Glossary
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TermDefinition
- General Nautical Terminology Winch Handle
A detachable lever used to operate a winch, providing mechanical advantage for tightening or loosening lines on a sailing vessel.
A winch...
More Details - General Nautical Terminology Windage
Windage refers to the resistance or drag experienced by a boat or ship as it moves through the air. Windage is influenced by the vessel’s shape,...
More Details - General Nautical Terminology WindlassThe winch used for lifting the anchor
- Courses, RYA Windsurfing Advanced RacingThe RYA Windsurfing Advanced Racing course is for competitive windsurfers looking to improve their race performance. Participants learn advanced... More Details
- Courses, RYA Windsurfing Foiling First FlightsThe RYA Windsurfing Foiling First Flights course introduces windsurfers to the exciting world of foiling. Participants learn how to set up and... More Details
- Courses, RYA Windsurfing Foiling Performance FlightsBuilding on initial foiling skills, the RYA Windsurfing Foiling Performance Flights course focuses on refining control and increasing speed.... More Details
- Courses, RYA Windsurfing Foiling Sustained FlightsThe RYA Windsurfing Foiling Sustained Flights course is for experienced foilers looking to master continuous foiling. Participants focus on... More Details
- Courses, RYA Windsurfing Intermediate RacingThe RYA Windsurfing Intermediate Racing course introduces windsurfers to the fundamentals of racing. Participants learn starting procedures, mark... More Details
- Courses, RYA Windsurfing Start RacingThe RYA Windsurfing Start Racing course is perfect for beginners looking to enter the world of competitive windsurfing. Participants learn basic... More Details
- General Nautical Terminology Windward
The direction from which the wind is blowing, or the side of a vessel or object that faces into the wind.
Windward is a crucial concept that...
More Details - Courses, RYA Wingfoiling First FlightsThe RYA Wingfoiling First Flights course is designed for those new to wingfoiling. Participants learn how to handle the wing, balance on a foil... More Details
- Courses, RYA Wingfoiling Sustained FlightsThe RYA Wingfoiling Sustained Flights course is for those who have mastered the basics of wingfoiling and want to focus on continuous flight.... More Details
- Flag Semaphore, Signals & Communication Letter W (Flag Semaphore)

Flag semaphore indicating the letter W.
- Morse Code, Signals & Communication Letter W (Morse Code)
International Morse Code sequence representing the letter W.
- General Nautical Terminology, Weather (Meteorology) WMO
An intergovernmental organization with a membership of 191 Member States and Territories that works to facilitate international cooperation in...
More Details - General Nautical Terminology Working End
The Working end of a rope refers to the part of the rope that is actively being used for a specific task, such as tying a knot, securing a line...
More Details - General Nautical Terminology, Navigation World Geodetic System 1984 (WGS84)
A standard in satellite-derived positions. Charts will indicate if they are calibrated to WGS84 or another system.
WGS84 is the standard...
More Details - General Nautical Terminology, Weather (Meteorology) World Meteorological Organization (WMO)
An intergovernmental organization with a membership of 191 Member States and Territories that works to facilitate international cooperation in...
More Details - Organisation World Sailing (ISAF)
World Sailing, formerly known as the International Sailing Federation (ISAF), is the governing body for the sport of sailing...
More Details - General Nautical Terminology, Navigation WPT
A specific location or reference point on a navigational route, often used to mark progress or changes in course.
A waypoint is a...
More Details - Flag / Pennant, Signals & Communication Code Flag Xray (X)

The International Maritime Signal Flag Xray.
Meaning
Stop carrying out your intentions and watch for my signals.
- Flag Semaphore, Signals & Communication Letter X (Flag Semaphore)

Flag semaphore indicating the letter X.
- Morse Code, Signals & Communication Letter X (Morse Code)
International Morse Code sequence representing the letter X.
- Phonetic Alphabet, Signals & Communication X-Ray
Pronounced: ECKS-ray
The term for the letter X in the NATO Phonetic Alphabet.
- General Nautical Terminology, Navigation XTE
The lateral distance and drift between a vessel's actual position and the intended navigational track or course.
Cross Track Error (XTE) is a...
More Details - General Nautical Terminology Yacht
A yacht is a recreational boat or ship, typically larger than a standard pleasure craft. Yachts are often used for private cruising, racing, or...
More Details - Courses, RYA Yachtmaster Ocean TheoryThe RYA Yachtmaster Ocean Theory course teaches celestial navigation and advanced passage planning for long-distance offshore sailing.... More Details
- Phonetic Alphabet, Signals & Communication Yankee
Pronounced: YANG-kee
The term for the letter Y in the NATO Phonetic Alphabet.
- General Nautical Terminology Yard
A horizontal spar on a sailing vessel attached to the mast and used to support and spread a square sail.
A yard is an essential component of...
More Details - General Nautical Terminology, Weather (Meteorology) Yatchsman's Gale
Nickname for the Beaufort Scale - Force 6
"Yachtsman's gale" is often used to describe the wind strength of Force 6. It gets its name because...
More Details - General Nautical Terminology, Parts of a Boat Yawl
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...
More Details - Flag / Pennant, Signals & Communication Code Flag Yankee (Y)

The International Maritime Signal Flag Yankee.
Meaning
I am dragging my anchor.
- Flag Semaphore, Signals & Communication Letter Y (Flag Semaphore)

Flag semaphore indicating the letter Y.
- Morse Code, Signals & Communication Letter Y (Morse Code)
International Morse Code sequence representing the letter Y.
- Courses, RYA Youth Sailing Scheme Start RacingThe Youth Sailing Scheme Start Racing course introduces young sailors to the fundamentals of dinghy racing. Participants learn starting... More Details
- Courses, RYA Youth Sailing Scheme - Start Sailing Stage 1The RYA Youth Sailing Scheme - Start Sailing Stage 1 is an entry-level course for children aged 8–12. This program introduces young sailors to the... More Details
- Courses, RYA Youth Sailing Scheme - Start Sailing Stage 2Building on Stage 1, the RYA Youth Sailing Scheme - Start Sailing Stage 2 equips young sailors with more advanced techniques. Participants learn... More Details
- Courses, RYA Youth Sailing Scheme - Start Sailing Stage 3The RYA Youth Sailing Scheme - Start Sailing Stage 3 focuses on refining skills and building self-reliance on the water. Young sailors learn how... More Details
- Courses, RYA Youth Sailing Scheme - Start Sailing Stage 4The RYA Youth Sailing Scheme - Start Sailing Stage 4 is the culmination of the youth sailing program, focusing on advanced boat handling and... More Details
- Courses, RYA Youth Windsurfing Stage 1The RYA Youth Windsurfing Stage 1 course introduces children aged 8–12 to the basics of windsurfing in a safe and engaging environment.... More Details
- Courses, RYA Youth Windsurfing Stage 2Building on the basics, the RYA Youth Windsurfing Stage 2 course focuses on developing greater control and confidence. Young participants learn... More Details
- Courses, RYA Youth Windsurfing Stage 3The RYA Youth Windsurfing Stage 3 course takes young windsurfers to the next level by introducing more advanced techniques. Participants practice... More Details
- Courses, RYA Youth Windsurfing Stage 4The RYA Youth Windsurfing Stage 4 course is the final stage of the youth windsurfing progression. It focuses on high-performance techniques,... More Details
- Flag / Pennant, Signals & Communication Code Flag Zulu (Z)

The International Maritime Signal Flag Zulu.
Meaning
I require a tug.
More Details
By fishing vessels near fishing grounds: I am shooting nets.
If... - Flag Semaphore, Signals & Communication Letter Z (Flag Semaphore)

Flag semaphore indicating the letter Z.
- Morse Code, Signals & Communication Letter Z (Morse Code)
International Morse Code sequence representing the letter Z.
- Phonetic Alphabet, Signals & Communication Zulu
Pronounced: ZOO-loo
The term for the letter Z in the NATO Phonetic Alphabet.

