Glossary Archive

The transom is the flat, vertical surface at the back of a boat. It is typically where the outboard motor or stern drive is attached to a motor vessel. Sailing vessels often have a transom that can fold down to create a bathing platform. The transom provides structural support and stability for the vessel and...

A sliding fitting or track on a sailing vessel, used to adjust the position of a sail's sheet or other control lines for optimal sail trim. A traveller is an essential component of a sailboat's rigging system, designed to provide precise control over the angle and tension of the mainsail or other sails. It typically consists of...

Masthead light combining red, green and white lights in one unit.

Trim is the adjustment of a boat's sails, weight distribution, and angle relative to the water to optimise performance, balance, and stability. Trim is a critical concept in boating that refers to how a vessel is balanced and positioned in the water and how its sails or engine power are adjusted to achieve optimal performance....

A vessel with three hulls

Flaps which can be pushed up or down to adjust the angles of the bow and heel on a motor vessel

Trinity House is a maritime organisation responsible for maintaining navigational aids, including lighthouses and buoys, along England, Wales, and the Channel Islands coasts. It also covers navigational aids in Gibraltar. The British organisation is dedicated to ensuring the safety of shipping and seafarers' welfare. Officially known as the Corporation of Trinity House, it was established...

A tropical hurricane is an intense tropical cyclone characterised by strong winds, heavy rainfall, and low pressure. These storms typically form over warm ocean waters near the equator and can cause significant damage to coastal areas when they make landfall. Tropical hurricanes are classified based on wind speeds, with categories ranging from 1 (weakest) to...

The direction along the Earth's surface that points directly towards the geographic North Pole. True North, also known as geographic north, is the fixed point on the Earth's surface that aligns with the axis of the planet's rotation. Unlike Magnetic North, which is influenced by the Earth's magnetic field and can shift over time, True...

The wind created by the current weather system without impact of a vessels movement