Glossary
15.9
Reeve: Leading a line through a block or other
object.
Rhumb
line:
A line cutting all meridians at the same
angle; the course followed by a boat sail-
ing 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.
Rope: Traditionally a line must be over 1 inch in
size to be called a rope.
Rudder
post:
The post that the rudder is attached to.
The wheel or tiller is connected to the
rudder post.
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.
Safety
harness:
A device worn around a person’s body
that can be attached to the ship to prevent
the person from being separated from the
ship.
Sampson
post:
A strong post used for to attach lines for
towing or mooring.
Scope: The length of rope or cable paid out when
moor anchoring.
Screw: A propeller.
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.
Secure: To make fast. To stow an object or tie it
in place.
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 con-
stant 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.
Sheath-
ing:
A covering to protect the bottom of a
boat.
Sheave: A grooved wheel in a block or spar for a
rope to run on.
Sheep-
shank:
A knot used to temporarily shorten a line.
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 main-
sail and one head sail.
Snatch
block:
A block that can be opened on one side,
allowing it to be place on a line that is
already in use.
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.
Spinna-
ker:
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.
Spread-
ers:
Horizontal struts attached to the mast,
which extends to the shrouds and help to
support the mast.
Stall: A sail stalls when the airflow over it breaks
up, causing the boat to lose way.
Stan-
chion:
Upright metal post bolted to the deck to
support guardrails or lifelines.
Standing
part:
The part of a line not used when making a
knot; the part of a rope that is made fast,
or around which the knot is tied.
To Next Page
