Glossary
Nautical chart abbreviations are like the secret code of the seas—except instead of buried treasure, they lead to rocks, buoys, and mysterious dashed lines that scream, 'Don’t sail here.' Learning them can feel like cracking a pirate’s encrypted diary, but don’t worry, matey! With clever tools, quirky mnemonics, and a splash of humour, we’ll help you go from 'What’s "FOUL" mean? to confidently navigating the “Wk” wrecks and “Fl G” flashes like a salty sea captain. Think of it as Rosetta Stone, but for avoiding sandbanks!
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TermDefinition
- General Nautical Terminology WhippingTwine bound round the ends of a rope to keep it from fraying
- General Nautical Terminology WhiskerLight spar to hold out the clew of a headsail when running, particularly when goosewinged
- Did you know?, Phonetic Alphabet, Signals & Communication Whiskey
Pronounced: WISS-key
The term for the letter W in the NATO Phonetic Alphabet.
- General Nautical Terminology White HorsesBreaking waves with foamy crest. Not surf breaking on the shore
- General Nautical Terminology, Weather (Meteorology) Whole Gale
Beaufort Scale – Force 10
A Whole Gale is a term used in meteorology to describe a wind of force 10 on the Beaufort scale, corresponding to...
More Details - General Nautical Terminology Winch
A mechanical device used on boats to haul in or let out heavy loads, typically consisting of a drum or spool around which a rope, cable, or chain...
More Details - General Nautical Terminology Winch HandleA removable handle used for operating a winch
- 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.
