Glossary Archive

A type of knot used to form a fixed loop at the end of a rope, commonly employed in maritime settings for securing or towing. The bowline is one of the most widely used and trusted knots in the maritime world due to its reliability and ease of untying, even after being subjected to a...

A mooring line that runs diagonally from the bow of a vessel to a fixed point on a dock, used to control forward and backward movement while berthed. A bow spring is an essential mooring line used in securing a vessel to a dock or quay. Unlike standard bow lines, which are typically fastened perpendicular...

A spar projecting from the bow used to attach the tack of some headsails, particularly asymmetric spinnakers

Pronounced: BRAH-voh The term for the letter B in the NATO Phonetic Alphabet.

A structure constructed on a coast as part of a coastal defense system or to protect an anchorage from the effects of weather and longshore drift.

When a sailing vessel loses control of its motion and is forced into a sudden sharp turn, often heeling heavily and in smaller vessels sometimes leading to a capsize. The change in direction is called broaching-to. Occurs when too much sail is set for a strong gust of wind, or in circumstances where the sails...

A point of sail where the wind comes from behind the beam of the boat, typically at an angle of 90 to 160 degrees relative to the vessel's heading. A broad reach is one of the most efficient and comfortable points of sail, falling between a beam reach and a run. When sailing on a...

A type of claw-shaped anchor designed to provide strong holding power in a variety of seabed conditions.  The Bruce anchor, also known as a claw anchor, was originally designed by Peter Bruce in the 1970s for use on offshore oil rigs. It has since become popular among recreational boaters due to its reliable holding power...

Bearing to waypoint refers to the direction to reach a specific point, known as a waypoint. The bearing is given as the crow flies and does not consider navigational hazards or land between the vessel and the waypoint. It is given as an angle in degrees relative to true north. Bearing to waypoint is a...

An upright wall within the hull of a ship. Particularly a watertight, load-bearing wall.