Learn the Lingo! (Page Two)

Leadline-

Exactly what it says on the label. A marked line with a lead weight on the end. Used to find the depth if the echo sounder isn't working or needs calibration.

Lee Shore-

A shoreline towards which the wind is blowing.

Leech-

The back or trailing edge of a sail.

Log-

An instrument that measures the boat's speed through the water.

Luff, Luff Up-

The front or leading edge of a sail. Also used as a command to sail closer to or directly into the wind

Mainsail or Main-

The sail behind the mast with the boom suspended beneath it.

Neap Tides-

The smaller tidal ranges experienced in a lunar month.

Painter-

A line secured to the bow of a tender or dinghy.

Pivot Point-

The point around which a boat swivels as it is steered.

Port-

The left hand side of the boat looking forward.

Preventer-

A line run from the end of the boom to the bow and tensioned to prevent the boom slamming across in an accidental or unintended gybe.

Quarter

The part of the boat from the middle to the centre of the stern. (If you were standing at the wheel and looked over each shoulder you would be looking over the port and starboard quaters of the boat.)

Reaching-

Any point of sail between closehauled (wind nearly ahead) and running (wind behind). The wind is on the side of the boat.

Reefing-

Making the sail area smaller as the wind increases.

Running-

The point of sail at which the wind is behind the boat. Known as running before the wind.

Rig-

A collective term describing the mast, boom, stays & shrouds. Running rigging refers to the lines that move and control the sails.

Seacock-

A valve to open or close any through the hull opening such the engine cooling inlet.

Sheet-

Any rope that controls the way a sail is set.

Shrouds-

Strong wires amidships (in the middle of the boat) that stop the mast from falling to port (left) or starboard (right).

Sloop-

A boat with one mast, one headsail and a mainsail.

Spreaders-

Metal spars (bars) projecting from the mast which push the shrouds (wires in the middle of the boat) out and help keep the mast centred and tensioned.

Springs-

Lines that are set to stop the boat moving forwards or backwards after it has been berthed.

Spring Tides-

The larger tidal ranges experienced during a lunar month.

Stanchion Posts-

A series of posts along the deck edge which support the guard rail.

Starboard-

The right hand side of the boat looking forward.

Steerage Way-

The minimum speed at which a boat can travel through water and still be steered.

Stern-

The back of the boat.

Tack-

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

Tiller-

A Metal or wooden bar attached to the rudder and used to steer the boat.

Topping Lift-

A line which runs from the top of the mast to the end of the boom. It is used to take the weight of the boom when the mainsail is down or being reefed.

Warps-

Heavy lines, generally used to secure the the bows and stern of a boat to the pontoon.

Weather Side-

The side of the boat that faces the wind.

Go to "Learn the Lingo" Page One

"He was now convinced that the most valuable sail on board was the diesel"

-Ray Kauffman.

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