Learn the Lingo! (Page One)

Common nautical terms have come into being over hundreds of years of naval history and range from the straightforward to the bizarre! Listed below are some of those you are likely to hear on board with an explanation in plain english.

Aft-

Anything to do with going towards the back of the boat.

Backstay-

A strong wire at the back of the boat that stops the mast from falling forwards.

Beam-

The widest part of the boat.

Bear Away-

To turn away from the wind.

Boom-

Usually made of metal or wood it runs underneth the mainsail and pulls the mainsail down, out and into shape.

Bow-

The front of the boat.

Closehauled-

Sailing the boat into the wind as much as possible.

Coachroof-

The top of the cabin above the deck.

Cockpit-

The area from which the boat is steered and in which the crew sit.

Companionway-

The steps leading down into the main cabin area.

Draught

A measurement taken from the waterline to the bottom of the keel.

Fairlead-

A strong guide on the rail or deck for shorelines to pass through.

Fender-

An inflated sausage or ball shaped plastic buffer on a short lenghth of rope, used to cushion the boat's hull against the pontoon or another boat.

Foot-

The bottom edge of a sail.

Foredeck-

The deck area forward of the mast.

Forestay-

A strong wire at the front of the boat that stops the mast from falling backwards.

Genoa-

A large headsail which when completely set comes back further than the mast.

Guardrail-

A wire rail running along both decks to act as a safety measure. Commonly used for hanging fenders.

Gybe-

To steer the boat so that it's stern (back end) passes through the wind.

Foresail-

The forward sail on a sloop rigged boat. May also be refered to as a the Headsail, jib or Genoa. (The Jib and Genoa are types of foresail.)

Halyard-

Any rope used to raise or lower the sails.

Heads-

A sea toilet. Named from the days when a hole was cut into the foredeck for the purpose. (A fact worth remembering when you're cursing in the cramped confines of the average yacht lavatory!)

Heave to-

Stopping the boat at sea by setting the sails against each other and the wheel or tiller all the way towards the wind.

Helm-

The name given to the wheel or tiller that steers the boat. Also the name given to the person who is currently steering.

Keel-

A weighted shape at the bottom of the hull which helps to keep the boat upright and reduces it's sideways motion through the water.

Kicker, Kicking Strap or Vang-

A tackle or rigid tube which pulls the boom down towards the deck, helping to flatten the mainsail if required.

Knot-

A nautical mile per hour. (A nautical mile is approximately ten percent longer than a land mile.)

Go to "Learn the Lingo" Page Two

"Mackerel skies and mares tails, soon will be time to shorten sails."

-Old sailors proverb.

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