Glossary Archive

The lower aft corner of a sail, where the foot and leech meet, and is often equipped with a grommet or cringle for attaching control lines such as the sheet. The clew is a critical component of a sail's geometry and functionality on a sailing vessel. It is one of the three corners of a...

Cleats are primarily used for attaching mooring lines to your vessel. The mooring lines are then secured to another yacht, pontoon or harbour wall.

Used primarily in maritime and aviation contexts to describe the shortest distance that will be achieved between two moving objects, such as ships or aircraft, if they continue on their current courses and speeds without any changes. It is a critical parameter in collision avoidance and navigation safety systems. Key Concepts: Closest Point of Approach...

A clove hitch is a versatile, easy-to-tie knot commonly used to secure a rope to a post or pole temporarily. One of its most common uses is securing fenders to the guardrail. A clove hitch is one of the most widely used knots in sailing due to its simplicity, quick application, and ability to hold...

A deck fitting used to grip and hold a rope or line under load while allowing for controlled release when needed.  A clutch is a specialised deck fitting commonly found on sailing yachts, designed to secure a line while still enabling it to be adjusted or released under tension. Unlike a simple cleat, which requires...

The raised portion of a boat's deck, typically over the cabin, providing additional headroom and space below deck. The coachroof, also known as the cabin top, is an elevated section of a boat's deck that sits above the main cabin area. Its primary function is to provide extra headroom inside the cabin, making the interior...

The raised edge of a hatch, cockpit or skylight to help keep out water.

The RYA Coastal Skipper Practical (Motor) course is designed for experienced motor cruisers preparing for extended coastal passages. Participants learn advanced navigation, passage planning, and handling motorboats in challenging conditions. Practical exercises include night cruising, managing tidal streams, and dealing with emergencies. By the end, participants will feel confident skippering motor cruisers on coastal voyages,...

The RYA Coastal Skipper Practical (Sail) course is for experienced sailors preparing for extended coastal passages. Participants learn advanced navigation, passage planning, and skippering in challenging conditions. The five-day course includes night sailing, emergency drills, and managing a crew effectively. By the end, participants will have the confidence to take responsibility for longer voyages in...

The RYA Coastal Skipper/Yachtmaster Offshore Theory course is an advanced shore-based program for experienced sailors. Topics include complex navigation, advanced meteorology, and passage planning in tidal waters. Participants also learn about collision regulations and safety protocols for offshore passages. This course is essential for those preparing for the Coastal Skipper or Yachtmaster Offshore practical exams.