Glossary Archive

A German boating licence required for operating recreational motorboats and sailing vessels on inland waterways.  The Sportbootführerschein Binnen (SBF Binnen) is a mandatory licence in Germany for those operating recreational boats with an engine of 15 horsepower (11.03 kW) or more on inland waterways, including rivers, lakes, and canals. The licence is available for both...

A German boating licence required for operating recreational motorboats and sailing vessels with an engine of more than 15 horsepower in coastal waters.  The Sportbootführerschein See (SBF See) is the official German boating licence for navigating coastal and offshore waters beyond inland waterways. It is mandatory for operating recreational boats with an engine exceeding 15...

A German recreational boating licence required for operating yachts under sail or power in coastal waters up to 12 nautical miles offshore.  The Sportküstenschifferschein (SKS) is a voluntary but widely recognised German boating licence for recreational sailors and motorboat operators. It is intended for those who wish to skipper yachts in coastal waters, specifically within...

Sports boats are sailing vessels designed with one thought in mind - speed! There are many different classes (designs) of sports boats that often race in 'one design' classes which mean there are no handicap calculations to take into account. It's all down to the crew to fight out for the final podium positions.

A protective canvas or fabric structure, often supported by a metal frame, installed over the companionway of a boat to shield the cockpit and crew from wind, spray, and rain. A spray hood, also known as a dodger in some regions, is a key feature on many sailing yachts and motorboats, designed to enhance comfort...

Horizontal or angled spars attached to a yacht's mast, used to hold the shrouds away from the mast and improve the stability and tension of the rigging. Spreaders are a component of a sailing yacht's rigging system, playing a crucial role in maintaining the structural integrity and performance of the mast and sails. They are...

The difference in height between HW and LW on a Mean (average) spring tide.

Mooring lines fastened to prevent a boat moving forwards or backwards relative to the quay or other boats alongside

A tide with the greatest difference between high and low water occurring when the Sun, Moon, and Earth are aligned during new and full moons. A spring tide is a natural tidal phenomenon that occurs twice each lunar month during the new and full moon phases. It is characterised by the largest tidal range, the...

A sudden increase of wind speed often associated with a line of low dark clouds representing an advancing cold front