the masthead to the stern and helps keep the mast from falling forward

BALLAST TANK
A method of holding water in the hull in order to improve the trim and heel of the boat, controlled by the sailor.

BATTEN DOWN
Secure hatches and loose objects both within the hull and on deck. Particularly relevant when preparing for bad conditions.

BEAM
The greatest width of the boat

BEAM REACH
Point of sail with the wind coming from abeam

BEAM SEAS
Direction of the sea is at right angles to the keel of the boat (abeam). Large beam seas can result in an uncomfortable rocking motion as the sea meets the side of the boat

BEARING
The direction of an object expressed either as a true bearing as shown on the chart, or as a bearing relative to the heading of the boat

BEATING
To sail against the wind on alternate tacks

BELOW
Beneath the deck

BIGHT
The part of the rope or line, between the end and the standing part, on which a knot is formed

BILGE
The interior of the hull below the floor boards where water often collects

BOAT HOOK
A short shaft with a fitting at one end shaped to facilitate use in putting a line over a piling, recovering an object dropped overboard, or in pushing or fending off

BOOT TOP
A painted line that indicates the designed waterline

BOOM
Pole securing the bottom of a sail

BOW
The forward part of a boat

BOW LINE
A docking line leading from the bow

BOWLINE
A knot used to form a temporary loop in the end of a line

BOWSPRIT
A pole extending forward from the vessel's bow, allowing better positioning of the jib

BREAKING SEAS
Large waves form crests in high winds, even in deep water, resulting in the tops to tumble forward

BRIDLE
A line or wire secured at both ends in order to distribute a strain between two points

BULKHEAD
A vertical partition separating compartments

BUOY
An anchored float used for marking a position on the water or a hazard or a shoal and for mooring

C

CABIN
A compartment for passengers or crew

CANTING KEEL
A keel that can be swung from one side of the boat to another in order to affect the Heel. Normally controlled by hydraulics

CAPSIZE
To turn over

CAST OFF
To let go

CHAFING GEAR
Tubing or cloth wrapping used to protect a line from chafing on a rough surface

CHART
A map for use by navigators

CLEAT
A fitting to which lines are made fast

CLOVE HITCH
A knot for temporarily fastening a line to a spar or piling

COACHROOF
Section of the deck that covers the main cabin, slightly raised to give more space inside, and to help protect the cockpit.

COCKPIT
An opening in the deck from which the boat is handled

CODE O
A Code O is essentially a cross between a spinnaker and a genoa. A flat, heavyweight asymmetric reaching spinnaker designed to fly like a huge jib. It is effective at wind angles from 45 degrees in light airs and up to 100 degrees in heavier airs and is commonly used offshore or for distance sailing

COIL
To lay a line down in circular turns

COMPANIONWAY
The main entrance into the interior of the boat.

COURSE
The direction in which a boat is steered

CRASH BULKHEAD
Forward bulkhead in the boat, designed such that the boat is still watertight even if flooded forward of this area.

CURRENT
The movement of water, affected by tides and seabed topograpy.

D

DEAD AHEAD
Directly ahead

DEAD ASTERN
Directly behind.

DECK
A permanent covering over a compartment, hull or any part thereof .

DECK SPREADER
An arm protruding over the side of the boat from near the mast, used for supporting the mast, especially on rotating masts.

DISPLACEMENT
The weight of water displaced by a floating vessel, thus, a boat's weight

DISPLACEMENT HULL
A type of hull that ploughs through the water, displacing a weight of water equal to its own weight, even when more power is added

DOCK
An area in which vessels are moored

DOLDRUMS / ITCZ (Intertropical Convergence Zone)
An area of low-pressure between the northeast and southeast trade winds, which migrates with the seasons but is generally situated between 3 and 11° north. The windless void is caused by intense heating at the equator that makes the hot, volatile air rise. This band of light airs is interspersed with tropical storm cells as a result of the volatile air, so sailors can face the frustration of grinding to a complete halt, only to encounter sudden violent squalls producing rapid and dangerous changes in wind speed and direction.

DRAFT
The depth of water a boat draws, ie. how deep it is. For an Open 60 the rule restricts this to 4.5m. from the waterline.

E

EBB
A receding current

EQUATOR
An imaginary line round the centre of the earth at a latitude of 0°

F

FATHOM
A measurement equivalent to Six feet

FENDER
A cushion, placed between boats, or between a boat and a pier, to prevent damage

FIGARO
A class of 36 foot long boats that are very competitive in France. Many French single handed sailors started off in either these or Mini Transats.

FLARE
The outward curve of a vessel's sides near the bow. A distress signal

FLOOD
An incoming current. Usually referring to tidal action, on Open 60s often used to refer to filling a ballast tank.

FLYING FISH
There are 70 species of Exocoetidae or flying fishes. They are found in all the major oceans in warm tropical and sub-tropical waters. They have unusually large pectoral fins which allow them to take short flights out of the water to escape predators. Some species also have large pelvic fins, so they look like they have four wings.
Generally they grow up to 30cm in length but some can be as big as 45cm. They live near the surface and feed on plankton.

FOLLOWING SEA
An overtaking sea that comes from astern

FORE-AND-AFT
In a line parallel to the keel

FOREPEAK
A compartment in the bow

FORESAIL
A sail placed forward of the mast, a job for example

FORWARD
Toward the bow of the boat

FOULED
Any piece of equipment that is jammed or entangled, or dirtied

FREEBOARD
The minimum vertical distance from the surface of the water to the gunwale

FURL
To lower a sail. Sails are sometimes partially lowered to reduce sail area without removing sail completely. Usually called reefing

G

GALE
Storm with wind speeds of approximately 34-40 knots; force 8 on Beaufort Scale, described as producing moderately high waves with breaking crests, breaking twigs and causing cars to veer

GALLEY
The kitchen area

GANGWAY
The area of a ship's side where people board and disembark

GEAR
A general term for ropes, blocks, tackle and other equipment

GENERATOR
A small engine used solely for charging the batteries.

GENOA
A large jib that overlaps the mast

GIVE-WAY VESSEL
A term used to describe the vessel which must yield in meeting, crossing, or overtaking situations

GPS
Abbreviation for Global Positioning System, a system of satellites allowing position to be accurately determined

GRAB RAILS
Hand-hold fittings mounted on cabin tops and sides for personal safety when moving around the boat

GREAT CIRCLE
A circle drawn around the Earth so that the centre of the circle is at the centre of the Earth, plotting the shortest distance between any two points . The great circle is the path with the smallest curvature, and, hence, an arc is the shortest path between two points on the surface.

GRIB FILES
A file downloaded from the internet that gives specific wind and weather information. Often used for running calculations for future routes.

GRIGRI
A Grigri is a popular belay device used by climbers. It is a hand-sized device attached to the line which enables Dee to safely control her descent. An important characteristic of a Grigri is its self-locking behaviour under a shock load. So if Dee were to slip and suddenly fall towards the deck, the Grigri would lock in place and stop her from falling to a potential injury, much like a seat belt in a car reacts when a car stops suddenly.

GRINDING PEDESTAL
A means of controlling a winch that allows for more effective use of human muscles

GUARDRAIL
Aline running all the way around the boat, held in place by stanchions, to prevebt sailors falling over the side.

GUNWALE
The upper edge of a boat's sides

GYBE
Changing the direction of the boat by turning the stern of the boat through the wind

H

HALYARD
A line used to hoist a sail, the tightness of which effects the shape of the sail

HALYARD LOCK
A method used on modern race boats to attach the head of a sail to the mast, thereby reducing compression strains on the mast due to force in the sail.

HATCH
An opening in a boat's deck fitted with a watertight cover

HEAD
A marine toilet. Also the upper corner of a triangular sail

HEADING
The direction in which a vessel's bow points at any given time

HEADSTAY
The most forward forestay – the line from the bow or bowsprit to the mast

HEADWAY
The forward motion of a boat. Opposite of sternway

HEEL
The amount that a boat leans over.

HELM
The wheel or tiller controlling the rudder

HELMSPERSON
The person who steers the boat

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 large vessel, used solely for carrying cargo

HULL
The main body of a vessel

I

IMOCA
The International Monohull Open Classes Association (IMOCA) is an international association within the sport of sailing which administers the monohull Open 50 and Open 60 classes of sailoats. The association is responsible for defining and updating the class rules for Open-class boats, and has the additional aims of co-ordinating events involving Open boats, and promoting their use.

INBOARD
More toward the centre of a vessel; inside; a motor fitted inside a boat

INMARSAT-C
A system of satellites that allow two way communications

ITCZ / DOLDRUMS (Intertropical Convergence Zone)
An area of low-pressure between the northeast and southeast trade winds, which migrates with the seasons but is generally situated between 3 and 11° north. The windless void is caused by intense heating at the equator that makes the hot, volatile air rise. This band of light airs is interspersed with tropical storm cells as a result of the volatile air, so sailors can face the frustration of grinding to a complete halt, only to encounter sudden violent squalls producing rapid and dangerous changes in wind speed and direction.

J

JACOBS LADDER
A rope ladder, lowered from the deck, as when pilots or passengers come aboard

JIB
A triangular sail attached to the headstay

K

KEEL
The centreline of a boat running fore and aft; the backbone of a vessel

KITE
See Spinnaker

KNOT
A measure of speed equal to one nautical mile (6076 feet) per hour

KNOT
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

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
A line running from the mast to the boom to aid lowering of the sail

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

LINE
Rope and cordage used aboard a vessel

LOG
A record of courses or operation. Also, a device to measure speed

LONGITUDE
The distance in degrees east or west of the meridian at Greenwich, England

LUBBER'S LINE
A mark or permanent line on a compass indicating the direction forward parallel to the keel when properly installed

M

MAIN SHEET
Line used to control the main sail

MARLINSPIKE
A tool for opening the strands of a rope while splicing

MIDSHIP
Approximately in the location equally distant from the bow and stern

MINI TRANSAT
A class of 6.5m long single handed boats that race across the Atlantic. Originally started in the UK, but now running in France there are at least 75 boats in each single handed race. Very competitive and a great learning ground.

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 RULES
The regulations governing the movement of vessels in relation to each other, generally called steering and sailing rules

O

OPEN 60
The Open 60 class is the main focus of IMOCA. The classis not represented by fixed boat designs; instead, they are defined by a "box rule" which permits any design, as long as it meets certain restrictions. The restrictions limit the lengths of the boats to 18.29 m (60 feet), and places certain safety requirements on the boats such as minimum stability requirements. The boats are light and high-powered, with large sail area. Typically consisting of large carbon-fibre shells, there are few concessions to comfort.

OUTBOARD
Toward or beyond the boat's sides. A detachable engine mounted on a boat's stern

OVERBOARD
Over the side or out of the boat

P

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. Generally desirable as it reduces the amount of friction due to water.

PORT
The left side of a boat looking forward. A harbour

PRIVILEGED VESSEL
A vessel that, according to the applicable Navigation Rule, has right-of-way (this term has been superseded by the term "stand-on")

Q

QUARTER
The sides of a boat aft of amidships

QUARTERING SEA
Sea coming on a boat's quarter

R

RADAR
Electronic device using radio waves to determine the position of other objects, used to avoid collisions

REEFING
As wind speed increases the yacht becomes overpowered and heels over (leans) too much. This not only slows the yacht down but also makes the sails vulnerable to damage. To maintain the right power for the prevailing conditions, the sails are reefed, which means to reduce their area by partially lowering or furling them to a pre-determined mark.

RHUMB LINE
The shortest distance between two points, over a short distance of the Earth’s surface. When travelling a greater distance the curvature of the Earth comes into account and you need to consider a Great Circle.

RIGGING
Lines, halyards or other items used to attach sails. Those adjusted to raise, lower or trim sails are known as running rigging; those not adjusted known as standing rigging

ROARING FORTIES
A region between 40° South and 50° South where westerly winds circle the earth unobstructed by land

RODE
The anchor line and/or chain

ROTATING RIG
A mast that is designed to be rotated in order to provide a better aerodynamic shape.

ROPE
In general, cordage as it is purchased at the store

RUDDER
A vertical plate or board for steering a boat

RUN
To allow a line to feed freely

RUNNING BACKSTAY
Adjustable stay used to control tension on the mast

RUNNING LIGHTS
Lights required to be shown on boats underway between sundown and dawn

S

SATELLITE NAVIGATION
A form of position finding using radio transmissions from satellites with sophisticated on-board automatic equipment

SCREW
A boat's propeller

SCUPPERS
Drain holes on deck, in the toe rail, or in bulwarks or (with drain pipes) in the deck itself

SEA COCK
A through hull valve, a shut off on a plumbing or drain pipe between the vessel's interior and the sea

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 safe distance from the shore or other hazards

SEAWORTHY
A boat or a boat's gear able to meet sea conditions

SECURE
To make fast

SET
Direction toward which the current is flowing

SHEET
A line attached to a sail allowing you to change the trim, and control the shape of the sail.

SHROUD
Part of the standing rigging that supports the mast, running from the top of the mast to the side of the boat

SNUFFER
A large sock that is pulled down over a spinnaker to control it when taking it down.

SOUNDING
A measurement of the depth of water

SPLICE
To pass one part of a line inside another, normally done to create a loop in the end of an eye. This is used in order to avoid tying a knot, which reduces the breaking load of a line.

SPINNAKER
A large, light sail used when the wind is coming from behind the boat.

SPREADERS
Spars extending sideways from the mast allowing the shrouds to support the mast

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

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

STACKING
To move the stores and sails aboard a boat in order to affect the trim and heel for greater efficiency.

STANCHION
Post near the edge of the deck supporting lifeline, which extends from bow to stern to prevent crew being separated from boat

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

STAY
Lines running fore and aft of the mast for support, also used to carry some sails

STAYSAIL
Triangular sail positioned forward of the mast but aft of the headstay

STEM
The forward most part of the bow

STERN
The aft part of the boat

STERN LINE
A docking line leading from the stern

STOW
To put an item in its proper place

T

TACK
The lower forward corner of a triangular sail; the direction the boat is sailing in relation to the wind; change a boat's direction by turning the bow of the boat through the wind

THWARTSHIPS
At right angles to the centreline 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

TOPSIDES
The sides of a vessel between the waterline and the deck; sometimes referring to onto or above the deck

TRADE WIND
Consistent, reliable winds found in the equatorial region

TRANSOM
The stern cross-section of a square sterned boat

TRIM
Fore and aft balance of a boat.
Adjustment of Sheets and Sails to allow efficient airflow through the sails and directly effecting performance

U

UNDERWAY
Vessel in motion, i.e., when not moored, at anchor, or aground

UTC
Stands for Coordinated Universal Time, (although this is not a true acronym as it is a variant of UT – Universal Time). UTC replaced GMT as the World Standard Time in 1986. It is based on atomic measurements rather than the rotation of the earth.

V

VEER
Change of wind direction, clockwise in the northern hemisphere, anti-clockwise in the Southern Hemisphere

VMG
Velocity Made Good. The speed measureed as a direct line to the finish or the next waypoint. Often used to refer to boats trying to sail downwind in light wind, they will sail VMG to a downwind point to keep good speed even though the course may be longer.

W

WAKE
Moving waves, track or path that a boat leaves behind it, when moving across the waters

WATERLINE
A line painted on a hull which shows the point to which a boat sinks when it is properly trimmed

WATERMAKER
A mechanical machine that turns salty sea water into fresh drinking water.

WAY
Movement of a vessel through the water such as headway, sternway or leeway

WINDWARD
Toward the direction from which the wind is coming, opposite of leeward

Y

YAW
To swing or steer off course, as when running with a quartering sea