It is used to change the direction of pull.īoot-topping - a narrow coloured stripe painted between the bottom paint and topside enamel.īroach - when a boat running downwind slews broadside to the wind and heels dangerously. to prevent chaffing.īallast - extra weight, usually lead or iron, placed low in the boat or externally on the keel to provide stability.īallast keel - a mass of ballast bolted to the keel to increase stability and prevent the boat from capsizing.īatten - a light, flexible strip, fed into a batten pocket at the leech of the sail to support the roach.īeam - (1) the maximum breadth of the boat, (2) a transverse member which supports the deck, (3) on the beam, an object is at right angles to the centre-line.īear away - to steer the boat away from the wind.īearing - the direction of an object from an observer, measured in degrees true or magnetic.īeat - to sail a zigzag course towards the wind, close-hauled on alternate tacks.īelay - to make fast a rope around a cleat usually with a figure of eight knot.īend - (1) secure a sail to a spar before hoisting, (2) connect two ropes with a knot.īerth - (1) place occupied by a boat in harbour, (2) sleeping place on board.īilge - the lower, round part inside the hull where water collects.īlock - a pulley in a wooden or plastic case, consisting of a sheave around which a rope runs. “ Proceed sternward to port”, translates as back up to the left.Īs you have the opportunity to sharpen your skills and vocabulary as a mariner, you will continue to learn more about boating and boat safety making you a better skipper as well.Back - when a wind backs, it shifts anti-clockwise.īack a sail - to sheet it to windward so that the wind fills it on the side that is normally to leeward.īackstay - a stay that supports the mast from aft and prevents its forward movement.īaggywrinkle - rope, teased out, plaited together and wound around stays, shrouds etc. Bow and stern refer to the front and back of the boat the stern is the back end. Here it is, easy to remember – left and port both have 4 letters. How are you with the terms “port” and “starboard” which mean left and right on a boat. Practice these knots and cleating and you will be ready and look sharp next time you are out on the boat. Click here to see how the Clove hitch is produced. When hanging fenders, or bumpers, off the deck to protect the boat at the docks or alongside another vessel, a Clove Hitch is best to use.
#Boat lingo how to#
Click here for a link to see how to create this incredibly useful knot. The bowline knot may be the most useful and universal of the maritime knots and useful on land as well. The best knots typically will hold fast and allow for a significant load, at the same time they will not tighten up therefore be untied reasonably easy. There are a few very common and useful knots and a few complicated knots as well. In seamanship, knots are very important and have several different applications. Click the link here to see the correct way to tie up lines to the cleats at the dock or “ cleating”. Spring lines prevent the boat from going forward or backward while dock lines hold the boat to the dock laterally. Dock lines or spring lines can be used to hold the boat fast to the dock. Simply wrapping the line around the cleat without creating a “locking hitch” doesn’t hold well. The line can be very effective when tied off correctly as shown in the drawing here. Cleats usually have a base with 2 horns extending out that the line is wrapped around to hold the boat in place. When using the line to tie up the boat to the dock, there are often “cleats” on the boat and/or the dock to attach the lines. Main safety rule: Never stand in the bight of a line, very dangerous! The loops making up the circular coiled line lying on the deck or hanging from a hook is called a “bight”.
#Boat lingo free#
The end of the line tied to something on the boat or dock is called the “standing end” and the free end of the line is called the “bitter end”. It can be small (1/8”diameter) or large (2” dia.) It is all rope you buy for the boat for a variety of uses, once it gets on the boat it becomes “Line”. It can be white or colored or even multi-colored. It can be synthetic like nylon and polypropylene or natural like hemp. You buy rope at a marine or hardware store.
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What is the difference between a rope and a line?