Glossary Archive

A skeg is a small fin or projection on the bottom of a boat's hull, typically near the stern. It helps to provide directional stability and improve the boat's handling by reducing side-to-side motion or yawing. Skegs are commonly found on various types of watercraft, including sailboats, powerboats, and kayaks. Sail drive propulsion gearboxes are...

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...

A method of reefing a boomed sail where the sail is flaked down on top of the boom. This allows the sail to be reefed by pulling a line attached to a cringle at its luff and securing it to a hook or cleat on the boom. The clew of the sail is secured using...

To loosen a line, rope, or sheet on a vessel, reducing tension. A term commonly used in maritime contexts to describe the act of easing or reducing the tension on a rope, line, or sheet aboard a vessel. This action is often performed to adjust the position or strain of a sail, mooring line, or...

The short period of still water occurring at the turn of the tide, when the tidal current changes direction and its speed is minimal. Slack water is a term used in marine and tidal contexts to describe the brief interval of calm water that occurs between the ebb and flood tides. During this period, the...

The underpart of the forward part of the hull hitting the water when pitching in heavy seas

Flag semaphore indicating the letter S.

International Morse Code sequence representing the letter S.

A metal or plastic fitting on the luff or foot of a sail running in a track on the mast or boom

Ropes or lines used to temporarily secure a vessel to a dock or mooring point in such a way that they can be released from onboard without requiring crew ashore. Slip lines are commonly employed when a vessel needs to depart quickly or when shore access is limited. They are typically run from the vessel...