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Sailing

Sailing is the skillful art of controlling the motion of a sailing ship  or sailboat, across a body of water. Sailing vessels are propelled by the force of the wind on sails. Today, for most people, sailing is recreation, an activity pursued for the joy of being on the water and pursuing the mastery of the skills needed to maneuver a sailboat in varying sea and wind conditions. Recreational sailing can be further divided into Racing, Cruising and "Daysailing."

Introduction
A sailboat or sailing ship moves forward due to the action of the wind on its sails. Since at least the dawn of history this vital technology has afforded mankind greater mobility and capacity for fishing, trade and warfare. From moving the stones of the great pyramids from Aswan to Giza to allowing man to migrate throughout Polynesia to Nelson's defeat of the French Navy at Trafalgar, mankind's history has been intertwined with this seemingly simple technology (although it is not quite as simple as it seems).

The physics of sailing

Downwind: Sailing is easy to understand when the wind is pushing the sails and the boat downwind. European sailing technology relied on downwind sailing through much of its history, limiting the efficiency of sail-borne travel and commerce. Basically the wind pushes the sail and the boat moves. This allows sailing directly away from the wind, and by changing the angle of the sail to the wind, sailing about 80 degrees to either side of directly downwind. The angles "closer to the wind" are made more effective by a keel, or fin attached to the bottom of the hull to counteract side-slipping. Unfortunately, you couldn't go in a direction, if the wind wasn't blowing from behind you.


Upwind: It is more difficult to understand how upwind sailing works, although it was mastered by the Egyptians and Polynesians early in their history. All modern sailing uses upwind sailing technology, including the large cruse ships recently built with auxiliary hard surface "sails".

When sailing upwind the angle of the sail (or its "trim") is adjusted so that slightly more wind pressure hits the upwind or "windward" side of the sail than the downwind or "leeward" side. The sail is cut and trimmed so that this increased pressure pushes the sail into a shape that resembles an airplane wing - a flat windward side and a curved shape to leeward. Then as the wind flows around the mast and on either side of the sail, Bernoulli's principle acts to create a vacuum on the leeward side of the sail, "pulling" the sail and the boat through the water.

The keel (or Centerboard, Daggerboard or Sideboards in Dinghies) is critical to upwind sailing, as most of the force created is tipping or "heeling" the boat over, as opposed to pulling it forward. In a balance of forces and flows probably too complicated to describe here, the keel forms a hydrofoil that counteracts the heeling of the boat and translates the heeling force into forward motion. The understanding and use of this effect explains the transition from "full keels" that ran along all or much of the bottom of the boat to the modern "fin keels" that are relatively deep and narrow. Even with efficient keels boats heel over sailing upwind. Heeling is counteracted by ballast, either in the form of dense material located deep in the bilge or externally in the keel, usually lead or iron, or for smaller, centerboard boats, by the weight of the crew.


Apparent Wind: When sailing downwind, a boat catches up to the wind, so the wind cannot push as hard on the sails. When sailing at an angle to the wind, however, the motion of the boat creates its own "wind" (think of a dog with its head out the window of a car...) This "motion wind" is not running away from and lessening the wind felt on the boat, but adding to it. The angle of the wind is also changed by the forward motion of the boat. The "motion wind" comes from the direction the boat is pointed. the "true wind" from the direction it is blowing

The motion wind and the true wind form two force and angle vectors that resolve into the "apparent wind" that is felt on the boat. This is the wind that the boat is actually sailing by. When going upwing the apparent wind can be greater than the "true wind" to the extent that for very efficient sailboats sailing at the correct angle the boat itself can travel faster than the true wind.

Basic sailing techniques
The article Points of sail defines several terms that identify a sailboat's movement relative to the wind direction.

Steering and turning
When steering a sailboat, the method for changing direction depends on the direction of the wind. Thus, all direction changes or turns are described by one of the following terms:

• Heading up (or luffing up) means steering so the wind is closer to  coming from directly in front (or "on the bow"). Heading closer to the wind  requires trimming the sails, pulling them towards the vessel's center.  Heading up so the wind is nearly or directly ahead causes sails to   luff , to flutter without achieving lift. If the boat loses  maneuverability because of this, it is said to be in irons . Tacking (or coming  about), one of the basic turning techniques, requires heading up and through  the wind so it then comes across the opposite side of the boat, and the boat  sails away on the opposite tack .  

• Heading down , bearing away , and falling off mean  steering so the wind comes from closer to the vessel's aft. This requires   easing sails, letting them out away from the vessel's center.   Jibing is the turning maneuver in which the boat heads down past the  point where the wind crosses the vessel's stern, which causes the sails and  boom to swing to the opposite side, before the boat sails off on the opposite  tack. The sail crosses with significant speed and misjudged jibing can easily  capsize a boat especially in strong winds

Trim
An important aspect of sailing is keeping the boat in "trim". To achieve this a useful mnemonic (memory aid) is the phrase:

C an T his B oat S ail C orrectly?

This helps the crew to remember these essential points;

• C ourse to Steer - Turn the boat using the wheel or tiller to the  desired course to steer. See points of sail. This  may be a definite bearing (e.g steer 270 degrees), or towards a landmark, or  at a desired angle to the apparent wind direction.  

• T rim - This is the fore and aft balance of the boat. The aim is to  adjust the moveable ballast (the crew!) forwards or backwards to achieve an  'even keel'. On an upwind course in a small boat, the crew typically sit  forward, when 'running' it is more efficient for the crew to sit to the rear  of the boat. The position of the crew matters less as the size (and weight) of  the boat increases.  

• B alance - This is the port and starboard balance. The aim, once  again is to adjust weight 'inboard' or 'outboard' to prevent excessive  heeling.  

• S ail - Trimming sails is a large topic. Simply put however, a sail  should be pulled in until it fills with wind, but no further than the point  where the front edge of the sail (the luff) is exactly in line with the wind.  

• C entreboard - If a moveable centreboard is fitted, then it should  be lowered when sailing "close to the wind" but can be raised up on downwind  courses to reduce drag. The centreboard prevents lateral motion and allows the  boat to sail upwind. A boat with no centreboard will instead have a heavy  permanent keel built into the bottom of the hull, which serves the same  purpose.

Running
Sailing the boat within roughly 30 degrees either side of dead downwind is called a run. This is the easiest point of sail in terms of comfort, but it can also be the most dangerous. When sailing upwind, it's easy to stop the boat by heading into the wind; a sailor has no such easy out when running. Severe rolling is more likely as there is less rolling resistance provided by the sails, which are eased out. And loss of attention by the helmsman could lead the boat to jibe  accidentally, causing injury to the boat or crew. (A preventer can be rigged to prevent an accidental jibe.) Alternately, if there is a sudden increase in wind strength, the boat can round up very suddenly and heel excessively, often leading to a capsize in smaller boats. This is called broaching.

Reaching
When the boat is traveling approximately perpendicular to the wind, this is called reaching. A 'close' reach is somewhat toward the wind, and 'broad' reach is a little bit away from the wind (a 'beam' reach is with the wind precisely at right angles to the boat). For most modern sailboats, reaching is the fastest way to travel.

Sailing upwind
A basic rule of sailing is that it is not possible to sail directly into the wind. Generally speaking, a boat can sail 45 degrees off the wind. When a boat is sailing this close to the wind, it is close-hauled or beating (beating to weather).

Since a boat cannot sail directly into the wind, but the destination is often upwind, one can only get there by sailing close-hauled with the wind coming from the port side (the boat is on port tack), then tacking (turning the boat through the eye of the wind) and sailing with the wind coming from the starboard side (the boat is on starboard tack). By this method, it is possible to reach that destination directly upwind. The heavier the wind, the rougher the seas, thus boat movement can be more uncomfortable. This can feel like the boat is beating its hull into the waves, hence the term beating.

How close a boat can sail to the wind depends on the boat's design, sail trim, the sea state and the wind speed, since what the boat "sees" is the apparent wind, i.e., the vector sum of the actual wind and the boat's own velocity. The apparent wind speed is what the anemometer on top of the mast shows. A good analogy to this would be walking through an indoor room and feeling the "wind" on your face. The faster you walk, the more wind your feel. The apparent wind angle while sailing close hauled will be less than the true wind angle. A good, modern sloop can sail within 25 degrees of the apparent wind. An America's Cup racing sloop can sail within 16 degrees, under the right conditions. Those figures might translate into 45 degrees and 36 degrees relative to the actual wind, depending on boat speed.

Reducing sail
An important safety aspect of sailing is to adjust the amount of sail to suit the wind conditions. As the wind speed increases the crew should progressively reduce the amount of sail. On a small boat with only jib and mainsail this is done by furling the jib and by partially lowering the mainsail, a process called 'reefing the main'.

Reefing means reducing the area of a sail without actually changing it for a smaller sail. Ideally reefing does not only result in a reduced sail area but also in a lower center of effort from the sails, reducing the heeling moment and keeping the boat more upright.

There are three common methods of reefing the mainsail:

• Slab reefing, which involves lowering the sail by about one-quarter to  one-third of its luff length and tightening the lower part of the sail using  an outhaul or  a pre-loaded reef line through a cringle at the new clew, and hook through  a cringle at the new tack.  

• In-mast (or on-mast) roller-reefing. This method rolls the sail up around  a vertical foil either inside a slot in the mast, or affixed to the outside of  the mast. It requires a mainsail with either no battens, or newly-developed  vertical battens.  

• In-boom roller-reefing, with a horizontal foil inside the boom. This method  allows for standard- or full-length horizontal battens.

Mainsail furling systems have become increasingly popular on cruising yachts as they can be operated shorthanded and from the cockpit in most cases, however, the sail can become jammed in the mast or boom slot if not operated correctly. Mainsail furling is almost never used while racing because it results in a less efficient sail profile. The classical slab-reefing method is the most widely used. Mainsail furling has an additional disadvantage in that its complicated gear may somewhat increase weight aloft. However, as the size of the boat increases, the benefits of mainsail roller furling increase dramatically.

Sail trimming
As noted above, sail trimming is a large subject. Basic control of the mainsail consists of setting the sail so that it is at an optimum angle to the wind, (i.e. no flapping at the front, and tell tales flowing evenly off the rear of the sail).

Two or more sails are frequently combined to maximise the smooth flow of air. The sails are adjusted to create a smooth laminar flow over the sail surfaces. This is called the "slot effect". The combined sails fit into an imaginary aerofoil outline, so that the most forward sails are more in line with the wind, whereas the more aft sails are more in line with the course followed. The combined efficiency of this sail plan is greater than the sum of each sail used in isolation.

More detailed aspects include specific control of the sail's shape, e.g.:

• reefing, or reducing the sail area in stronger wind  

• altering sail shape to make it flatter in high winds  

• raking the mast when going upwind (to tilt the sail towards the rear, this  being more stable)  

• providing sail twist to cope with gusty conditions

Heeling
When a boat rolls over to one side under wind pressure, it's called 'heeling'. As a sailing boat heels over beyond a certain angle, it begins to sail less efficiently. Several forces can counteract this movement.

• The buoyancy of that part of the hull which is being submerged tends to  bring the boat upright.  

• Raising the centreboard can paradoxically increase leeway, and therefore  reduce heeling.  

• A weighted keel, which can in larger boats be canted from side to side,  provides additional force to right the boat.

• The crew may move onto the high (upwind) side of the boat, called hiking,  changing the centre of gravity significantly in a small boat. They can trapeze where the boat is designed for this (see Dinghy sailing).  

• The underwater shape of the hull relative to the sails can be designed to  make the boat tend to turn upwind when it heels excessively: this reduces the  force on the sails, and allows the boat to right itself. This is known as rounding up.  

• The boat can be turned upwind to produce the same effect.  

• Wind can be spilled from the sails by 'sheeting out', i.e. loosening the  sail.  

• The sail shape can be altered to reduce its efficiency e.g. tightening the  downhaul (see list of nautical  terms)  

• Lastly, as the boat rolls farther over, wind spills from the top of the  sail.

Most of the above effects can be used to right a heeling boat and to keep the boat sailing efficiently: if however the boat heels beyond a certain point of stability, it can capsize. A boat is said to have capsized when the tip of the mast is in the water.

Sailing safety

First and foremost:

1. Stay on the boat  

2. Wear a life vest  

3. Learn to swim  

4. Learn how to recover someone who has fallen overboard

Sailing requires respect for the risks of being on the water. All sailors therefore should be sensibly prepared. Most jurisdictions have certain minimum regulations that must be met as to equipment. When engaged in publicly organized activities they may be required to take additional precautions, as detailed by the authority which regulates the training or racing.

Safety measures may include:

• Appropriate floatation aids, including life preservers  

• Provision of a safety boat for rescue purposes  

• Appropriate first-aid and firefighting equipment  

• Carry a knife suitable for cutting rigging or netting in an emergency  

• Install jacklines and use them to  secure the crew to the vessel.  

• Ensure visibility, use the required running lights and mount at least one  radar reflector.

Man Overboard
For more details on this topic, see Man overboard .
Aside from what may be required by law or a sailing organization, real safety on the water comes from an informed awareness of risks involved and the exercise of reasonable steps to avoid dangers. A Man overboard situation is likely to be life threatening for any of several related reasons since the most likely cause is rough waters and weather conditions. These degrade the ability to maneuver easily, result in vastly different rates of drift caused by both wind and current to the boat and the unwilling swimmer, and in rough weather the reduced visibility makes fast and sure immediate action to be paramount as it is easy to lose sight of the swimming person. In many waters, including inland Lakes, hypothermia can be a major threat to life, so quick recovery of unwilling swimmers can be life-saving. This requires practice and situational awareness.

• For sailing : Understanding and practice of man overboard procedures  such as the Figure 8 or Quick turn and/or the   LifeSling technique .  

• for power boats : (Or sailboats maneuvering under (auxiliary engine)  power, not sails) Understanding and practice of man overboard procedures such  as the Anderson turn, the Williamson turn, and  the Scharnow turn  is also  helpful.
  
  Rules of the road
  Also, know the 'rules of the road':

• Port tack gives way to Starboard tack (when the paths of two boats on  opposite tacks cross, the boat with its port side to windward must give way)  

• Windward gives way to the leeward, or downwind boat (if on the same tack)  

• Overtaking boat gives way if above do not apply  

• Non-Commercial Powerboats usually give way to sailboats (but be careful in  shipping lanes, and use common sense)  

• It is everybody's responsibility to avoid a collision, and avoiding action  must be taken if these rules are ignored.
  

Sailing hulls and hull shapes

Sailing boats can have one, two, or three hulls. Boats with one hull are known as monohulls, while those with two or more are known as multihulls. Multihulls can be further subdivided into catamarans (two hulls), and trimarans  (three hulls). A sailing boat is turned by a rudder which itself is controlled by a tiller or a wheel. Smaller sailing boats often have a stabilising, raisable, underwater fin called a centreboard (or daggerboard); larger sailing boats have a fixed (or sometimes canting) keel. As a general rule, the former are called dinghies, the latter yachts. However, up until the adoption of the Racing Rules of Sailing, any vessel racing under sail was considered a yacht, be it a multi-masted ship-rigged vessel (such as a sailing frigate), a sailboard (more commonly referred to as a windsurfer) or remote-controlled boat, or anything in between. (see Dinghy sailing)

Multihulls use flotation and/or weight positioned away from the centre line of the sailboat to counter the force of the wind. This is in contrast to heavy ballast that can make up to 1/3 of the weight of a monohulled sailboat. In the case of a standard catamaran there are two similarly sized and shaped narrow hulls connected by beams which are sometimes overlaid by a deck superstructure. Another catamaran variation is the proa. In the case of trimarans, which have an unballasted centre hull similar to a monohull, two relatively smaller amas are situated parallel to the centre hull to resist the sideways force of the wind. The advantage of multihulled sailboats is that they do not suffer the performance penalty of having to carry heavy ballast, and their relatively smaller hulls reduce the amount of drag caused by friction and inertia when moving through the water.

Types of sails and layouts

A traditional modern yacht is technically called a "Bermuda sloop" (sometimes a "Bermudan sloop"). A sloop is any boat that has only a single mast. The Bermuda designation refers to the fact that the sail which has its forward edge (the "luff") against the mast (the main sail) is a sail roughly triangular in shape. Addionally, Bermuda sloops only have a single sail behind the mast. Other types of sloops are gaff-rigged sloops and lateen sloops. Gaff-rigged sloops have quadrilateral mainsails with a gaff  (a small boom) at their upper edge (the "head" of the sail). Gaff-rigged vessels may also have another sail, called a topsail, above the gaff. Lateen sloops have triangular sails with the upper edge attached to a gaff, and the lower edge attached to the boom, and the boom and gaff are attached to each other via some type of hinge. It is also possible for a sloop to be square rigged (having large square sails like a Napoleonic Wars-era ship of the line. Note that a "sloop of war," in the naval sense, may well have more than one mast, and is not properly a sloop by the modern meaning.

If a boat has two masts, it may be either a schooner, a ketch, or a yawl, if it is rigged fore-and-aft on all masts. A schooner may have any number of masts provided the second from the front is the tallest (called the "main mast"). In both a ketch and a yawl, the foremost mast is tallest, and thus the main mast, while the rear mast is shorter, and called the mizzen mast. The difference between a ketch and a yawl is that in a ketch, the mizzen mast is forward of the rudderpost (the axis of rotation for the rudder), while a yawl has its mizzen mast behind the rudderpost. In modern parlance, a brigantine is a vessel whose forward mast is rigged with square sails, while her after mast is rigged fore-and-aft. A brig is a vessel with two masts both rigged square.

As one gets into three or more masts the number of combinations rises and one gets barques, barquentines, and full-rigged ships.

A spinnaker is a large, full sail that is only used when sailing off wind either reaching or downwind, to catch the maximum amount of wind.

See also Sail and sail-plan.

Sailing terminology

Sailors use many traditional nautical terms for the parts of or directions on a vessel; starboard (right), port (left), forward or fore (front), aft (rearward), bow (forward part of the hull), stern (aft part of the hull), beam (the widest part). Vertical spars are masts, horizontal spars are booms (if they can hit you), gaffs (if they're too high to reach) or poles (if they can't hit you).

Rope and lines

Rope is the term used only for raw material; once a section of rope is designated for a particular purpose on a vessel, it generally is called a line, as in outhaul line or dock line . A very thick line is considered a cable. Lines that are attached to sails to control their shapes are called sheets , as in mainsheet (line that controls the mainsail) or spinnaker sheets.

Lines (generally steel cables) that support masts are stationary and are collectively known as a vessel's standing rigging, and individually as shrouds or stays (the stay running forward from a mast to the bow is called the forestay or headstay ).

Moveable lines that control sails or other equipment are known collectively as a vessel's running rigging. Lines that raise sails are called halyards while those that strike them are called downhauls or cunninghams . Lines that adjust (trim) the sails are called sheets. These are often referred to using the name of the sail they control (such as main sheet , or jib sheet ). Sail trim may also be controlled with smaller lines attached to the forward section of a boom; such a line is called a vang , or a kicker in the United Kingdom.

Lines used to tie a boat up when alongside are called docklines , docking cables or mooring warps .

Some lines are referred to as ropes: A bell rope (to ring the bell), a bolt rope (attached to the edge of a sail for extra strength), a foot rope (on old square riggers for the sailors to stand on while reefing or furling the sails), and a tiller rope (to temporarily hold the tiller and keep the boat on course). A rode is what keeps an anchor attached to the boat when the anchor is in use. It may be chain, rope, or a combination of the two.

Other terms

Walls are called 'bulkheads' or 'ceilings', while the surfaces referred to as 'ceilings' on land are called 'overheads'. Floors are called 'soles' or 'decks'. The toilet is traditionally called the 'head', the kitchen is the 'galley'. Lines are rarely tied off, they are almost always 'made fast' or 'belayed.' Sails in different sail plans have unchanging names, however. For the naming of sails, see sail-plan.

Sailing terms have entered popular language in many ways. "Broken up" was the fate of a ship that hit a "rocky point" or was simply no longer wanted. "Poop" refers to the aftermost deck of a ship, taken from "puppis" the Latin word for "stern". "Pooped" refers to a wave breaking over the stern and filling the cockpit with water. "In the doldrums" referred to being becalmed, windless, especially in the narrow band of hot windless water "the doldrums", near the equator. "Adrift" meant literally that a ship's anchor had come loose, and the ship was out of control near land and therefore in serious danger. "Keel-hauled and hung out to dry." was the rather nasty process of attaching a sailor to a rope, and drawing him under the sailboat while underway, and then hanging him from a yard-arm (under his shoulders usually, not by his neck), where officers and crew could mock him. This was a particularly unpleasant punishment; apart from the risk of drowning, the sailor would be lacerated by the barnacles on the ship's hull.

Knots

Knots are one of the most important things that you need to learn before you start sailing. That being said, you will only need to learn a few knots and one in particular that is vital. The bowline is the absolute must have, essential knot. You could even get away with knowing only this knot. If you also know how to tie a clove hitch and a round turn and two half hitches you will be able to easily cope with all of the knot requirements on a boat. A competent grasp of knot-tying, however, will include mastery of the:

• • bowline  

  • clove hitch

  • round turn  and two half hitches

  • rolling hitch

  • figure of eight

  • reef  knot

  • sheet  bend 
    

  Even the most experienced sailors can forget their knots if they are not performed on a regular basis, that is why it is important to work on them all the time . If you are on a boat and you forget how to tie an important knot you can damage the boat or get hurt; you can also become very embarrassed when you’re asking someone how to tie a simple knot.
  

  • (Here are some of the most important knots for beginners to learn)
    

  Sailing regulations

  There are three very basic rules for avoiding a collision at sea:
  

  1. Port gives way to starboard.  

  2. The more maneuverable vessel gives way to the less maneuverable vessel. It  is generally assumed that this means that power gives way to sail, but this is  not normally the case. It is always prudent for a small sailing vessel to stay  out of the way of large ships by making an early and obvious turn out of the  way.  

  3. If a collision is imminent both vessels must take immediate avoiding  action even if they have the right of way according to normal rules. This  means that if you have the right of way and a collision appears imminent that  you must take avoiding action. Not to do so, if you have the opportunity, may  make you the guilty party at an inquiry.
     

  This first point means that boats that are on a possible collision course with boats approaching on their starboard bow give way. On sailing boats this extended to boats that have their sails set for a breeze coming from the left hand side of the boat (port) must give way to boats that have their sails set for a breeze coming from the right side of the boat (starboard). If both boats have their sails set on the same side of the boat, then the boat closer to where the wind is coming from (the windward boat) must give way to the leeward boat.
  
  However there are many other rules besides and sailors are expected to know the essentials of boating safety which include;
  

  • The "rules of the road" or International  Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGS) set forth by the International  Maritime Organization are particularly relevant to sailors because of  their limited maneuverability compared to powered vessels.  

  • The IALA International  Association of Lighthouse Authorities standards for lateral marks , lights,  signals, and buoyage and various rules designed to support safe navigation.  

  • The SOLAS (Safety of Life at Sea) regulations place the obligations for  safety on the owners and operators of any boat. These regulations specify the  safety equipment needed and emergency procedures to be used.  

  • When racing, all sailing vessels are expected to follow the Racing Rules of  Sailing  promulgated by the International  Sailing Federation  as well as any prescriptions (additional rules) given  by the national governing body. When a boat that is racing encounters one that  is not, the racing boat must comply with the International Regulations for  Preventing Collisions at Sea with respect to the non-racing boat.
    
    

  Sailboat racing
  

  Sailboat racing ranges from single person dinghy racing to large boats with 10 or 20 crew and from small boats costing a few hundred dollars to multi-million dollar Americas Cup or Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race campaigns. The costs of participating in the high end large boat competitions make this type of sailing one of the most expensive sports in the world. However, there are relatively inexpensive ways to get involved in sailboat racing, such as at community sailing clubs, and in some relatively inexpensive dinghy and small catamaran classes. Additionally many high schools and colleges offer sailboat racing programs through the Inter-Scholastic Sailing Association and the Intercollegiate Sailing Association. Under these conditions, sailboat racing can be comparable to or less expensive than sports such as golf and skiing. Sailboat racing is one of the few sports in which people of all ages can regularly compete with and against each other.
  
  Most sailboat racing is done in sheltered coastal or inland waters. However, in terms of endurance and risk to life, ocean races such as the Volvo Ocean Race, the solo VELUX 5 Oceans Race, and the non-stop solo Vendée Globe, rate as some of the most extreme and dangerous sporting events. Not only do participants compete for days with little rest, but an unexpected storm, a single equipment failure, or collision with an ice floe could result in the sailboat being disabled or sunk hundreds or thousands of miles from search and rescue.
  
  The sport of Sailboat racing is governed by the International Sailing Federation (ISAF), and the rules under which competitors race are the Racing Rules of Sailing, which can be found on the ISAF web site.
  

  Sailing traditions and etiquette

  There are many more esoteric, etiquette rules, traditions, and customs that will demonstrate to others advanced knowledge of boating protocol. Fenders should be pulled up outside ports, a boat should fly the flag of its nation of registry, the flag of a host country should be flown from the starboard yardarm, flags are to be taken down at night, boats are to be referred to as female, a boat should not be named twice, bananas are bad luck aboard sailing vessels, nothing should be deposited into the head (toilet to landlubbers) that has not been digested at least once, etc.
  

  International Sailing Federation Classifications of Competition Sailing
  

  ISAF Classes
  Olympic Classes
  470,  49ER, FINN, LASER, LASER RADIAL, NEIL PRYDE RS:X,  STAR, TORNADO, YNGLING

  
  International Centreboard Boat Class Associations
  14 FOOT DINGHY, 29ER, 420, 470, 49ER, 505, CADET, CONTENDER, ENTERPRISE, EUROPE, FINN, FIREBALL, FLYING DUTCHMAN, FLYING JUNIOR, LASER, Laser 4.7, LASER II, LASER RADIAL, LIGHTNING, MIRROR, MOTH, OK DINGHY, OPTIMIST, SNIPE, SPLASH, SUNFISH, TOPPER, VAURIEN, ZOOM 8
  

  International Keelboat Class Associations
  11 METRE, 12 METRE, 2.4 METRE, 5.5 METRE, 6 METRE, 8 METRE, ACCESS 2.3, DRAGON, ETCHELLS, FLYING FIFTEEN, H-BOAT, J/22, J/24, MELGES 24, OPEN 60 MONOHULL, STAR, TEMPEST, YNGLING
  

  International Multihull Class Associations
  A-CATAMARAN, DART 18, FORMULA 18, HOBIE 14, HOBIE 16, HOBIE 17, HOBIE 18, HOBIE TIGER, TORNADO

  International Windsurfing Class Associations
  FORMULA WINDSURFING, FUNBOARD, MISTRAL, MISTRAL JUNIOR, RACEBOARD

  
  Recognized Class Associations
  60 MULTIHULL, ACCESS 303, B14, BYTE, FARR 40, FORMULA EXPERIENCE, HOBIE DRAGOON, J/80, MICRO, MUMM 30, NACRA F18, NEIL PRYDE RS:X, OPEN 50 MONOHULL, PLATU 25, RS FEVA, SONAR, SWAN 45, TASAR, TECHNO 293, TOPCAT K1, X99
  

  Classic Yacht Classes
   GP14, IOD, SHARK

Classes  of sailing dinghies, scows, sharpies and skiffs (worldwide list) 
29er, 420("Four-twenty"), 470 ("Four-seventy"), 49er, 505 ("Five-oh-five"), Albacore, ASC, Australian Sharpie, Blue Jay, Bosun, Buccaneer 18, Byte, Cadet, Cherub, Comet, Contender, Coypu, Day  Sailer, El Toro, Enterprise, Escape,Europe, Fatty  Knees, Finn, Fireball, Firefly, Flying  Dutchman, Flying Junior, Flying  Scot, GP14, Graduate, Heron, Highlander, Hornet, Idle-Along, International  Fourteen, 18ft Skiff, Javelin, Jersey Skiff, Jollyboat,Lark, Laser, Laser Radial, Laser  4.7, Laser 2,Laser  2000, Laser 3000, Laser 4000, Laser  5000,Laser Pico, Laser SB3, Lightning, Manly Junior, Merlin  Rocket, Mirror, Mistral  (Des Townson), Musto Skiff, Mutineer 15, National  12, O'Day DaySailer, OK Dinghy, Optimist, Osprey, Otter, P  Class, Pirate, Puddle Duck  Racer, Puffin  pacer, RS200, RS300, RS400, RS500, RS600, RS700, RS800, RS  Feva, RS Vareo, Sabot, Sabre, Sea Bright, Scow (A, C, E, MC,  M16, 17), Snipe, Solo, Spiral, Sport  14, Sport  16, Streaker, Laser Stratos, Sunfish, Tauranga, Thames  A Class Rater, Thistle, Topper, Topper  Topaz, Twinkles  10 & 12, Vanguard 15, Wanderer, Wayfarer, Y flyer, Z  Class (aka Zeddie, Takapuna), Zephyr (Des  Townson), Zoom  8

 
 Classes of Keelboats (Worldwide List)  
10  Metre, 11 Metre, 12 Metre, 2.4 Metre, 5  Metre, 5.5 Metre, 6  Metre, 8  Metre, Aloha, Antrim  27, Catalina Yachts, Catalina 30, Colin Archer, Contessa  32, Dragon, Etchells, Farr  40, Fife, Flying  Fifteen, Folkboat, Freedom Yachts, Guppy 13, H-boat, Hallberg-Rassy, International  806, International  Americas Cup Class, IOD, J/22, J/24, J-Class, Kendall  32, Knarr, Laser SB3, Maxi  Yacht, Melges 24, Monark  540, Moore 24, Open  50 Monohull, Open  60 Monohull, Pearson Triton, Ross 930, San Juan 24, Sea Sprite 34, Shields, Soling, Sonar, Soverel  33, Squib, Star, Stella, Sydney  38, Tartan Ten, Tempest, Top  Hat 25, Triton, Vindö, Westsail 32, Yngling

 
 Classes and types of catamarans, trimarans and multihulls  (worldwide list)  
A-Catamaran, ARC  17, ARC  21, ARC  22, Beachcat, Dart 15, Dart  16, Dart  18, Dragonfly 800, Formula  16, Formula  18, Hobie, Mystere, Proa, RC  27, RC  30, Taipan 4.9, Tornado, Open  Ocean Performance Sixties, Unicorn

When you go boating, don't forget to sport
a pair of SeaSpecs! They help block out harmful UVA and UVB rays that can
harm your eyes and reduce tons of glare off of that crystal blue water
you'll be flyin' on!

Sailing Definitions:

Aback(backwind) - The sail filling on wrong side in the case of sq rigger may cause the ship to back up.
Abaft towards the stern.
Abeam  At right angles to the keel of the boat, but not on the boat.
Able bodied seamen - A member of the deck crew who is able to perform all the duties of an experienced seamen; certificated by examination; must have three years sea service. Also called Able Seamen and A.B.
ABS - American Bureau of Shipping: A U.S.-based private classification, or standards setting society for merchant ships and other marine systems.
Aboard -On or within the boat.
About - on the other tack
Above Deck -On the deck
Abrest - Along side or at right to
Abyss- That volume of ocean lying below 300 fathoms from surface.
Admeasure- Formal measurement of a boat for documentation.
Admiralty law The "law of the sea."
Adrift- Floating free with the currents and tide, not under control. A rope may be adrift  if comes out place.
Aft - At, near or towards the stern
After bow spring line- A mooring line fixed to the bow of the boat and leading aft where it is attached to the dock. This prevents the boat from moving forward in its berth. Its opposite, the forward quarter spring line, is used to keep the boat from moving aft in its berth
.Against the Sun-Anti-clockwise circular motion. Left-handed ropes are coiled against the sun.
Aground -Touching or fast to the bottom. .
Aid to navigation- Any fixed object that a navigator may use to find his position, such as permanent land or sea markers, buoys, radiobeacons, and lighthouses.
Altar - Step in a dry dock
Aloft - up above the deck, up the mast or in the rigging
Alongside - Close beside a ship, wharf or jetty.
"Ahoy" - seaman's call to attract attention
America's Cup: The America’s Cup, dating from 1851, is the oldest trophy in is considered yacht racing’s Holy Grail.
Amas- The outboard hulls of a trimaran.
Amidships - In the middle of the ship
Anchor - A hook which digs in to the bottom to keep the ship from drifting  2) The act of using an anchor
Anchorage-A sheltered place or area where a boat can anchor.
Anchor Ball - A black ball visible in all direction display in the forward part of a vessel at anchor.
Anchor bend- A type of knot used to fasten an anchor to its line.
Anchor Chain A chain attached to the anchor. The chain acts partially as a weight to keep the anchor lying next to the ground so that it can dig in better.
Anchor Chocks- Deck fitting for storing anchor.
Anchor Detail- Crew at the bow to handle the ground tackle
Anchor Ice-Ice, of any form, that is aground in the sea.
Anchor Light - A white light visible in all direction display in the forward part of a vessel at anchor.
Anchor Locker-Storage space used for the anchor rode and anchor.
Anchor Watch - A member or members of the crew that keep watch and check the drift of ship
Anchor Pocket A recess in the bow for storing anchor
Anchor windlass- A windlass used to assist when raising the anchor
ANTI-TRIP CHINE- A flared out aft section of the side/bottom of the boat. The purpose is to prevent the hard chine of the boat catching a wake or small wave on a sharp turn.
Anemometer- A device that measures wind velocity.
Apeak: Said of anchor when cable is taut and vertical.
Apparent Wind-- the direction of the wind as is relative to the speed and direction of the boat
ASPECT RATIO - The relationship between the height of a sail and its breadth. i.e. A sail with a height of 30' and a breadth of 20' has an aspect ratio of 3:2 .A tall and narrow sail is said to have a high Aspect ratio.
Astern - behind the boat
Athwart: Across. Transversely.
Athwartships -At right angles to the centerline of the boat; rowboat seats are generally athwart ships.
A-trip: Said of anchor immediately it is broken out of the ground.
Auger A carpenter's tool boat builders use for boring holes in wood.
- A second method of propelling a vessel. On a sailboat this could be a engine.
Avast! - The command to stop, or cease, in any operation.
Aweigh-  To raise an anchor off the bottom.
Awash - Water washing over.
Awning. - A covering of canvas spread over the decks of the ship, or over a boat, 'in hot weather, to protect the officers and crew from the heat of the sun. That part of the poop-deck which . is continued forward beyond the bulk-head of the cabin, is also called the awning.

 

Back- To back an anchor is to carry out a smaller one ahead of the one by which the vessels rides to take off some of the strain.
Backstay HYPERLINK "http://www.schoonerman.com/sailingterms/StandingRiggingMerchantShip.htm" - Mast support running to aft deck or another mast.
Backslice- A method of weaving the end of a rope to keep it from unraveling.
Backstaff a navigation instrument used to measure the apparent height of a landmark whose actual height is known, such as the top of a lighthouse. From this information, the ship's distance from that landmark can be calculated.
Backwinded- When the wind pushes on the wrong side of the sail, causing it to be pushed away from the wind. If the lines holding the sail in place are not released, the boat could become hard to control and heel excessively
Bail - Ironrod partially circling the boom to which sheet block is attached 2 To remove water from a boat, as with a bucket or a pump.
Baldheaded Schooner HYPERLINK "http://www.schoonerman.com/sailingterms/baldheaded_schooner.htm" A schooner without topsails.
Baggywrinkle - chafing gear made from old ropes
Ballast-Is either pigs of iron, stones, or gravel, which last is called single ballast; and their use is to bring the ship down to her bearings in the water which her provisions and stores will not do. Trim the ballast, that is spread it about, and lay it even, or runs over one side of the hold to the other
Bar-shallow water usually made of sand or mud, usually running parallel to the shore. Bars are caused by wave and current action,
Bare Poles  A sailing vessel in a storm carrying no sail 
Barratry- Any wrongful act knowingly done by the master to the detriment of the owner of either ship or cargo; done without knowledge or consent of owner .
Barge A long, narrow, light boat, employed to carry the principal sea officers, such as admirals and captains of ships of war, to shore.2A long vessel with a flat bottom used to carry freight on rivers. Barges are usually not powered, being pushed or towed by a tugboat instead
Bare Poles- Condition of a vessel  when she has no sails set.
Bark-3 Masted with Sq rigged on fore and main mast
Barge - A long vessel with a flat bottom used to carry freight on rivers. Barges are usually not powered, being pushed or towed by a tugboat instead.
Barnacle-A shell-fish often attached to the submerged parts of a vessel.
Barque: Sailing vessel with three or more masts: fore and aft rigged on aftermast, square rigged on all others.
Barkentine-3 Masted with Sq rigged on fore mast only
Barograph-- An instrument used to keep a record of atmospheric pressure, such as on a paper drum
Barometric pressure- Atmospheric pressure as measured by a barometer.
Batten - a short piece of wood or plastic inserted in a sail to keep it taut
Batten pockets-- Pockets in a sail where battens can be placed to stiffen the sail.
Batten down-Secure hatches and loose objects both within the hull and on deck.
Beacon -A lighted or unlighted fixed aid to navigation attached directly to the earth's surface.
Beam - The widest part of the boat.
Beams Ends- Vessel said to be "on her beam ends" when she is lying over so much that her deck beams are nearly vertical. Method used to repair or paint hull before drydocks.
Beam reach - a point of sail where the boat is sailing at a right angle to the wind
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.
Beaufort wind scale- A method of measuring the severity of the force of wind, named after Admiral Beaufort who created the system. 0 is no wind, whereas 12 would be a hurricane.
Bear Off- To thrust away; to hold off. 2 to steer  off wind, shore or approaching object.
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
Bear Up- to steer up to the eye of the wind, shore or object.
Beckets-  Short ropes used in several parts of a ship, to confine large ropes,  or to hang up the weather sheets and lee tacks of "the main and fore-sail to the foremost main and fore " shrouds. The noose made at the breast of a block, to make fast the standing part of a fall to, is also called a Becket. (1'1. 2, fig.
Belay - Change order; - To make a line secure to a pin, cleat or bitt.
Belay pin - Iron or wood pin fitted into railing to secure lines to.
Below -Beneath the deck
Bend HYPERLINK "http://www.schoonerman.com/sailingterms/Bents%20knots%20and%20Riggings.htm" - to fasten one line to another
Berth-(1) A place for a person to sleep. (2) A place where the ship can be secured. (3) A safe and cautious distance, such as
Bible- A large Holystone
Bight - any part of the rope between the two end.
Bilge- The lowest part of the interior hull below the waterline
Bilge Pump-A mechanical, electrical, or manually operated pump used to remove water from the bilge.
Binnacle A wooden case or box, which contained compasses, log-glasses, watch-glasses and lights to show the compass at night.
Bitter end - the final inboard end of chain or line
Bitt - A vertically posted above deck used to secure line.
Blackbirder - Was the name for ship engaged in the slave trade in the 1800s.
Blanket - To take the wind  out of another boat sail by moving to his windward. 
Block - A pulley used to gain mechanical advantage,
Block and tackle - A combination of one or more blocks and the associated tackle necessary to give a mechanical advantage.
Bluewater sailing - open ocean sailing, as opposed to being in a lake or sound
Bobstaycable,chain or rod holding down the end of the bowsprit.
Boat -A fairly indefinite term. A waterborne vehicle smaller than a ship. One definition is a small craft carried aboard a ship.
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.
Boatswain-- Also bosun, bos'n, bo's'n, and bo'sun, all of which are pronounced bosun. A crew member responsible for keeping the hull, rigging and sails in repair
Boatswain Chair - A board rigged with tackle that a crew member can be hoisted aloft.
Bolt rope- A line rope - sewn into the luff of a sail. The bolt rope fits in a notch in the mast or other spar when the sail is raised.
Bollard - Vertical post on dock for securing lines.
Bone in her teeth -- sailing well underway such that spray is thrown out at the stem of the boat
Boom: - a horizontal spar attached to the bottom edge of of a sail, riding on the mast and controlled by sheet.
Boomkin - A spar projecting from the stern to which is attached a backstay or sheet.
Boom Vang -Any system used to hold the boom down. This is useful for maintaining proper sail shape, particularly when running or on a broad reach.
Boot stripe -- a different color strip of paint at the waterline
Boot Top- A painted line, just above the waterline
Bow - The forward part of the vessel.
Bow line -A docking line leading from the bow.
Bow spring line - A bow pivot line used in docking and undocking, or to prevent the boat from moving forward or astern while made fast to a pier.
Bowline - A knot use to form an eye or loop at the end of a rope.
Bowsprit: - a long spar attached to the Jibboom in the bow; used to secure head sails.
Brace- A rope from the deck to  the end of the  yardarm use to swing yard or trim the Square sail.
Breaking the line - the action of passing one fleets line through the enemy's, with the object of destroying his unity 
Breaker-- A wave that approaches shallow water, causing the wave height to exceed the depth of the water it is in, in
Breast line-- A line attached laterally from a boat to a dock, preventing movement away from the dock.
Breeches buoy-A  circular lifebuoy  used in days now past  by lifesaving crews to extract persons from wrecked vessels, usually fired from a cannon onto the deck of the wrecked vessel.
Bridge -The location from which a vessel is steered and its speed controlled. "Control Station" is really a more appropriate term for small craft.
Brig- is a two-masted vessel with both masts square rigged. On the sternmost mast, the main mast, there is also a gaff sail
Brigantine- is a two-masted vessel fore mast being square rigged
Bright work - varnished woodwork or polished metal
Broach - a turning or swinging of the boat that puts the beam of the boat against the waves, creating a danger of swamping or capsizing
Broad reach - a point of sail where the boat is sailing away from the wind, but not directly downwind
Bugeye Oyster -Chesapeake Bay Oyster dredging boat that was made from either logs or planks had raked masts ketch rigged
Bulkhead - Below deck walls within vessel
Bull Rope: A rope used for hoisting a topmast or topgallant mast in a square rigged ship. 
Bulward - Solid rail along ship side above deck to prevent men and gear from going overboard
Bung - A round wood plug inserted in hole to cover a nail scre or bolt.
Bunk: - a sleeping berth.
Bunker-A storage compartment aboard a ship for coal or other fuel
BuoyA floating navigation aid.
Buoyage: The act of placing buoys. 2. Establishment of buoys and buoyage systems. Applied collectively to buoys placed or established.
Buntline- Alternative name for brails.
Buoyancy- Degree of floatability
Burdened Vessel - That vessel which, according to the applicable Navigation Rules, must give way to the privileged vessel.
Burgee-- A type of flag used to identify a boater's affiliation
Burthen- A older term used to express a ship's carrying capacity
By the Board: Overboard and by the ship's side.
By the Head: bow lower then stern
By the Lee - sailing with the wind coming from behind, and slightly to the side, that the sails are on.
By the Stern- stern lower then bow
By the Wind-  closehauled to wind

Cabin -A compartment for passengers or crew.
Cabin sole -the bottom surface of the enclosed space under the deck of a boat
Cable - The rope or chain made fast to the anchor. 2 .Nautical unit of distance, having a standard value of 1/10th of a nautical mile (608 ft.) or 100 fathoms.
Cable-bitt - Large vertical timbers, morticed into the keel, to which anchor and mooring cables were attached.
Cardinal points- The points of North, South, East and West as marked on a compass rose.
Carlins- Structural pieces running fore and aft between the beams.
Carrick bend- A knot used to tie two lines together.
Carvel planking - Solid wood planks, butted together, fastened to the frames, with a flexible caulking between the planks.
Catamaran- A twin hulled boat. Catamaran sailboats are known for their ability to plane and are faster than single hulled boats (monohulls) in some conditions.
HYPERLINK "http://www.schoonerman.com/sailingterms/cat_boat.htm" Cat Boat A sailboat rigged with one mast and one sail.
Chafe - damage to a line caused by rubbing against another object
Chafe gear -- gear used to prevent damage by rubbing
Chronmeter - Ships clock
Cam cleat- A mechanical cleat used to hold a lineline automatically. It uses two spring loaded cams that come together to clamp their teeth on the line,
Camber-The arch or slope deck , usually higher in the center so the water can drain off Also known as round of beam
Camel - Hollow vessel of iron, steel or wood, that is filled with water and sunk under a vessel. When water is pumped out, the buoyancy of camel lifts ship. Usually employed in pairs. At one time were usual means of lifting a vessel over a bar or sandbank. 2.  wooden float  use between dock and ship.
Can Bouy - A cylindrical buoy painted green and having an odd number used in the United States as a navigational aid
Can Hooks - Two flat hooks running freely on a wire or chain sling. Hooks are put under chime of casks, weight is taken on chain sling or wire. Weight of lift prevents unhooking.
Canal A manmade waterway used to connect bodies of water that do not connect naturally
Canoe stern - A pointed stern, such as those on a canoe
Canvas -- slang for sail. Originally sails were made of canvas.
Capstan: - the drum-like part of the windlass, which is a machine used for winding in rope, cables or chain connected to an anchor cargo.
Capsize -To turn over.
Captain- The person who is in charge of a vessel and legally responsible for it and its occupants.
Car - A sliding fitting that attaches to a track allowing for the adjustment of blocks or other devices attached to the car.
Cardinal points-The points of North, South, East and West as marked on a compass rose
Carline Wood stringer support for hatches and cabins
Carrick Bend-. - A knot used to tie two lines together
Cast Off - to release lines holding boat to shore or mooring, to release sheets.
Casting Line- A heaving line
Catamaran- A twin hulled boat.
Catboat- - A sailboat rigged with one mast and one sail
Catenary - The sag in a line strung between two points such as the anchor line.
Calk to fill wooden vessel seams with oakum and cotton using caulking irons and hammer
Caulking- Material used to seal the seams in a wooden vessel, making it watertigh.
Celestial navigation - to calculate your position using time, the position of celestial bodies, and mathematical tables
Centerboard - a fin shaped, often removable, board that extends from the bottom of the boat as a keel
Center line-- The imaginary line running from bow to stern along the middle of the boat.
Center of effort - The center of wind pressure on the sail plan
Checking - Longitudinal separation of the fibers in wood that do not go through the whole cross section. Checks result from tension stresses during the drying process.
Chafe - damage to a line caused by rubbing against another object
Chafe gear -- gear used to prevent damage by rubbing
Chain plate - A steel plate or bar by which the standing rigging is attached to the hull.
Chantey-  also Chanty or Shanty - A shipboard song, or chant primarily on merchant ships during heavy work, such as turning the capstan or hoisting a sail, to help coordinate the men's efforts and to pass the time.
Chandler- A dealer in provisions and equipment.
Channel -1. That part of a body of water deep enough for navigation through an area otherwise not suitable. It is usually marked by a single or double line of buoys and sometimes by range markers.2. The deepest part of a stream, bay, or strait, through which the main current flows.3. A name given to a large strait, for example, the English Channel.
Chart datum-- The water level used to record data on a chartchart. Usually the average low tide water level.
Chart table- - A table designated as the area in the boat where the navigator will study charts and plot courses.
Chart -A map for use by navigators.
HYPERLINK "http://www.ucs.mun.ca/~andrew/shanty/" \t "main" Chanty - Shanties are the work songs that were used on the square-rigged ships of the Age of Sail. Their rhythms coordinated the efforts of many sailors hauling on lines
Charley noble: - galley stove-pipe
Check: To ease a rope a little, and then belay it..
Cheek block-- A block with one end permanently attached to a surface.such as on the sides of the mast.
Chine -The intersection of the bottom and sides of a flat or v-bottomed boat.
Chock -A fitting through which anchor or mooring lines are led. Usually U-shaped to reduce chafe
Chockablock-- When a line is pulled as tight as is can go, as when two blocks are pulled together. also know as "two blocks"
Chop-Small, steep disorderly waves.
HYPERLINK "http://www.schoonerman.com/sailingterms/horse.htm" \t "main" Cleat - A wood or metal fitting with two horn around which ropes are made fast.
Clevis Pin- A  metal pin used to attach fittings to each other or their mounts
Clew- Lower aft corner of the fore and aft sail or the lower corners of a sq sail.
Clipper bow - A bow where the stem has a forward curve and sides have a lot of flair. Also called a schooner bow.
Close hauled - sails and boom pulled in tight, enabling the boat to point as high as possible to the direction the wind is coming from
Close reach - Sailing with the wind coming from the direction forward of the beam of the boat. A close reach is the point of sail between a beam reach and close hauled.
Close Reef - To reduce the size to the last reef point giving the minimum sailing area. 
HYPERLINK "http://www.mistral.co.uk/42brghtn/knots/42ktclov.html" \t "main" Clove Hitch attach a rope to a pole, this knot provide a quick and secure result
HYPERLINK "http://www.schoonerman.com/clipper.htm" Clipper was first a generic name to describe a very fast sailing ship
Coaming -- the raised border around the cockpit, or a hatch to keep out water
Coaster- A vessel that keeps close to land.
Cockpit - the area, below deck level, that is somewhat more protected than the open deck, from which the tiller or wheel is handled
Coil - To lay a rope down in circular turns
Companionway -- staircase that leads to the cabin
Compass -Navigation instrument, either magnetic (showing magnetic north) or gyro (showing true north).
Compass Card -Part of a compass, the card is graduated in degrees, to conform with the magnetic meridian-referenced direction system inscribed with direction which remains constant; the vessel turns, not the card.
Compass rose -The resulting figure when the complete 360° directional system is developed as a circle with each degree graduated upon it, and with the 000° indicated as True North. Also called true rose. This is printed on nautical charts for determining direction.
Colors-The national flag and or other flags.
Cordage- Any rope or line
Course -- compass heading or the angle of the boat in sailing against the wind
Courtesy Flag- A smaller version of the flag of the country being visited. It is flown from the starboard spreader.
Cowl -The bell shape top of a ships or boats ventilator.
Cringle- A fitting in a sail that allows a line to fasten to it
Crosstrees - horizontal pieces of wood or metal that cross the mast up high, acting as spreaders for the topmast shrouds.
Crow's Nest - protected look-out position high on the foremast
Crutch - A support for a spar when spar is no in use.
Current-The horizontal movement of water.
Club footed jib - A jib with a boom or "club" on the foot of the sail.
Cutter- A sailboat with one mast and rigged a mainsail and two headsails. Also see sloop.
Cuddy -  A small compartment or cabin

Daggerboard - A blade shaped centerboard that is lifted out of a case when raised. Usually only suitable for small boats.
Daybeacon -A fixed navigation aid structure used in shallow waters upon which is placed one or more daymarks.
Daymark -A signboard attached to a daybeacon to convey navigational information presenting one of several standard shapes (square, triangle, rectangle) and colors (red, green, orange, yellow, or black). Daymarks usually have reflective material indicating the shape, but may also be lighted.
Davits: -small cranes, usually located aster, that are used to raise and lower smaller boats from the deck to the water.
Dead ahead -Directly ahead.
Dead astern-Directly aft or behind.
Dead reckoning-A calculation of determining position by using course speed last known position
HYPERLINK "http://www.schoonerman.com/sailingterms/deadeye.htm" \t "main" DEADEYE A block with three hole in use to receive  the laniard of  a shroud or a stay to adjust tension.
deadhead -- a floating log
Deck -A permanent covering over a compartment, hull or any part of a ship serving as a floor.
deck plate -- a metal plate fitting on the deck that can be opened to take on fuel or water
Deep-Vee - A hard chine power boat having a 15 degree or more angle deadrise at the transom.
Dinghy A small boat, usually carried on hauled behind a bigger boat
Displacement-The weight of the water displaced by the vessel.
Displacement hull- A type of hull that plows through the water, displacing a weight of water equal to its own weight, even when more power is added.
Displacement speed hull speed. The theoretical speed that a boat can travel without planing This speed is 1.34 times the length of a boat at its waterline.
Ditty bag: - a small bag for carrying or stowing all personal articles.
Ditty Box: Small wooden box, with lock and key, in which seamen of R.N. keep sentimental valuables, stationery, and sundry small stores.
Dock -A protected water area in which vessels are moored. The term is often used to denote a pier or a wharf.
Dodger A wind or water screen many time of canvas to protect  the watch from the weather
Dog - Lever like handles found on hatches and bulkhead  doors when turned force the unit to be water tight . OR V.  Tightly secure a hatch or porthole.
Dog Watch-Half watches of two hours each, from 4 to 6 and from 6 to 8 P.M. to prevent a person from standing the same watch every day.
Dorade-A horn type of vent designed to let air into a cabin and keep water out.
Dory-Small, flat-bottomed rowing boats manned by one or two fishermen. Used for cod-fishing off Newfoundland. The name is derived from the Portuguese pescadores meaning fishermen
DOUBLE HEADSAIL RIG - Two sails forward of the mast as in a cutter.
Downhaul-A rope used to haul down jibs, staysails and studding sails.
Double Sheetbend -Join small to medium size rope. 
douse To drop a sail quickly
Draft-The depth of water required float a vessel
Drift- A vessel leeway

Ease -To slacken or relieve tension on a line.
Ease Sheet-To let the sheet out slowly loosen a line while maintaining control,
Ebb -- tide passing from high to low, with the current going out to sea
Egyptian Galley - Sailing and rowing vessel on the Nile river 1600 B.C.
El Niño -- a warm inshore current annually flowing south along the coast of Ecuador. About every seven to ten years it extends down the coast of Peru , where it has a devastating effect.
EPIRB   Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon. An emergency device that uses a radio signal to alert satellites or passing airplanes to a vessel's position.
Even keel -When a boat is floating on its designed waterline, it is said to be floating on an even keel.
Eye splice-A splice causing a loop in the end of a line, by braiding the end into itself or similar methods.
Eye of the wind-The direction that the wind is blowing from.

Fairlead -a means of leading a rope in the most convenient way 2. a fitting used to change the direction of a line without chafing
Fall-The hauling part of the tackle to which power is applied.
Fake- One circle of a coil or rope. To coil or arrange a rope ornamentally with each fake flat, or almost flat, on the deck, usually in a circle or figure-of-eight pattern.
Fantail-Rear or aft overhang of vessel.
Fast -Said of an object that is secured to another.
Fathom-Measurement of six feet.
Fender-cushions used over the side to protect a vessel from chafing when alongside another vessel or dock
Fetch-
The distance that wind and seas (waves) can travel toward land without being blocked. In areas without obstructions the wind and seas can build to great strength, but in areas such as sheltered coves and harbors the wind and seas can be quite calm. Fetch is also used to describe the act of sailing to a location accurately and without having to tack.
Fid -A pointed tool used to separate strands of rope.
Fiddle-A small rail on tables and counters used to keep objects from sliding off when heeled or in heavy seas.
Field Day - Time set aside for cleaning
Fife Rail-A rail around the mast with hole for belaying pins
Figurehead - carved figure on the front of the ship
Figure Eight knot - A stopper knot for the end of the rope
fix -- the determined boat's position
Flake to- To lay a rope or chain upand down on the deck so the whole length is exposed.
Flame arrester -A safety device, such as a metal mesh protector, to prevent an exhaust backfire from causing an explosion; operates by absorbing heat.
Flare -The outward curve of a vessel's sides near the bow. A distress signal
flood - incoming tidal current
flotsam -- floating items of a ship or its cargo at sea, floating debris.
Faking Line Box - Board with spindles along the end  to keep the line fair and prevent fouling when projectile is shot  is fired  from the Lyle Gun 
Flying bridge -An added set of controls above the level of the normal control station for better visibility. Usually open, but may have a collapsible top for shade.
fluke - the digging end of the anchor; also wind irregularity
Following Sea -An overtaking sea that comes from astern.
Fo’c’sle / fore castle The extreme forward compartment of the vessel
Foot - the bottom part of a sail.
Force 8 -- gale force wind on the Beaufort Wind Scale
Fore the forward part of the vessel
Foredeck - the forward part of a boat's main deck
Foremast: the mast in the forepart of a vessel, nearest the bow.
Foresail: - is set on the foremast of a schooner or the lowest square sail on the foremast of Sq riggers
Fore and aft -In a line parallel to the keel.
Forward -Toward the bow of the boat.
Fouled -Any piece of equipment that is jammed or entangled, or dirtied.
Founder -When a vessel fills with water and sinks. .
Frames: - the wooden ribs that form the shape of the hull.
Freeboard -The minimum vertical distance from the surface of the water to the gunwale
Fronts-Used in meteorology to describe bounderies between hot and cold air masses. This is typically where bad weather is found.
Futtock- A curved or vertical timber that fasten together make the ribs of the ship.
Full and by -A sailing ship with all sails set and full sailing close to the wind
Full keel-A keel that runs the length of the boat. Full keels have a shallower draft than fin keels.
Full-rigged-ship  a fully square rigged ship with three or more masts.
Fully battened -A sail having battens that run the full horizontal length of the sail.
Furl - to fold or roll a sail and secure it to its main support

Gaff: - a free-swinging spar attached to the top of the sail.
Gaff rigged Sloop
Gale--Force 8 on  the Beaufort wind scale 34 to 40 knots of wind.
Galley: - The kitchen of a ship.
Gallows- A frame used to rest the boom when the sail is down.
Gang Plank - Board or ramp used as a walkway from ship to dock
Gasket-Line used to secure a furled sail to the boom or yards.
Gear -A general term for ropes, blocks, tackle and other equipment
Genoa -- also known as genny, usually the biggest jib on the boat
Gentle Breeze--Force 3 on  the Beaufort wind scale 7 to 10 knots of wind.
Gibson Girl-- A portable radio transmitter used in life boats
Gimball -A device to suspend items, such as a compass or ships' stove, to keep it level.
Gimblet -To turn an anchor round by it's stock.
Give-way-vessel -A term, from the Navigational Rules, used to describe the vessel which must yield in meeting, crossing, or overtaking situations.
GMT -- Greenwich Meridian Time, also known as Universal Time or Zula Time
GPS- global positioning system; is a satellite-based radionavigation  used to determine position
Gooseneck-The fitting which secures the boom to the mast.
Grapnel-- a kind of  four pronged  anchor used to try to hook thing from the bottom
Great Circle - a course plotted on the surface of the globe that is the shortest distance between two points
Greek Galley HYPERLINK "http://www.schoonerman.com/sailingterms/greek_galley.htm"    Early sailing vessel 500bc 
Grog-- A mixture of rum and water which was rationed to the enlistment of the British navy.
Ground Tackle - A collective term for the anchor and anchor gear
Gudgeon-- A socket on the stern of the vessel on which the rudder's pintle fits in that hold the rudder to the vessel  
Gun Deck-- Any deck with guns  on most of the old sailing ship it was a enclosed deck below the main deck.
Gun layer- One who aims or lay a gun
Gunwale (gunnel)-The upper railing of a boat's side.
Gunkholing - Cruising in shoal water or overnighting in small coves.

Harbor -A safe anchorage, protected from most storms; may be natural or man-made, with breakwaters and jetties; a place for docking and loading.
Hard over - turning the wheel as far as possible
Halyards: - lines used to haul up the sail and the wooden poles (boom and gaff) that hold the sails in place.hanks -- metal hooks used to secure a sail to a stay; to hank on a sail is to hook it on a stay using the hanks
hard over -- turning the wheel as far as possible
harden up -- to steer closer to the wind, usually by pulling in on the sheets
Hatch:- an opening in the deck for entering below.
haul around -- change from a run to a reach
hawse hole-A hole in the hull for mooring lines to run through.
Head-ship toilet 2Also the upper corner of a triangular sail.
Head to Wind - the bow turned into the wind, sails luffing
Heading -The direction in which a vessel's bow points at any given time.
Heads up- watch out
Headsails: -any sail foreward of the foremast.
Headstay - a wire support line from the mast to the bow
Headway -The forward motion of a boat. Opposite of sternway
Heave to -To bring a vessel up in a position where it will maintain little or no headway, usually with the bow into the wind or nearly so.
Heel -To tip to one side. .
Helm-steering apparatus
Helmsman - the member of the crew responsible for steering
Hike - leaning out over the side of the boat to balance it
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.
Hoist - to raise aloft
Hold: - the space for cargo below the deck of the ship
HoggedA vessel whose bow and stern have dropped.
Hook- anchor
Horse/traveler-Metal or rope traveler to sheet a sail.
hull The main body of the boat, not including the deck,mast or cabin.
hull speed - the fastest a sailboat will go, usually dependent on length of the hull at the waterline the longer the faster
Hurricane-A strong tropical revolving storm of force 12(65 mph) or higher . Hurricanes in the northern hemisphere  revolve in a counterclockwise direction.
Hypothermia -- the loss of body heat -- is the greatest danger for anyone in the water. As the body loses its heat, body functions slow down. This can quickly lead to death.

 

Idler-  A crew man that does not stand watch
in irons- A sailboat with its bow pointed directly into the wind, preventing the sails from filling properly so that the boat can move
Inboard -More toward the center of a vessel; 2 a motor fitted inside the boat.
Irish Pennant- Any loose or unsecured line, or any fray line, flag or pendant.
Inspection Port - A watertight covering, that may be removed so the interior of the hull can be inspected or water removed
inverter -- electrical power converter; converts square-wave DC current to sine-wave AC current
I/O (Inboard/outboard)- A propulsion system that uses an inboard motor, mounted at the transom, with a propeller assembly, similar to the bottom of an outboard, mounted on the outside of the transom, bolting to the motor with the transom sandwiched between.
iron spinnaker -- auxiliary engine

Jack line-A strong line, or a wire stay running fore and aft along the sides of a boat to which a safety harness can be attached.
Jacobs ladder-A rope ladder.
Jettison: -to throw overboard.
Jetty-A man made structure projecting from the shore. Breakwater protecting a harbor entrance
Jib: - a triangular foresail in front of the foremast.
Jib Sheet The lines that lead from the clew of the jib.
Jibboom -Spar forward of bowsprit
Jibe. To go from one tack to the other when running with the wind coming over the stern
Jigger-Aft sail on the mizzen mast of a yawl or a ketch. After mast  (4th mast)on schooner or sailing ship carrying a spanker.
Jones John Paul-US (Scot.-born) naval officer & hero in American Revolution; as captain of ship
Junk-A native sailing vessel common to the Far East Seas

Kayak - A canoe type usual closed deck boat used for paddling 
Keckling. - Any old rope wound about a cable, to preserve the surface of it from chafing against the ship's bow or bottom. ( from  The Art of Rigging) 
Kedge -To use an anchor to move a boat by hauling on the anchor rode; a basic anchor type.
Keel: - centerline of a boat running fore and aft; the timber at the very bottom of the hull to which frames are attached.
Keel-haul-To drag a person backwards and forwards under a ship's keel, for certain offences.
Keel stepped -A mast that is stepped (placed) on the keel at the bottom of the boat rather than on the deck. Keel stepped masts are considered sturdier than deck stepped masts.
Ketch-Two-masted boats, the after mast shorter, but with a ketch the after mast is forward of the rudder post
Kevels.. -Two crooked pieces of timber, whose lower ends rest
in a step, or foot, nailed to the ship's sides; the head branches out
like horns, to belay the ropes to. from  The Art of Rigging) 
King spoke-Marked top spoke on a wheel when the rudder is centered.
Kinking  - The curling up of a rope when twisted too hard, or drawn hastily out of the coil. from  The Art of Rigging) 
Knees-Supporting braces used for strength when two parts are joined. 
Knittles or nettles- are small lines, composed of two or . three ropeyarns, either plaited or twisted, and used for various purposes at sea, particularly to, fasten the service on the cable; to reef the sails by'" the bottom) and to sling the sailors' ham- mocks between decks. Knittle is also a name given to the loops, or buttons of a bonnet; likewise to bend the'square-sails to the jack-stays, in lieu of rope-bands. ( from  The Art of Rigging) 
Knockabout: - a type of schooner without a bowsprit.
Knockdown The knock over of a sailboat by a sundden wind.
Knot A speed of one nautical mile per hour. (6076 feet) per hour.
KNOT. - A large Knot formed on, the extremity of a rope; gen- erally by unlaying the ends thereof, and interweaving them regularly amongst each other. There are several sorts of knots, which differ materially in form, size, and name, according to the uses for which they are designed; as, bowline-knot, buoy-rope- knot, diamond-knot, reef-knot, stopper-knot, &c. (from  The Art of Rigging) 

Launch - A large, open motorboat
Lanyard - A short line used for making anything fast
Latitude - The distance north or south of the equator measured and expressed in degrees.
Lazyjacks: - lines from topping lifts to under boom which act as anet to catch the sails when lowered.
Lazarette- A storage compartment  in the stern.
League - measure of distance three miles in length
Lee - The side sheltered from the wind
lee cloths - a cloth hung on the lee side of a berth (the down side when the boat has heel to it) to keep one from rolling out of their bunk
lee shore -- a shore that wind blows onto; it is best to stay well off a lee shore in a storm
leeward --The direction away from the wind. -downwind
Leeway -The sideways movement of the boat caused by either wind or current.
LeechAfter edge of a fore and aft sail
lifeline -- stout line around the deck of the boat to keep crew from falling overboard
list -- inclination of a boat due to excess weight on one side or the other
Lines: - ropes used for various purposes aboard a boat.
Lizard- A short line with a loop or a block which another line may be run.
Lodestone- The stone or magnetized iron that was the early compass 
Lodestar -a guiding star such as the north star
Log a navigation instrument used to estimate a ship's speed.2A record of courses or operation.
Longitude - The distance in degrees east or west of the meridian at Greenwich, England
Lookout-Some one that is stationed on deck to observe and report what he see and hears.
Loose-footed-sail  a fore and aft sail that is not secured to boom.
Lubber's line -A mark or permanent line on a compass indicating the direction forward; parallel to the keel when properly installed.
Luff Up-To steer the boat more into the wind, thereby causing the sails to flap or luff
Lyle Gun-A line-throwing gun is a short-barreled cannon designed to fire a projectile attached to a rope to a boat or victim in distress

Mainmast: - the tallest mast of the ship; on a schooner, the mast furthest aft.
Mainsail: - The sail set on the mainmast.-the lowest square sail on the mainmast.
Marlinspike - A tool for opening the strands of a rope while splicing
Mast: - a large wooden pole used to hold up the sails
Measured mile-A course marked by buoys or ranges measuring one nautical mile.
Messenger-A small line used to pull a heavier line or cable.
Mizzen - the shorter mast behind the main mast on a ketch or yawl.
Monohull -A boat with one hull.
Mooring -An arrangement for securing a boat to a mooring buoy or a pier.
Mooring buoy -A buoy secured to a permanent anchor sunk deeply into the bottom.

Nautical mile -One minute of latitude; approximately 6076 feet - about 1/8 longer than the statute mile of 5280 feet.
Navigable-An area with sufficient depth of water to permit vessel passage.
Navigation-The art of getting vessel from one port to the next port.
Net Tonnage-Vessels measurement of cargo carrying capacity.
Nun Bouy-Red tapered navigation bouy.

Oakum tarred hemp or manila fibers made from old and condemned ropes which have been picked apart. They were used for caulking the seams of decks and sides of a wooden ship in order to make them watertight.
Oar- A long shaft with a blade at one end most often used in pairs on on each side of the boat (rowing)
Oarlock- a fitting (or fulcrum)  on a boat that holds the oars in place while the boat is being rowed.
Oilskin- Garments treated with linseed or other oils for waterproofing. Also maybe used as a slag for foul weather gear
Old salt -- a very experienced and/or old sailor
Outboard -Toward or beyond the boat's sides. A detachable engine mounted on a boat's stern.
Outhaul - the line that adjust tension along the foot of the sail along the boom
Outdrive -A propulsion system for boats with an inboard engine operating an exterior drive, with drive shaft, gears, and propeller; also called stern-drive and inboard/outboard.
Overboard--Over the side or out of the boat.

Painter -A line attached to the bow of a boat for use in towing or making fast
Parcel a rope - Is to put a narrow piece of canvass round it before the service is put on.
Pay out: - to feed line over the side of the boat, hand over hand.
PEAK- Outer end of the gaff -upper aft corner of a gaff sail
Pennant - a triangular flag
PFD Personal Flotation Devices (PFD), better known as life jackets
Pier -A loading/landing platform extending at an angle from the shore.
Pigstick-The staff at the truck of the mainmast from which a pennant is flow
Pilothouse: - a small cabin on the deck of the ship that protects the steering wheel and the crewman steering.
Piloting -Navigation by use of visible references, ,
Pinch - to sail as close as possible towards the wind
Pintle- a vertical  pin forming part of the hinge of a rudder. it may fit in to a gudgeon or ring on the sternpost
Pirate -One who commits piracy by engaging in robbery, pillaging, or plundering at sea 
Piracy- The act of taking a ship on the high seas from those that own it.
Pitch -1. The alternate rise and fall of the bow of a vessel proceeding through waves;2. The theoretical distance advanced by a propeller in one revolution;3. Tar and resin used for caulking between the planks of a wooden vessel.
Pitching-The movement of a ship, by which she plunges her head and after-part alternately into the hollow of the sea.
Pitchpoling -boat being thrown end-over-end in very rough seas.
Planing hull -A type of hull shaped to glide easily across the water at high speed.
Preventer- line and/or tackle which limits the movement of the boom, usually for the purpose of preventing accidents or-An extra rope, to assist another-
Propeller -A rotating device, with two or more blades, that acts as a screw in propelling a vessel.
Planking: - wood boards that cover the frames outside the hull.
Point - to turn closer towards the wind (point up)
Port - left side of the ship when facing forward
Port tack - sailing with the wind coming from the port side, with the boom on the starboard side
Privileged vessel - the ship with the right of way
Purchase - Any sort of mechanical power employed in raising or removing heavy bodies. Purchase To purchase the anchor, is to loosen it out of the ground

Q flag -- all yellow signal flag meaning "My vessel is healthy and I request free pratique.
Quarter - The sides of a boat forward of the stern aft of the shrouds
Quartering Sea- Winds and waves on a boat's quarter
Quay -- wharf used to discharge cargo
Queen topsail: - small stay sail located between the foremast and mainmas
Reach - sailing with a beam wind
Ready about - prepare to come about
Reef - to reduce the size of a sail
Reefing-The operation of reducing a sail by taking in one or more of the reefs.
Reef-bands- Pieces of canvass, about six inches wide, sewed on the fore part of sails, where the points are fixed for reefing the sail.
Reef Points-short line thu the reef band to secure the foot of the sail
Rigging: - the lines that hold up the masts and move the sails (standing and running rigging).
Rode - The anchor line and/or chain
ROPES. - All cordage in general, above one inch in circumference, which bear different names, according to their .various uses, Bolt Rope is the rope sewed to the skirts or edges of sails. Buoy Rope. - A rope fastened to the buoy of the anchor. Breast Rope is fastened along the laniards of the shrouds, for safety, when heaving the lead in the chains. Davit Rope is the lashing which secures the davit to the shrouds, when out of use. Enter- 1ng Ropes hang from the upper part of the stanchions alongside the ladder at the gangways. Guest Rope is f?-stened to an eye- bolt in the ship's side, and to the outer end of a boom, project- ing from the ship's side, by guys, to keep the boats clear off the sides. H eeZ Rope is to haul out jib-booms, and the bowsprits of cutters, &c. Passing Ropes lead round the ship, through eyes'
in the quarter, waist, gangway, and forecastle stanchions, for- ward to the knight-heads. Ring Ropes are occasionally made fast to the ring-bolts in the deck, and by .cross-turns round the cable, to confine it securely in stormy weather. from the The Art of Rigging
Royal- Sail above topgallant on Square rigger
Rudder: - a fin or blade attached under the hull’s stern used for steering.
RUNNING LIGHTS-Navigation lights tell other vessels not only where you are, but what you are doing
Running Rigging- lines which run through pulleys and block and tackle, that are used to adjust the sails and yards Running Rigging of a Merchant Ship
Sail: - a piece of cloth that catches the wind and so powers a vessel.
Sailing rig: - the equipment used to sail a bost, including sails, booms and gaffs, lines and blocks.
Salon -- also saloon; main social cabin of a boat
Sandbagger  a type of broad shallow open or partly decked  center board boat sailing boat which originated around the 1850  They carried tremendous sail area for their size .
Scarfed- A method of joining two timbers or two plywood  panels together by a diagonal joint.
Schooner: - sailing ships with at least 2 masts (foremast and mainmast) with the mainmast being the taller. Word derives from the term "schoon/scoon" meaning to move smoothly and quickly. ( a 3-masted vessel is called a "tern")
Scull - moving the rudder or oar in the stern back and forth in an attempt to move the boat forward
Scuppers: - holes through the ship sides which drain water at deck level over the side.
Scrimshaw - A sailors carving or etching on bones, teeth, tusks or shells
Scurvy - disease historically common to seaman -- was caused by lack of Vitamin C
Sea Anchor: Any device used to reduce a boat's drift before the wind.
Sea Cock - A through hull valve, a shut off on a plumbing or drain pipe between the vessel's interior and the sea.
Secure - To make fast
Serving is encircling a rope with line or spunyarn,&c., to keep it from rubbing and chafing.
Serving MALLET. - A cylindrical piece of wood, with a han dIe in the middle; it is used for serving, .
Shackle -- a metal link which can be open and closed for joining chain to anchor, etc.
Shake out - to release a reefed sail and hoist the sail aloft
Sheet: - piece of line fastened to the sail and used to position relative to the wind.
Sheetbendis knot used to tie two ropes of unequal thickness together
Sheepshank is a shortening knot, which enables a rope to be shortened non-destructively.
Sheave - the wheel of a block pulley
Ship's Bells The bell is rang every 1/2 hour to announce the time of the day starting at 0030 which would be one bell ever 1/2 hour their is an addition bell until 8 bells would be at 0400 , 0800, 1200, 1600, 2000, 2400. 8 bells would normally indicate it was time to change the watch. you would then start over with one bell at the next half hour.
Shroud: - a line or wire running from the top of the mast to the spreaders, then attaching to the side of the vessel.
Sloop-A single-masted fore-and-aft-rigged sailing vessel with a single headsail set from the forestay.
Spanker-  The after sail of a sailing ship or bark
Spar: - a pole or a beam.
Spreaders -- small spars between the mast and shrouds
Spring line -- a line tied between two opposing forces that has a neutralizing effect. At the dock with a bow line and stern line tied off, a spring line is often added to limit the movements of a vessel even more.
Sole: - the inside deck of the ship.
Square Knot used for tying two ropes together.
Squall-A sudden violent blast of wind.
Stay: - a line or wire from the mast to the bow or stern of a ship, for support of the mast (fore, back, running, and triadic stays).
Starboard - right side of the ship when facing forward
Standing Rigging shrouds and stays that secure the yards and mast in place .Standing Rigging of a Merchant Ship, 70 Tons
Stay sail: - any sail attached to a stay.
Stem: - the timber at the very front of the bow.
Stern - after end of a vessel
Surf-The breaking of the sea upon the shore.
Surge-A large, swelling wave. 2.To surge a rope or cable, is to slack it up suddenly where it renders round a pin, or round the windlass of a capstan.

Tack-The lower  forward corner of the sail
Tackle -Any combination of ropes and blocks that give a mechanical advange
Taffrail log -- a propeller drawn through the water that operates an meter on the boat registering the speed and distance sailed
Tender - a small boat used to transport crew and equipment from shore to a larger boat
Tide: The rise and fall of water level in the oceans.as a result of the attraction of the sun and the moon
Tiller:-A bar or handle which fits into the head of the rudder usedfor turning a boat
Topgallent Sail-  Sail above Topsail on Square Rigger
Topmast: - a second spar carried at the top of the fore or main mast,used to fly more sail.
Topping lift -- a line or wire for lifting the boom
Top Sail - A sail set above the gaff On a Schooner,  On Square rigger the second or the second and third sail above the deck23
Topsail Schooner- a normal schooner rigged vessel carrying sq sails on the foremast
Transom: - the planking that forms the stern and closes off the sides.
Traveler - a device that the mainsheet may be attached to which allows its position to be adjusted
Trim - to adjust the sails, also the position of the sails
True wind: The actual direction from which the wind is blowing.
Tuning - the adjustment of the standing rigging, the sails and the hull to balance the boat for optimum performance
Turnbuckle: -A threaded, adjustable rigging fitting, used for stays, lifelines, and sometimes other rigging.
 Underway - Vessel in motion, when not moored, at anchor, or aground
V-berth -- usually the forward berth of the boat, located in the bow
Vane-A small flag worn at each mast head to show wind direction
VHF -- very high frequency radio

Wake - Moving waves, track or path that a boat leaves behind it, when moving thu the water
Water-line- The line made by the water's edge when a ship has her full proportion of stores, and crew on board.
waterline length - The length of the boat at the waterline.
Weigh - To haul up; as, weigh the anchor.
Wheel: - device used for steering a boat
whip - To bind the strands of a line with a small cord.
Whisker pole - a light spar which holds the jib out when sailing downwind.
White Caps - Foam on top of waves
Whole Gale -Wind velocity of 48 to 55 knots  {force 10 on Beaufort scale)
Wide berth - To avoid something by a large distance.
Winch - a  small horizontal  drum device used to assist in hoisting.
Wind scoop - A funnel used to force wind in a hatch and ventilate the below decks area
Wing and wing-The situation of a fore-and-aft vessel when she is going dead before the wind, with her forsail hauled over on one side and her mainsail on the other.
Windjammer - a non- nautical term describing square rigged sailing ships and large sailing merchantman, especially in the last day of commerical sailing. The orginal term windjamer was intented as insult from the crews of steamships. The return insult from the sailors was stinkpotter.
Windlass - A mechanical device used to pull in cable or chain, such as an anchor rode.
Widow-maker: - a term for the bowsprit (many sailors lost their lives falling off the bowsprit while tending sails).
Windward - upwind
wing and wing - A method of running before the wind with two sails set. Usually the mainsail on one side and the fore or headsail on the other, or one headsail on each side.
 Worming  Wind a small rope in the contlines of the strands of cables, shrouds, or stays ; and spunyarn in those of ropes

Yacht A sailboat or powerboat used for pleasure, not a working boat.
Yankee: - a fore-sail flying above and forward of the jib, usually seen on bowsprit vessels.
Yard - a spar usually fixed horizontally to a mast to support a square sail.
Yardarm-That part of the yard that lies between the lift and the outer end
Yarn-A sea tale.
Yawl boat: - smaller powered boat used to provide steerage-way when not under sail.
Yawing - The motion of a ship when she deviates from to the right or left.
Zenith-The point of the celestial sphere which is directly overhead.
Zephyr-A gentle breeze. The west wind.
Zodiac-Trade name for inflatable boat.
Zula time --GMT- Greenwich Meridian Time, also known as Universal Time

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