Glossary

The position or direction at right angles to the centreline or keel of a vessel, typically on either side of the boat.

Abeam describes...

The area or direction behind a vessel, towards the stern.

Astern is a nautical term used to describe both a direction and a movement in...

A flat surface located at the stern of a boat, designed to provide easy access to the water for swimming or boarding.

A bathing platform,...

The widest part of a vessel, measured at its broadest point across the hull.

The term beam is a fundamental concept in nautical terminology,...

The interior spaces of a vessel that are located beneath the main deck, typically encompassing living quarters, storage areas, and machinery...

The forward part of a vessel, designed to cut through the water and reduce resistance.

The bow of a vessel is its frontmost section, typically...

An enclosed space on a boat or ship that provides shelter and accommodation for passengers or crew.

A cabin on a boat or ship is a designated...

A type of multihulled vessel featuring two parallel hulls of equal size, connected by a deck or framework, offering stability, speed, and...

A fitting on a boat or dock used to secure a rope or line.

A cleat is an piece of hardware found on boats, docks, and other marine structures,...

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...

A raised edge or border around an opening on a deck, such as a hatch, designed to prevent water from entering.

Coamings are essential...

A set of steps or a ladder leading from one deck of a vessel to another, often enclosed by a hatch or housing. 

A companionway is an essential...

The inclined set of steps or ladder leading from a vessel's deck to the interior spaces below, such as the cabin or saloon.

The companionway...

A type of plough anchor renowned for its hinged shank and ability to reset itself effectively in various seabed conditions.

The CQR...

A type of plough anchor renowned for its hinged shank and ability to reset itself effectively in various seabed conditions.

The CQR...

A reinforced loop or eyelet in the corner or edge of a sail, used for attaching lines or securing the sail to rigging.

A cringle is a feature...

The part of an anchor where the shank meets the arms, forming the base from which the flukes extend.

The crown controls how the anchor sits...

A device used to measure the depth of water, typically found on marine vessels to ensure safe navigation in shallow waters. 

A depth gauge is...

The weight of the water a vessel displaces when it is floating, which is equal to the vessel's own weight.

Displacement is a fundamental...

A type of watercraft designed to move through the water by displacing an amount of water equal to its own weight, relying on buoyancy and...