GLOSSARY OF SAILING TERMS
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Member: a part of the skeleton of the
hull, such as a stringer laminated into
fiberglass hull to strengthen it.
Meridian: an imaginary line encircling
the Earth that passes through the
poles and cuts at right angles through
the Equator. All lines of longitude are
meridians.
Mizzen: 1, the shorter, after-mast on a
ketch or yawl; 2, the fore and aft sail
set on this mast.
N
Navel pipe: a metal pipe in the
foredeck through which the anchor
chain passes to the locker below.
Noon Sight: a vessel’s latitude can
be found, using a sextant, when a
heavenly body on the observer’s
meridian is at its greatest altitude. The
sight of the sun at noon is the one
most frequently taken.
O
Off the wind: with the sheets slacked
off, not close-hauled.
On the wind: close-hauled.
Out haul: a rope used to pull out the
foot of a sail.
Overall length (LOA): the boat’s
extreme length, measured from the
foremost past of the bow to the
aftermost part of the stern, excluding
bowspirt, self-steering gear etc.
P
Painter: the bow line by which a
dinghy, or tender, is towed or made
fast.
Pintle: a rudder fitting with a long pin
that fits into the gudgeon to form a
hinged pivot for the rudder.
Pitch: 1, the up and down motion of
the bows of a boat plunging over the
waves; 2, the angle of the propeller
blades.
Point of sailing: the different angles
from which a boat may sail; the boat’s
course relative to the direction of the
wind.
Port: the left-hand side of the boat,
looking forward (opp. of starboard).
Port tack: a boat is on a port tack
when the wind strikes the port side
first and the mainsail is out to
starboard. A boat on the port tack
gives way to a boat on a starboard
tack.
Position line/ Line of position: a line
drawn on a chart, as a result of taking
a bearing, along which the boat’s
position must be i.e. Two position
lines give a fix.
Pulpit: a metal guard rail fitted at the
bows of a boat to provide safety for
the crew.
Pushpit: a metal guard rail fitted at
the stern.
Q
Quarter: the portion of the boat
midway between the stern and the
beam; on the quarter means about 45
degrees abaft the beam.
R
Rake: the fore and aft deviation from
the perpendicular of a mast or other
feature of a boat.
Range: 1, see transit; 2, of tides, the
difference between the high and low
water levels of a tide; 3, the distance
at which a light can be seen.
Rating: a method of measuring
certain dimensions of a yacht to
enable it to take part in handicap
races.
Reach: to sail with the wind
approximately on the beam; all sailing
points between running and close-
hauled.
Reef: to reduce the sail area by
folding or rolling surplus material on
the boom or forestay.
Reefing pennant: strong line with
which the luff or leech cringle is pulled
down to the boom when reefing.
Rhumb line: a line cutting all
meridians at the same angle; the
course followed by a boat sailing in a
fixed direction.
Riding light to anchor light: an all-
around white light, usually hoisted on
the forestay, to show that a boat under
50 ft. (15m.)is at anchor. It must be
visible for 2 mls. (3 km.).
Rigging screw: a deck fitting with
which the tensions of standing rigging,
e.g. stays, shrouds, etc. are adjusted.
Roach: the curved part of the leech of
a sail that extends beyond the direct
line from head to clew.
Run: to run with the wind aft and with
the sheets eased well out.
Running rigging: all the moving
lines, such as sheets and halyards,
used in the setting and trimming of
sails.
S
Scope: the length of rope or cable
paid out when mor anchoring.
Scuppers: 1, holes in the toe rail that
allow water to drain off the deck; 2,
drain cockpit through hull.
Seacock: a valve that shuts off an
underwater inlet or outlet passing
through the hull.
Seize: to bind two ropes together, or a
rope to a spar, with a light line.
Serve: to cover and protect a splice or
part of a rope with twine bound tightly
against the lay.
Serving mallet: tool with a grooved
head, used when serving a rope to
keep the twine at a constant and high
tension.
Set: 1, to hoist a sail; 2, the way in
which the sails fit; 3, the direction of
tidal current or steam.
Shackle: a metal link with a
removable bolt across the end; of
various shapes: D, U.
Sheave: a grooved wheel in a block
or spar for a rope to run on.
Sheet: the rope attached to the clew
of a sail or to the boom, enabling it to
be controlled or trimmed.
Shrouds: ropes or wires, usually in
pairs, led from the mast to the chain
plates at deck level to prevent the
mast falling sideways; part of the
standing rigging.
Sloop: a single-masted sailing boat
with a mainsail and one head sail.
Spar: a general term for any wooden
or metal pole, e.g., mast or boom,
used to carry or give shape to sails.
Spindrift: spray blown along the
surface of the sea.
Spinnaker: a large, light, balloon
shaped sail set when reaching or
running.
Splice: to join ropes or wire by
unlaying the strands and interweaving
them.
Split pin: see cotter pin.
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