Glossary
15.10
Standing
rigging:
The shrouds and stays that are perma-
nently set up and support the mast.
Star-
board:
The right side of the boat from the per-
spective of a person at the stern of the
boat and looking toward the bow.
Starboard
tack:
A boat is the starboard tack when the wind
strikes the starboard side first and the
boom is out to the port.
Stay: Wire or rope which supports the mast in a
fore and aft direction; part of the standing
rigging.
Steerage
way:
A boat has steerage way when it has suf-
ficient speed to allow it to be steered, or
to answer the helm.
Stem: The forward edge of the bow. On a wood-
en boat the stem is a single timber.
Stern: The aft part of a boat. The back of the
boat.
Stern
line:
Line running from the stern of the boat to
a dock when moored.
Sternway: The backward, stern-first movement of a
boat.
Stow: To put something away.
Stringer: A fore and aft member, fitted to strengthen
the frames.
Stuffing
box:
A fitting around the propeller shaft to keep
the bearing lubricated and to keep water
out of the boat.
Swivel: A rotating fitting used to keep a line from
tangling.
Taber-
nacle:
A hinged support for the bottom of a mast
so that the mast can be lowered easily
when passing under bridges.
Tack: 1, the lower forward corner of a sail; 2, to
turn the boat through the wind so that it
blows on the opposite sides of the sails.
Tack pen-
nant:
A length of wire with an eye in each end,
used to raise the tack of a headsail some
distance off the deck.
Tacking: Working to windward by sailing close-
hauled on alternate courses so that the
wind is first on one side of the boat, then
on the other.
Tackle: A purchase system comprising of rope
and blocks that is used to gain mechani
-
cal advantage.
Tang: A strong metal fitting by which standing
rigging is attached to the mast or other
spar.
Telltale: A small line free to flow in the direction of
the breeze. It is attached to sails, stays in
the slot, and in other areas, enabling the
helmsman and crew to see how the wind
is flowing.
Tender of
dinghy:
A small boat used to ferry stores and
people to a yacht.
Terminal
fitting:
Fitting at the end of a wire rope by which
a shroud or stay can be attached to the
mast, a tang or a rigging screw/ turn
-
buckle.
Thwart-
ships:
Also athwartships. Across the width of a
boat.
Tide: The vertical rise and fall of the oceans
caused by the gravitational attraction of
the moon.
Toe rail: Small rail around the deck of a boat. The
toe rail may have holes in it to attach
lines or blocks. A larger wall is known as
a gunwale.
Topping
lift:
A line from the masthead to a spar, nor
-
mally the boom, which is used to raise it.
Topsides: The sides of the hull above the waterline
and below the deck.
Track: 1, the course a boat has made good; 2, a
fitting on the mast or boom into which the
slides on a sail fit; 3, a fitting along which
a traveller runs, used to alter the angle of
the sheets.
Transit: The time steaming from port to the study
site and vice versa.
Traveller: 1, a ring or hoop that can be hauled along
a spar; 2, a fitting that slides in a track and
is used to alter the angle of the sheets.
Trim: 1, to adjust the angle of the sails, by
means of sheets, so that they work most
efficiently; 2, to adjust the boat’s load,
and thus the fore and aft angle at which
it floats.
True
wind:
The direction and speed of the wind felt
when stationary, at anchor or on land.
Turnbuck-
le:
See Rigging screw.
Under
way:
A boat is under way when it is not made
fast to shore, at anchor or aground.
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