Glossary
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TermDefinition
- General Nautical Terminology Shock CordElastic rubber bands enclosed in a sheath of fibres, very useful for lashing
- General Nautical Terminology Shorten Sail
To reduce the amount of sail area exposed to the wind, typically to maintain control and safety in strong winds.
Shortening sail is a sailing...
More Details - General Nautical Terminology Shroud
A strong, fixed line or wire that supports a sailing vessel's mast laterally, running from the mast to the sides of the hull or to...
More Details - General Nautical Terminology Side DeckThe deck alongside the coachroof
- Phonetic Alphabet, Signals & Communication Sierra
Pronounced: see-AIR-rah
The term for the letter S in the NATO Phonetic Alphabet.
- General Nautical Terminology SillA wall which acts as a dam, to keep water in a marina
- General Nautical Terminology Skeg
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...
More Details - General Nautical Terminology SKS
A German recreational boating licence required for operating yachts under sail or power in coastal waters up to 12 nautical miles...
More Details - General Nautical Terminology Slab Reef
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...
More Details - General Nautical Terminology Slack Off
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...
More Details - General Nautical Terminology, Navigation Slack Water
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...
More Details - General Nautical Terminology Slam
The impact of the forward underside of the hull striking the water.
This usually occurs when a vessel pitches in steep waves and then lands...
More Details - Flag Semaphore, Signals & Communication Letter S (Flag Semaphore)

Flag semaphore indicating the letter S.
- Morse Code, Signals & Communication Letter S (Morse Code)
International Morse Code sequence representing the letter S.
- General Nautical Terminology SlideA metal or plastic fitting on the luff or foot of a sail running in a track on the mast or boom
- General Nautical Terminology Slip Lines
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...
More Details - General Nautical Terminology Slipped Lines
The act of releasing a vessel's mooring lines in a controlled manner, allowing it to depart from a berth or dock without assistance from shore...
More Details - General Nautical Terminology Slipway
A sloped structure or ramp leading into the water, used for launching, retrieving, or repairing boats and ships.
A slipway, also known as a...
More Details - General Nautical Terminology SloopA small to mid-sized sailboat larger than a dinghy, with one mast bearing a main sail and head sail.
- General Nautical Terminology SlotGap between two sails.

