Glossary

The point of sail where the wind is coming from directly abeam, or at a right angle to the boat's centreline. 

A beam reach is one of the most...

Altering course away from the wind.

This moves the vessel onto a wider wind angle, such as from close-hauled to a reach or from a reach...

The direction or angle between a reference point, typically true north, and an object or destination, usually expressed in degrees.

A bearing...

The direction from a vessel's current position to a predetermined navigational point or waypoint.

In marine navigation, Bearing to Waypoint is...

A scale used for estimating and reporting wind speeds based on observed sea conditions.

British Admiral Sir Francis Beaufort developed it in...

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

A type of sail plan characterised by a triangular mainsail set aft of the mast, with the mast typically taller than the length of the boat.

A...

A loop created in the standing part of a rope.

A pump used to remove unwanted water from the lowest internal parts of a vessel.

It may be electric, manual or portable, and is normally...

A canvas or fabric top supported by a metal frame, typically found on boats to provide shade and protection from the sun. 

A Bimini is a...

The housing or stand that supports the vessel’s compass.

This is usually positioned where the helm can read it easily, often near the wheel or...

Sea area of the Met Office Shipping Forecast. Covers the Bay of Biscay, off the west coast of France and north coast of Spain.

Covering the Bay...

This shape represents the Letter B (Flag Semaphore) and the Number 2 (Flag Semaphore).

International Morse Code sequence representing the letter B.

A type of pulley system used to change the direction of a line, rope, or cable on a boat. Blocks consist of one or more grooved wheels, called...