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...

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

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

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

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 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...

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...

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...

A downhaul is a line or tackle to apply downward tension on a sail or spar to control its shape and optimise performance.

The downhaul is an...

The flat, triangular blade or arm of an anchor designed to dig into the seabed and provide holding power.

The term "fluke" in a marine context...

The forward part of a vessel's deck, located towards the bow and often used for anchoring, mooring, or storage.

The foredeck is a critical...

The section of a vessel that is located towards the bow, or front, of the ship.

Forward refers to the area or direction towards the bow...

The kitchen or cooking area on a ship or boat, typically compact and designed for efficient use of space.

Unlike a kitchen in a house, the...

A specialised resin-based coating applied to the surface of fibreglass boats to provide a smooth, durable, and protective outer layer.

Gelcoat...

To steer or direct a vessel using its helm or steering apparatus. The apparatus or position used to steer and control a vessel, typically...

A storage compartment or enclosed space on a boat, typically used for stowing equipment, gear, or provisions securely.

A locker on a boat is a...

Refers to something located in the forward left quadrant of a vessel, between directly ahead and 90 degrees to the port (left) side.

"On the...

Refers to a position or object located forward of the vessel and to the right-hand side when facing the bow (front) of the ship.

"On the...

The area of a vessel located towards the rear (aft) on the right-hand side when facing forward.

The phrase "on the starboard quarter" is a...

A line or tackle system used to adjust the tension and position of the sail's clew along the boom, affecting the sail's shape and...

The left-hand side of a vessel when facing forward towards the bow.

The term "port" is used in maritime navigation to refer to the left side...

The side of a vessel that is perpendicular to its centreline and located on the left-hand side when facing forward towards the bow.

The term...

The forward left-hand side of a vessel when facing the bow (front).

The term "port bow" is a specific designation used in nautical contexts to...

The aft-left section of a vessel when facing forward, located between the port beam and the stern.

The term "port quarter" is a specific...

Ropes or cords used to reduce the sail area by securing a portion of the sail to the boom or mast, thereby making the vessel more manageable in...

The line, chain, or cable that connects an anchor to a vessel.

Rode refers to the length of chain, rope, or a combination of both that...

A type of boat or ship designed to operate efficiently in both displacement and planing modes, offering a balance between speed and fuel...

The part of an anchor that digs into the seabed to secure the boat in place. 

The Shank refers to the long, vertical part of an anchor that...

The flat, horizontal planks or panels that form the flooring of a boat's interior, typically installed over the bilge area to provide a stable...

A spar used on sailing vessels to control one clew of a spinnaker sail when sailing downwind.

A spinnaker pole is a key piece of equipment...

A protective canvas or fabric structure, often supported by a metal frame, installed over the companionway of a boat to shield the cockpit and...

Horizontal or angled spars attached to a yacht's mast, used to hold the shrouds away from the mast and improve the stability and tension of the...

The right-hand side of a vessel when facing forward towards the bow.

Starboard is a fundamental directional reference used to describe the...

The side of a vessel that is directly to the right, at a 90-degree angle from the centreline, when facing forward.

The term starboard beam is...

The forward section of a vessel's right-hand side when facing the bow (front) of the ship.

The term "starboard bow" is a specific nautical...

The rear right-hand section of a vessel when facing forward towards the bow.

The term "starboard quarter" is a specific navigational and...

A mechanical device used in steering systems on boats, consisting of a quadrant-shaped gear connected to the rudder to control the direction of...

The crosspiece fitted at right angles to an anchor’s shank that helps the anchor turn onto its side so a fluke can dig into the seabed.

The...

A large, lightweight, balloon-shaped sail used when sailing downwind, designed with identical halves to allow it to be flown on either side of...

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...

A strong rope or line used for mooring, towing, or manoeuvring a vessel, particularly in situations requiring precise control. 

Warping is a...

A two-masted sailing vessel with the smaller mizzen mast positioned aft of the rudder post.

A yawl is a type of sailing craft characterised by...