Glossary Archive

A large, lightweight, balloon-shaped sail used when sailing downwind, designed with identical halves to allow it to be flown on either side of the boat using a spinnaker pole. A symmetric spinnaker is a type of downwind sail commonly used on sailing yachts to maximise speed and efficiency when the wind is coming from behind...

A graphical representation of meteorological data over a specific area at a particular time, used to display weather patterns and conditions. A synoptic chart, also known as a weather chart, is an essential tool in marine navigation and meteorology, providing a comprehensive overview of atmospheric conditions. It is constructed using data collected from numerous observation...

The alignment of three celestial bodies—typically the Earth, Moon, and Sun—along a straight line, often resulting in phenomena such as tides, eclipses, or new and full moons. Syzygy refers to a specific astronomical alignment where three celestial bodies, most commonly the Earth, Moon, and Sun, are positioned in a straight line. This alignment occurs during...

Verb: To change the direction of a sailing vessel by turning its bow through the wind, allowing the wind to shift from one side of the sail to the other. Noun: The course or direction a sailing vessel takes relative to the wind, specifically when sailing at an angle to the wind. In sailing, "tack" is a...

The lower forward corner of a sail, where it is secured to the boat or rigging.  The tack of a sail is the point where the luff (leading edge) and the foot (bottom edge) meet, typically attached to the boat or rigging. On a mainsail, the tack is secured near the mast, while on a...

To manoeuvre or turning a sailing vessel's bow through the wind to change direction, allowing it to sail in a zigzag pattern upwind. Tacking is a fundamental sailing technique used to navigate a vessel upwind, as a sailboat cannot sail directly into the wind. Instead, the boat must follow a zigzag course, alternating between two...

Lower a sail

To assume control or responsibility for steering or navigating a vessel. Taking the helm refers to the act of assuming control over the steering of a boat or ship, typically by physically handling the wheel or tiller that directs the vessel's course. The helm is the mechanism that allows the helmsman to control the rudder,...

Pronounced: TANG-go The term for the letter T in the NATO Phonetic Alphabet.

The International Maritime Signal Flag Tango. Meaning Keep clear of me.Fishing boats: Keep clear of me; I am engaged in pair trawling.If appended with a Numeral Pennant, local time. (The first 2 digits denote hours; the last 2 denote.)