Nautical Terms for the Model Ship Builder

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The Model Ship Builders Nautical Glossary

A

Amidships - In or toward the part of a boat or ship midway between the bow and the stern; also midway between port and starboard sides; toward the middle of the ship or boat.

Anchor - (1) A heavy metal object, fastened to a chain or line, to hold a vessel in position, partly because of its weight, but chiefly because the designed shape digs into the bottom. (2) The act of using an anchor.

Anchor Ball - A black ball visible in all directions, displayed in the forward part of a vessel to indicate that the vessel is anchored. Anchor Bed - Chocks which hold and anchor in place either in a locker or on deck.

Anchor Bend - A type of knot used to fasten an anchor to its line.

Anchor Buoy - A small buoy that is used to mark the position of an anchor. It is attached to the base or crown of an anchor and can be used to recover the anchor if it has to be cast adrift, or to trip it if it becomes wedged.

Anchor Light - A white light, usually on the masthead, visible from all directions, used to indicate that a vessel is anchored.

Anchor Warp - A hawser or line attached to an anchor.

Anchor Windlass - A windlass is a winch-like device used to assist in the raising of the anchor.

Anti-Gallicans - A pair of additional backstays temporarily rigged to provide extra support to the masts of square rigged vessels when sailing downwind.

Apostles - Large bollards affixed to the main deck near the bow of a square rigged vessel around which hawsers or anchor cables were belayed.

Appendage - A rudder, keel, centerboard, or skeg.

Apron - A strengthening timber behind the lower part of the stem and above the foremost end of the keel in a wooden vessel.

Aspect Ratio - The relationship (ratio) between the sails height (luff length) and length along the foot. High aspect ratio means a sail that is tall and narrow, low aspect ratio is a short, squat sail. A high aspect ratio sail is very efficient in sailing close to the wind.

Astern - Backwards, somewhere behind the vessel, towards the stern; in the direction of, or behind, the stern; opposite of ahead.

B

Baby Stay - Secondary forestay supporting the leading edge of the mast and used to flatten the mainsail in building winds.

Back Splice - A splice formed when a crown knot is made in the end of a piece of line and the ends are woven three times or more into the standing part of the line to keep it from unraveling.

Backspring - A spring line from the stern of a boat to mid ships to stop forward movement

Backstay - Standing or running (adjustable) wire rigging that supports the mast from the stern; a wire mast support leading aft to the deck or another mast.

Baggywrinkle - Tassels of unraveled line, yarns, etc. which are lashed around chafe spots such as spreaders to prevent chafe on sails.

Bailers - Openings in the bottom or transom of a boat to drain water when sailing.

Balance Frames - Those frames of a ship's hull which are equal in area, one forward and one aft of the ship's center of gravity.

Bale - A metal ring on a boom, pole or mast where blocks or shackles may be attached.

Ballast - Weight at the bottom or the lower portion of the boat to give her stability and/or to provide satisfactory fore and aft trim.. Ballast can be place inside the hull of the boat or externally in a keel. Heavy substances can be loaded by a vessel to improve stability, trimming, sea-keeping and to increase the immersion at the propeller. Sea water ballast is commonly loaded in most vessels in ballast tanks, positioned in compartments right at the bottom and in some cases on the sides, called wing tanks. On a tanker, ballast is seawater that is taken into the cargo tanks to submerge the vessel to a proper trim.

Ballast Tanks - Tanks carried in various parts of a ship for water ballast, for stability and to make the ship seaworthy.

Barque (Also Bark) - A sailing ship with three to five masts, all of them square-rigged except the after mast, which is fore-and-aft rigged.

Barquentine - Sailing vessel with three or more masts. Square rigged on foremast, fore and aft rigged on all others.

Batten - A thin, flexible wooden or plastic strip inserted into a pocket (batten pockets) on the back part (leech) of a sail to stiffen it and assist in keeping its form.

Batten Pockets - Pockets in a sail where battens can be placed to stiffen the sail.

Beak - Name given to the metal point or ram fixed on the bows of old war galleys and used to pierce the hulls, and thus sink or disable enemy ships.

Beam - (1) The transverse measurement of a boat at its widest point. Also called breadth. (2) One of the transverse members of a ship's frames on which the decks are laid.

Becket - A loop or a small eye in the end of a rope or a block.

Bee - A ring or hoop of metal.

Bee Blocks - Wooden swells on each side of the after end of a boom, having sheaves through which to lead the leech reefing pendants.

Bees of the Bowsprit - Pieces of hard wood bolted to the outer end of a bowsprit through which are rove the foretopmast stays before they are brought in to the bows and secured.

Belaying Pin - Iron or wood pin fitted into racks, around which lines can be belayed or secured.

Bell - Traditionally a ship's bell is made of brass and has her name engraved on it. It is used for striking the bells which mark the passage of time (see Bells) and is also used as a fog signal as an audible warning of a ship's position.

Bell Rope - A short piece of line spliced into the end of the clapper by which the bell is struck. Traditionally it is finished off with a double wall knot crowned in its end.

Bend - A type of knot used to connect a line to a spar or another line, a sail to a spar, or a line to a sail. Also the act of using such a knot. (2) To swing your body when pulling on an oar - "bend to your oars".

Bermuda Rig - A sail plan in which the main and/or mizzen, or the foresail of a schooner, is of triangular shape, very long in the luff and set from a tall mast. This is almost now universal in all sailing yachts.

Best Bower - Term used in the days of sail to indicate the starboard of the two anchors carried at the bow of a ship. The anchor on the port side was known as the small bower (although they were the same size).

Bibbs - Pieces of timber bolted to the hounds of a mast of a square rigged ship to support the trestle trees.

Bight - (1) The part of a line between the ends. (2) A loop in a line. (3) An indentation in the coastline lying between two promontories, larger than a bay.

Bilge Pump - A mechanical, electrical, or manually operated pump used to remove water from the bilge.

Binnacle - The mount and housing for the compass, usually located on the wheel's pedestal.

Bird's Nest - A small round platform, smaller than a Crow's Nest, which was placed at the top of the mast to provide a greater range of vision from a ship at sea.

Bitt - A vertical post extending above the deck for securing mooring lines

Block - A wooden, metal or plastic case in which one or more sheaves (pulleys) are placed, through which turns of line (falls) are threaded for the purpose of gaining mechanical advantage or changing the direction of motion. Lines used with a block are known as tackle.

Block and Tackle - A combination of one or more blocks and the associated tackle necessary to give a mechanical advantage. Useful for lifting heavy loads.

Blooper - Light-weight foresail similar to a spinnaker but set without a pole.

Boat Hook - A long sturdy pole fitted with a blunt hook at one end designed to catch a line when coming alongside a pier or mooring, to facilitate putting a line over a piling, recovering an object dropped overboard, or in pushing or fending off.

Bobstay - A stay from the stem of a boat to the end of the bowsprit used to counteract the upward pull of the forestay.

Bollard - A large solid post on a wharf or pier for securing mooring lines; the same when constructed on the deck of a ship.

Bolster - A piece of wood fitted in various places to act as a preventative to chafe.

Bolt Rope - A rope sewn into the luff or foot of a sail for use in attaching to the mast or boom.

Bonaventure - On older sailing ships, an additional lateen shaped mizzen sail carried on the fourth mast, known as a bonaventure mizzen.

Booby Hatch - The cover of a scuttle-way or small hatchway which leads to to or from a store room, cabin of small craft, crew's quarters, the forecastle or fore peak.

Boom - A horizontal pole or spar attached to the mast to which the foot (lower edge) of the sail is fastened.

Boom Crotch or Crutch - A notched support for the boom when the sail is not raised. Unlike a gallows frame, a crutch is stowed when boat is sailing.

Boom Preventer - A block and tackle attached to the boom and the deck to prevent the main from gybing when sailing downwind.

Boom Vang - Any system, usually block & tackle or hydraulic, used to hold the boom down. This is useful for maintaining proper sail shape by exerting a downward pull on the boom, particularly when running or on a broad reach.

Boomkin - A stern sprit or spar extending from the stern.

Booms - On larger sailing vessels, the space between the foremast and mainmast where spare spars were stored.

Boot Stripe or Boot Top - A painted stripe along the waterline delineating the topside from the bottom paint.

Boss - The swell of a ship's hull around the propeller shaft.

Boss Plate - A curved plate covering (one on each side) the boss of a propeller post and the curved portion of frames in way of the stern tube of a screw steamer. This plate is of extra thickness.

Bosun's Chair - Canvas or wood seat attached a halyard to raise and lower someone to work on the mast

Bottlescrew - see Turnbuckle.

Bow - The forwardmost or front part of the vessel. Opposite of Stern.

Bow Line - A docking line leading from the bow.

Bowline - A knot use to form an eye or loop at the end of a rope. A knot with many uses, it is simple and strong, its loop will not slip, and it is easily untied after being exposed to a strain. also see Running Bowline.

Bowsprit - A spar which projects forward from the bow of some boats, and extends the sail plan by allowing the headsails to be secured further forward.

Braces - On square rigged ships, lines or cables attached to the ends of each yard; these are used to pivot (brace) the yards around the mast at different angles to the fore-and-aft line of the ship to make the most of the wind.

Brails - Lines used to pull the outer edge (leech) of a fore-and-aft sail forward to a mast. These lines are used to temporaily furl the sail.

Breadth - See Beam

Break of the Poop - The forward end of a ship's after superstructure, where the poop deck descends to the upper deck.

Breast Hook - An athwartship or horizontal member running between the inside surfaces of the hull.

Breast Line - A docking line going at approximately a right angle from the boat to the dock, preventing movement away from the dock. Also known as a Waist Line.

Breech of a Block - The part of a block which is opposite the swallow, which is where the line enters.

Bridge - The location from which a vessel is steered and its speed controlled; navigation and command center of the vessel.

Bridge Deck - The transverse partition between the cockpit and the cabin.

Bridge House - The erection or superstructure fitted about amidship on the upper deck of a ship. The officer's quarters, staterooms and accommodations are usually in the bridge house.

Brig - A two-masted vessel with both masts square rigged. On the sternmost mast, the main mast, there is also a gaff sail.

Brigantine - A two-masted vessel with foremast square rigged, and mainmast fore and aft rigged. Originally, a ship of brigands, or pirates.

Brow - A gangway or gangplank. Used to cross from one ship to another, or from a ship to a pier.

Bulkhead - A name given to any vertical partition or wall which separates different compartments or spaces from one another, also adding strength. Sometimes bulkheads are also watertight, adding to the vessel's safety.

Bulwark(s) - A railing around the deck of a boat to keep things from going overboard and the seas from coming aboard; the strake of shell plating above a weather or shelter deck; the part of a ship's side that extends above the main deck to protect it against heavy weather.

Bunt - (1) The middle part of a square sail. (2) The line(s) attached to the middle of the foot of the sail used to haul the bunt up to the center of the yard.

Buoy - (1) A floating object employed as an aid to mariners to mark the navigable limits of channels, their fairways, sunken dangers, isolated rocks, etc. (2) an anchored float marking a position or for use as a mooring.

Butt - The squared end of a plank used on the side of a wooden vessel where it is secured to the timbers.

Buttock - The breadth of a ship where the hull rounds down to the stern.

C

Cabin - A room or living compartment for passengers or crew.

Cabin Sole - The floor or bottom surface of the enclosed space under the deck of a boat.

Caboose - Old term for the galley of a vessel situated normally on the deck and not between decks.

Canoe Stern - A pointed stern, such as those on a canoe.

Cant Frames - Angled frames in the extreme forward or aft ends of a ship which form the sharp ends of the vessel's hull.

Cap - A piece of trim, usually wood, used to cover and often decorate a portion of the boat, i.e., caprail.

Capstan - A revolving cylindrical device used for heaving in lines or anchors - A vertical, spool-shaped rotating drum around which cable, hawser or chain is wound for hoisting anchors, sails and other heavy weights. A capstan rotates around a vertical axis, as opposed to a windlass, which revolves around a horizontal axis.

Caravel - Small trading vessel also used for exploration. Three-masted, being square-rigged on the two forward masts, and having a lateen rigged mizzen mast. Christopher Colmbus' small squadron, the Santa Maria, Pinta, and Nina, were all Caravels, as were Magellan's ships in his famous circumnavigation.

Cargo Hatch - An opening in a ship's deck for the loading and discharging of any kind of cargo.

Carline or Carling - Timbers used to support the deck planking of a wooden ship; also for supporting hatches.

Carlins - Structural pieces running fore and aft between the beams.

Carrack - Old three-masted trading vessel which was square-rigged on the fore and main masts, and lateen rigged on the mizzen mast. Similar to the Caravel, but larger and more robust.

Carrick Bend - A knot used to tie two lines together.

Catamaran - A multihull with two hulls separated by a deck or crossbeams from which a trampoline is suspended; abbreviated "cat."

Catboat - A small boat with the mast stepped far forward, carrying a single sail.

Cathead - On older sailing ships, a heavy piece of curved timber projecting from the bow for the purpose of holding anchors in position for letting go or for securing them after weighing.

Catenary - The curve (sag) of a rope, cable or chain hung between two points such as the anchor rode or towing line; the deeper the curve, the more catenary.

Catharpings - In square-rigged vessels, short lines at the lower end of the futtock shrouds used to bring in the shrouds tighter to give room to brace the yards at a sharper angle when sailing close hauled.

Catwalk - On a ship, a raised bridge running fore and aft from the midship, and also called "walkway". It affords safe passage over the pipelines and other deck obstructions.

Caulking/Calking - Forcing material into the seams of the planks in a boat's deck or sides to make them watertight; the material itself. Oakum was once the material used for this purpose, and was then sealed with hot pitch to prevent it from rotting. Today there are polymers used for sealing all kinds of fittings.

Center of Buoyancy - A point through which all buoyant forces on an immersed hull are assumed to act. Center of Effort (CE) - Point at which all of the force of the wind can be thought to concentrate; the point in the sail plan that is the balance point for all the aerodynamic forces.

Center of Lateral Resistance (CLR) - Center point of all underwater area of the hull where the hull's lateral resistance can be said to be centered.

Centerboard Trunk - Watertight housing for the centerboard.

Centerline - The imaginary line running from bow to stern along the middle of the boat.

Chafing Gear - Canvas, cloth, leather, tubing, rubber or other material placed around a line or cable to protect it from wear and abrasion.

Chain Locker - The compartment, near and below the hawse holes at the bow, for stowing the anchor chains; a compartment in the lower part of a ship for stowing an anchor chain.

Chain Plate - A metal plate, strap, or rod bolted to the hull structure to which the lower ends of shrouds and stays are attached.

Charley Noble - Galley smokestack or chimney.

Cheek Block - A block with one end permanently attached to a surface.

Cheeks - (1) The two sides of a block. (2) Pieces of timber attached to the mast below the masthead to support the trestle trees.

Chock - (1) A deck fitting to guide an anchor, mooring, towing or docking line. Usually smooth shaped to reduce chafe. (2) A wedge or block to keep an object from moving. Chock-a-Block - When a line is pulled as tight as is can go, as when two blocks are pulled together so that no further movement is possible (also known as "Two blocked").

Chord - An imaginary line drawn between the luff and leech of a sail. The chord depth is an imaginary line drawn to the deepest part of the sail from the chord. The ratio of chord depth to chord length represents the sail's draft - a high ratio indicates a full sail; a low ratio, a flat sail.

Chute - An opening in the deck near the bow from which the spinnaker is hoisted. Spinnakers are also often referred to as chutes.

Class - General category into which boats of the same or similar design are grouped for racing. Classification Society - Worldwide experienced and reputable societies which undertake to arrange inspections and advise on the hull and machinery of a ship. A private organization that supervises vessels during their construction and afterward, in respect to their seaworthiness, and the placing of vessels in grades or "classes" according to the society's rules for each particular type.

Claw Ring - A "C" shaped fitting which can be slipped over the boom, for example, when the sail has been roller reefed to allow the boom vang to be reattached.

Cleat - A fitting of wood or metal, secured to the deck, mast, or spar, with two horns around which ropes are made fast. The classic cleat to which lines are belayed is approximately anvil-shaped; verb - to belay.

Clevis Pin - A large pin that secures one fitting to another.

Clew - The lower aft corner of a fore and aft sail, both lower corners of a spinnaker, and the lower corners of a square sail.

Clew Outhaul - The tackle used to adjust the clew in and out on the boom.

Clipper - A sharp-bowed sailing vessel of the mid-19th century, having tall masts and sharp lines; built for great speed; the generic name used to describe types of fast sailing ships.

Clothing - Various pieces of rigging which hold a bowsprit in position.

Clove Hitch - Two half hitches around a spar or post. Easy way to make a line temporarily fast to a piling or post. The clove hitch can jam under heavy tension, making it difficult to untie. Worse, is its tendency to untie itself when subjected to repeated strain and release, such as a boat rocking in waves. You can add one or two half hitches on the standing line for a more secure attachment.

Club - A boom on a jib or staysail.

Coach Roof - The cabin roof, raised above the deck to provide headroom in the cabin. Also trunk.

Coachwhipping - Decorative ropework with an even number of strands to form a herring-bone pattern.

Coaming - A low vertical lip or raised section around the edge of a cockpit, hatch, etc. to prevent water on deck from running below.

Cockpit - The location from which the boat is steered, usually in the middle or at the stern of the boat.

Cockpit Sole - Floor of the cockpit.

Coffee Grinder - A large and powerful sheet winch.

Collier - Vessel used for transporting coal.

Collision Bulkhead - A watertight bulkhead at the forepeak extending to main deck. This bulkhead prevents the entire ship from being flooded in case of a collision.

Collision Mat - A large square of heavy canvas fitted with lines to allow it to be drawn under the hull of a ship where it is damaged. The pressure of the seawater holds it tight against the ship and greatly reduces the inflow of water. Colors - National flag or insignia flown by a ship at sea.

Companion Way - The area leading down from the deck to the cabin, usually with steps (ladder).

Compartments - The spaces between the transverse bulkheads of a ship.

Compression Post - A vertical post, supporting the coach roof or deck, between a deck-stepped mast and (usually) the keel.

Con - Station, usually on the bridge, from which a ship is controlled; the act of so controlling.

Copper Sheathing - Thin sheets of copper applied to the hull of a wooden ship below the waterline to prevent the toredo worm eating the planks, and also to limit the growth of weed, barnacles or other marine life.

Cordage - Any rope or line.

CQR Anchor - An anchor that is designed to bury itself into the ground by use of its plow shape. Also called a plow anchor.

Cradle - A frame that supports a boat when she's hauled out of the water onto shore.

Cribbing - Timbers used to support bottom of ship while it is under construction.

Cringle - A large reinforced eye in the leech and clew of a sail that allows a line to fasten to it; e.g., the reef cringle and clew cringle.

Cross Bracing - Iron or steel straps fastened diagonally across a ship's frames to make a rigid framework.

Cross-Jack Yard - The lower yard on a mizzen mast of a square-rigged ship.

Crosstrees - Small horizontal spars extending athwartships from one or more places along the mast. The shrouds cross the end of these "spreaders", enabling the shrouds to better support the mast.

Crown - A knot formed by taking the strands of the end of a line and tucking them over and under each other to prevent them from unraveling.

Crow's Nest - A platform and protective coaming setting high up on a mast, to accommodate the look-out aloft while the ship is at sea.

Cuddy - A small sheltered cabin on a boat.

Cunningham - A line used to control the tension along a sail's luff in order to maintain proper sail shape. Current - Horizontal movement of the water caused by tidal change, wind, river movement, or circular currents caused by the motion of the earth.

Cut - The shape or design of a sail.

Cut Splice - Two lines spliced together to form an eye.

Cutlass Bearing - The bearing surrounding the propeller shaft where it exits the hull.

Cutter - A single masted sailboat similar to a sloop except sails are arranged so that many combinations of areas may be obtained. A sail plan with two headsails, a main jib and a smaller staysail set between the jib and the mast.

Cutwater - The forward curve of the stem of a ship.

D

Daggerboard - Similar to a centerboard, except that it is raised and lowered vertically in a trunk rather than pivoted. Like a keel, daggerboards are used to reduce leeway by preventing a sailboat being pushed sideways by the wind.

Danforth Anchor - A brand of lightweight anchor. It has pivoting flukes that dig into the ground as tension is placed on the anchor.

Davit(s) - A small crane that projects over the side of the boat to raise or lower objects (such as smaller boats) from or to the water.

Deadeyes - Circular blocks in the shrouds or stays to adjust tension.

Deadlight - Fixed ports that do not open which are placed in the deck or cabin to admit light.

Deadrise - The measurement of the angle between the bottom of a boat and its widest beam. A vessel with a 0º deadrise has a flat bottom, high numbers indicate deep V shaped hulls.

Deadwood - Heavy longitudinal timbers fastened over the keelson. The timbers of the bow and stern are fastened to the deadwood.

Deck - A permanent covering over a compartment, hull or any part of a ship serving as a floor.

Deck Beam - A beam which supports a deck.

Deck Girders - Continuous longitudinals fastened under the deck.

Deck House - A small house erected upon the deck of a ship for any purpose. A low building or superstructure, such as a cabin, constructed on the top deck of a ship.

Deck Plate - A metal plate fitting on the deck that can be opened to take on fuel or water

Deck Prism - A prism inserted into the deck which provides light down below.

Deck Stepped - A mast that is stepped (placed) on the deck of a boat rather than through the boat and keel stepped. The mast of a deck stepped boat is usually easier to raise and lower and are usually intended for lighter conditions than keel stepped boats.

Deckhead - The underside of the deck, viewed from below the ceiling.

Deep V - Refers to the shape of a boat's (usually power boat) hull. A deep V hull is usually good at cutting through rough waves at high speeds.

Derrick - A hoisting apparatus consisting of a block and tackle rigged at the end of a beam.

Design Waterline (DWL) - Also length waterline or load waterline (LWL) - This is the length of the boat where it meets the water when loaded to its designed capacity.

Devil - Caulker's name for the seam in the upper deck planking next to a ship's waterways. There was very little space to get at this seam, making it a difficult and awkward job. This is the origin of the expression "Between the devil and the deep blue sea, since there is only the thickness of the ship's hull planking between this seam and the sea. also known as the garboard seam.

Dingbat - Slang term for a small swab made of rope and used for drying decks.

Dinghy - A small open boat often used as tender and lifeboat for a larger craft; a small open boat, usually carried aboard a yacht for going ashore.

Dink - Nickname for a dinghy.

Ditty Bag - A small bag for carrying or stowing all personal articles. Ditty Box - A small wooden box, with lock and key, in which seamen keep sentimental valuables, stationery, and sundry small stores.

Dog - Heavy latch by which doors, hatches, portholes, etc., are secured; verb - to latch.

Doghouse - The short deckhouse or main hatchway which is raised above the level of the cabin top or coachroof.

Donkey Boiler - A steam boiler on a ship deck used to supply steam to deck machinery when the main boilers are shut down.

Donkey Engine - An auxiliary engine used for furnishing power for a variety of small mechanical chores.

Donkey House - The structure on deck where the donkey engine is located.

Door - A passage through a bulkhead or other vertical divider of spaces. Doors can be closed, sometimes with a watertight seal, to prevent progressive flooding.

Dorade - A horn type of vent designed to let air into a cabin and keep water out.

Dory - A hard-chined dinghy with flared sides, considered a useful weight-carrying work boat.

Double Bottom - General term for all watertight spaces contained between the outside bottom plating, the tank top and the margin plate. The double bottoms are sub-divided into a number of separate tanks which may contain boiler feed water, drinking water, fuel oil, ballast, etc.

Double Ender - Any Boat Designed with a pointed bow and stern.

E

Earing - A small line used to fasten the upper corners of a square sail to its yard.

Emergency Tiller - A tiller that is designed to be used in the event that wheel steering fails.

Engine Bed - A structure of wooden or metal supports that make up the mounting for a ship's engine.

Engine Order Telegraph - A set of mechanical signaling devices, connected by cables, by which engine commands are passed from the pilot house to the engine room and by which the engine room responds.

Engine Room - Where the engines of a ship are confined.

Ensign - (1) A nautical version of the national flag of the country usually flown at the stern. (2) Adopted by the United States Navy in 1862, the rank of a young officer equivalent to that of midshipman.

Entry - The shape of the fore-body of a ship as it thrusts through the sea. A vessel with a slim bow is said to have a fine entry.

Even Keel - When a boat is floating on its designed waterline, upright without any list to either side, it is said to be floating on an even keel.

Eye - A loop or hole which is spliced or tied on the end of a line.

Eye Splice - A permanent loop spliced in the end of a line, sometimes around a thimble.

Eyebolts - Metal bolts with an eye in the end.

F

Fairlead - A fitting used to guide a line in a particular direction without chafing.

Fake - One circle of a coil or rope. To coil or arrange a rope ornamentally with each fake flat, or almost flat, on the deck, usually in a circle or figure-of-eight pattern. Sometimes called "Cheesing down". Fall - The part of the tackle which is hauled upon; a hoisting rope or chain, especially the part of rope or chain to which power is applied.

False Keel - An additional keel secured outside the main keel, usually as protection in the event of grounding.

Fang - Valve of a pump box; to prime a pump.

Fantail - Overhanging part of a vessel's stern. The area of the upper deck of a ship that is nearest the stern.

Fastening - An item such as a nail, screw, rivet or other device used to fasten objects together.

Fender - A protective cushion of durable material hung from the sides of a boat to protect it from rubbing or chafing against a dock or another boat.

Fid - A pointed tool used to separate strands of rope.

Fiddle - A small rail on tables and counters used to keep objects from sliding off when the vessel rolls and pitches.

Fiddle Block - A double block where the two sheaves lie in a plane one below the other, rather than alongside each other.

Fiddley Deck - A partially raised deck over the engine and boiler rooms, always around the smokestack, to let the hot air and fumes escape.

Fife Rail - A rail around the mast or on the bulwarks with holes for belaying pins to which lines or halyards are attached.

Figure Eight Knot - A stopper knot in the form of a figure eight, placed in the end of a line to prevent the line from passing through a grommet, block, or other fitting.

Figurehead - An ornamental carved and painted figure on the stem of the vessel.

Fin Keel - A keel that is narrow and deeper than a full keel. It looks like a fish's fin extending below the boat, and the boat usually has a rudder mounted some distance aft, often on an additional keel-like extension called a skeg.

Fisherman Anchor - A traditionally shaped anchor having flukes perpendicular to the stock of the anchor and connected by a shank. These are less common than modern anchors such as the plow and lightweight anchors.

Fisherman's Bend - A knot used to fasten a line or cable to the anchor.

Flag of Convenience - Registry of the vessel is foreign to that of the country in which the company that owns the ship is located.

Flake - (1) To lay a line out in coils so that it can run without fouling. (2) Folding a sail in layers on the boom.

Flemish Horse - The short foot rope at the end of a yard at the outer corner of a square sail used when reefing or furling.

Floor - Lower part of a transverse frame running each side of the keelson to the bilges; a virtually horizontal platform extending to the ship's sides.

Floorboards - The surface of the cockpit on which the crew stand.

Fluke - (1) The portion of an anchor that digs securely into the bottom, holding the boat in place. (2) The two triangular parts which make up a whale's tail.

Flush Deck - A deck whose top side is flush.

Flying Bridge - The highest navigation bridge. It usually includes an added set of controls above the level of the normal control station for better visibility.

Footropes - On a square-rigged ship, the ropes which hang below a yard upon which the topmen stand while aloft furling or reefing a sail. They were supported by ropes from the yard known as "stirrups".

Fore - Towards, near, or at the bow; Prefix denoting at, near, or toward the bow.

Fore and Aft - In a line parallel to the ship's keel.

Fore and Aft Rigged - Sails that lie in the direction of the ship's length and whose luffs abut the masts or are attached to stays.

Fore Peak - The compartment at the bow of the vessel.

Fore Rake - The forward part of the bow which overhangs the keel.

Forecabin - The cabin towards the front of the vessel.

Forecastle - Also fo'c'sle or fo'csle. Pronounced "foke-sul". The most forward below decks area of a vessel; The crew quarters on a traditional sailing ship forward of the main mast.

Foredeck - The forward part of a boat's main deck.

Forefoot - The point where the stem joins the forward end of the keel.

Foreguy - A line leading forward from the end of a mainsail boom to prevent the boom from swinging inboard while broad reaching or running. also Preventer.

Foremast - The forward mast of a boat with more that one mast.

Forepeak - A space or compartment in the bow of a vessel - The compartment farthest forward in the bow of the boat. Often used for anchor or sail stowage.

Foresail - A sail placed forward of the mast, such as a jib; the sail set from the foremast on a schooner; the lowest square sail on the foremast of Square Riggers.

Forestay - A support wire running from the upper part of the mast to the bow of the boat designed to pull the mast forward. A forestay that attaches slightly below the top of the mast can be used to help control the bend of the mast. The most forward stay on the boat is also called the headstay.

Forestaysail - A sail attached to the forestay as opposed to a jib which is attached to the headstay.

Foretriangle - The triangle formed by the masthead, the base of the mast at deck level, and the lower end of the headstay.

Forward - At or toward the bow. Also the fore part of the ship.

Forward-leading - Said of a line that leads from its point of attachment towards the bow of the ship.

Foremast - The mast in the forepart of a vessel, nearest the bow.

Fractional Rig - A design in which the forestay does not go to the very top of the mast, but instead to a point 3/4-7/8 of the way up the mast.

Frame - A timber or rib of a ship running from the keel to the side rail; the transverse strengthening members in a ship's hull that extend from the keel to the deck or gunwale. The frames form the shape of the hull and act as a skeleton on which the hull planking is secured.

Freeboard - The distance from the gunwale to the water. Most often this will vary along the length of the boat.

Freeboard Deck - The uppermost complete deck of a ship having a secure means of closing all openings to be fully watertight.

Freeing Port - An opening in the bulwark or rail for discharging large quantities of water, when thrown by the sea upon the ship's deck. Some ships have "swing gates" which allow water to drain off but which automatically close from the pressure of sea water.

Full Keel - A keel that runs the length of the boat.

Fully Battened - A sail having battens that run the full horizontal length of the sail.

Fully Stayed - A mast supported by the use of lines or wire known as stays and shrouds.

Furl - To fold or roll a sail and secure it to its main support.

Furniture - The essential fittings and equipment of a ship, such as anchors, rigging, masts, davits, derricks, winches, etc., excluding her consumable stores such as water, fuel and victuals.

Futtock - A curved or vertical timber that when paired with a floor or additional futtocks makes the frame of a wooden ship.

Futtock Shrouds - Short shrouds which give support to the top of a lower mast.

G

Gaff - (1) A spar that holds the upper side of a four sided gaff sail. (2) A pole with a sharp hook at the end used to get a fish on board.

Gaff Rig - Any sailboat with a four-sided mainsail, defined by two booms, one located on the bottom, perpendicular to the mast, and another, located on top, at an angle from the mast. Gaff Sail - A four sided sail used instead of a triangular main sail. Used on gaff rigged boats.

Gaff Topsail - A light triangular or quadrilateral sail set over a gaff.

Galleon - A development of the carrack, with the high forecastle eliminated.

Gallery - In larger sailing warships, the walk built out from the admiral's or captain's cabin and extending beyond the stern. Often decorated with carved and gilded work, they were also covered and enclosed with elaborate glass windows.

Galley - (1) The kitchen area of a boat. (2) Very old fighting ship propelled by oars.

Gallows Frame - A frame used to support the boom when the sail is down.

Gammon Iron - Circular iron band used to hold a bowsprit on the stem of a sailing vessel.

Gangplank - A board with cleats, forming a bridge reaching from a gangway of a vessel to the wharf.

Gangway - A narrow portable platform used as a passage, by persons entering or leaving a vessel moored alongside a pier.

G6arboard - The first plank on the outer hull of a wooden vessel next to the keel. In steel ships, the plating next to the keel, or what is known as strake A.

Garnet - On a square-rigged ship, a tackle used for hoisting casks and provisions.

Gasket - Ties used to tie up the sails when they are furled to the boom or yards.

Gate Valve - A valve with a faucet type handle used to restrict the flow of water in a line.

Gennaker - A large sail that is a cross between a spinnaker and a genoa. Hoisted without a pole, the tack is attached at the bottom of the headstay.

Genoa - A large foresail or jib that overlaps the mainsail. Also known as a genny. Can be expressed in percentages of overlap, e.g. 150 Genoa is 50% overlap of the mainsail.

Gimbals - A system by which an object such as a compass is suspended so that it remains horizontal as the boat heels.

Gingerbread - Gilded carving and scroll work decorating the hulls of ships.

Girdle - Additional thickness of planking on a wooden ship about her waterline to give the vessel more stability.

Girth - The measurement around the body of a ship. The half girth is taken from the center line of the keel to the upper deck beam end.

Gob Line - A length of rope used in a tug to bowse in the towrope. Gog rope.

Gondola - A small boat, highly ornamented, with a high rising stem and sternpost. Used on the canals of Venice, it is propelled by a man standing near the stern using a single oar.

Gooseneck - The fitting which connects the boom to the mast.

Grabrail - A pillar or handhold on a boat - Hand-hold fittings mounted on cabin tops and sides for personal safety when moving around the boat.

Grapnel, Grapple - A small multi-pronged anchor used on dinghies and small boats. Also used to drag along the bottom to recover something that has sunk.

Gripes - Small lines or bands used to hold down and secure boats on deck while at sea.

Grommet - A ring or eyelet normally used to attach a line, such as on a sail.

Ground Tackle - A collective term for the anchor, anchor rode (line or chain), and all the shackles and other gear used for attachment.

Guardrail - The upper deck rail along both sides of a vessel to prevent anyone on board from falling overboard.

Gudgeon - A ring-shaped fitting into which the rudder pintle is inserted which allows the rudder to pivot.

Gunnels - See Gunwhale.

Gunter Rig - Development of the lugsail rig where the sail is cut with a very short luff and lon leech.

Gunwale - The upper edge of a boat's side; the part of a vessel where hull and deck meet.

Gusset - A brace, usually triangular, for reinforcing a corner or angle in the framework of a structure.

Guy - A supporting or steadying line or wire; a line used to control the end of a spar. A spinnaker pole, for example, has one end attached to the mast, while the free end is moved back and forth with a guy.

Gybe - (Jibe) Turning the boat so that the stern crosses the wind, changing direction. To change direction before the wind onto another tack with the boom coming over by the force of the wind. Caution is needed in this maneuver, especially in heavy wind.

Gypsy - A windlass or capstan drum.

H

H-Beams - Steel beams with cross section like the letter "H."

Half Hitch - A single turn of line around an object with the end being led back through the bight. It's the basis upon which many nautical knots are contructed.

Halyard - A line used to hoist or lower a sail, flag or spar. The tightness of the halyard can affect sail shape.

Hand Lead - A weight attached to a line used to determine depth by lowering it into the water.

Hand Rail - A hand hold. Usually along the cabin top or ladder.

Handy-billy - A movable block and tackle used on board for a variety of purposes, including the handling of cargo in holds.

Hanks - Rings or piston hooks by which sails are attach to stays, usually spring-loaded; metal hooks used to secure a sail to a stay; to hank on a sail is to hook it on a stay using the hanks.

Hard Chine - An abrupt intersection between the hull side and the hull bottom of a boat.

Hatch - A sliding or hinged opening in the deck, providing people with access to the cabin or space below; an opening in a boat's deck fitted with a watertight cover.

Hatch Covers - Covers for closing up hatchways.

Hatchway - One of the large square openings in the deck of a ship through which freight is hoisted in or out, and access is had to the hold.

Hawse - That part of a ship's bow where the hawse holes and hawse pipes are situated.

Hawse Hole - A hole in the hull for mooring lines, cable, or chain to run through.

Hawse Pipe - Pipes made of heavy cast iron or steel through which the anchor chain runs; placed in the ship's bow on each side of the stem, or in some cases also at the stern when a stern anchor is used.

Hawse Plug or Block - A stopper used to prevent water from entering the hawse hole in heavy weather.

Hawser - A heavy line or cable used for towing, mooring or anchoring a large vessel.

Head - (1) A marine toilet or the compartment containing a toilet. (2) Generally, the top or forward part. (3) The upper corner of a triangular sail. (4) The top portion of a mast.

Headboard - A small wooden, metal or plastic insertion at the head of a mainsail.

Headfoil - A grooved metal extrusion fitted on a forestay and used to secure the luff of a sail by holding its bolt rope in place.

Headsail - A sail set forward of the foremast on the headstay; a foresail.

Headstay - The stay leading from the mast to the bow.

Headway - The forward motion of a boat through the water. Opposite of sternway.

Heaving Line - A light line with a weight on the end used for heaving from ship to shore (or ship to ship) when coming alongside. A heavier cable or hawser is attached which can then be hauled over using the heaving line.

Helm - The apparatus by which a vessel is steered, including the rudder, steering wheel and tiller.

Highliner - The best of its type of fishing boat. Word originates from a time when the crew used to fish from the deck of a vessel. The best fisherman got the highest place on deck, up in the bow, so his line was the highest above the sea.

Hiking Stick - An extension to the tiller allowing the helmsman to steer while hiking. This may be desired for improved visibility or stability.

Hitch - (1) A knot used to secure a line to another object such as a ring or cylindrical object or to another line; (2) Common term for an enlistment.

Hold - A general name for the spaces below the main deck designated for stowage of general cargo.

Holding Tank - A storage tank where sewage is stored until it can be removed to a treatment facility.

Hook - Slang for anchor.

Hoop - On gaff-rigged sailing vessels the luff of the mainsail is secured to the mast by wooden hoops, which slide up or down the mast as the sail is raised or lowered.

Horn Timber - A heavy longitudinal timber that angles upward from the stern to support the underside of the fantail.

Horns - (1) The points of the jaws of a boom or gaff where they embrace the mast. (2) The outer ends of the crosstrees. Horse Latitudes - Areas of the ocean lying between the mostly westerly winds of the higher latitudes, and the trade winds. These areas usually have prolonged calms, and in the older days of sail it could take quite a while to clear out of this area, by which time the seamen had worked off their "dead horses".

Hounds - Wooden shoulders attached below the masthead to either side of a wooden mast which originally supported the trestle trees.

Hovercraft - A vessel used for the transportation of passengers and cargo riding on a cushion of air formed under it. It is very maneuverable and is also amphibious.

Hull - The main structural body or shell of the boat, not including the deck, keel, mast, or cabin.

Hydrofoil - A craft more or less similar to the Hovercraft insofar as it flies over water and thus eliminates friction between the water and the hull. Under acceleration it rises above water but remains in contact with the surface through supporting legs or foils.

Hydrowire - Steel wire, used to support over-the-side sampling apparatus.

I

I-Beams - Steel beams with cross section like the letter "I."

Inboard - (1) Toward the center of the boat. (2) An engine that is mounted inside the boat.

Indiaman - Any of the large sailing ships engaged in the British trade with India from roughly 1600 to 1880.

Inflatable - A dinghy or raft that can be inflated for use or deflated for easy stowage.

Inverter - Electrical power converter; converts square-wave DC current to sine-wave AC current

Irish Pennants - Loose ends of line left hanging over a ship's side.

Iron Genny - Auxiliary engine

Isinglass - The clear, soft plastic material used for dodger window panels

J

Jack - The national flag flown on a jackstaff on the bow of naval ships while anchored.

Jack Lines - Safety lines, usually of flat webbing, that run along the deck between bow and stern used to attach a tether from a safety harness.

Jackass Barque - Four-masted sailing ship square-rigged on the two foremost masts and fore-and-aft rigged on the two after masts.

Jackstaff - A short vertically erected pole at the bow on which the national flag is hoisted on naval ships while at anchor.

Jackstay - A line or cable secured between two points and used as a support for various purposes.

Jackyard - A yard or pole extending the head or foot of the topsail beyond the topmast or gaff of a gaff-rigged boat.

Jacobs Ladder - A rope ladder with wooden steps. A rope ladder, lowered from the deck, as when pilots or passengers come aboard.

Jam Cleat - A cleat designed to hold a line in place without slipping. It consists of two narrowing jaws with teeth in which the line is placed.

Jaw - The distance between a rope's adjacent strands, giving a measure of the tightness of the lay. The shorter the distance, the harder the lay. When a line has been overused and the lay has become slack, it is said to be slack-jawed.

Jaws - A fitting holding a boom or gaff to the mast.

Jenny - A genoa jib. A large jib that overlaps the mast.

Jewel Blocks - On square-rigged ships, the blocks attached to those yards on which studdingsails were set.

Jib - The foremost sail; a triangular shaped foresail forward of the foremast.

Jib Netting - A rope net to catch the jib when it is lowered.

Jib Sheet - The lines that lead from the clew of the jib to the cockpit1 and are used to control the jib.

Jib Stay - The stay that the jib is hoisted on. Usually the headstay.

Jib Topsail - A small jib set high on the headstay of a double headsail rig.

Jib-boom - Spar forward of bowsprit to extend the foot of the outer jib.

Jib-Headed Topsail - A triangular topsail set above the mainsail in a gaff-rigged vessel.

Jibstay - The headstay on which jibs are hoisted.

Jigger - (1) A light tackle consisting of a double and single block used for many small purposes onboard. (2) Aft sail on the mizzen mast of a yawl or a ketch, or on the jigger-mast of a schooner.

Jigger-Mast - After mast on a schooner or sailing ship carrying a spanker; usually the fourth mast of a five or six masted schooner.

Jockey Pole - A spar used to prevent the spinnaker guy from fouling on the stanchions.

Jolly Roger - In lore, the flag flown by a pirate ship - a white skull on a black background with crossed bones below the skull - although there is no evidence that such a flag was ever flown.

Jumbo - The largest of the headsails; corresponds to the genoa.

Jumper Strut - A short strut on a mast angled forward at about 45° which spreads the effective angle of a short jumper stay. This adds stiffness and support to the mast.

Junk - (1) A sailing vessel common in the Far East. It's flat-bottomed, high sterned, has square bows, and has two or three masts carrying lugsails. (2) Old and condemned rope.

K

Kayak - Eskimo word for a light, covered-in canoe type boat.

Keckling - Winding small rope around a cable or hawser to prevent damage by chafing. The rope with which a cable is keckled.

Kedge - (1) A small auxiliary anchor. (2) To kedge is to move a vessel (e.g., a grounded boat) by setting out an anchor and pulling the boat toward it by taking up on the anchor rode.

Keel - (1) The backbone of a vessel, running fore and aft along the center line of the bottom of the hull; the timber at the very bottom of the hull to which frames are attached. (2) A flat surface built into the bottom of the boat to prevent or reduce the leeway caused by the wind pushing against the side of the boat. A keel also usually has some ballast to help keep the boat upright and prevent it from heeling too much. There are several types of keels, such as fin keels and full keels.

Keel Blocks - Blocks on which the keel of a vessel rests when being built, or when she is in dry dock.

Keel Stepped - A mast that is stepped (placed) on the keel at the bottom of the boat rather than on the deck. Keel stepped masts are considered sturdier than deck stepped masts.

Keelson - A beam attached to the top of the floors to add strength to the keel on a wooden boat.

Kentledge - Permanent pip iron ballast specially shaped and placed along each side of keelson. Name is sometimes given to any iron ballast.

Ketch - A sailboat with two masts. Generally, the shorter mizzen mast is aft of the main mast, but forward of the rudder post, while a similar vessel, the yawl, has the mizzen mast aft of the rudder post. The mizzen mast of a ketch is larger than that of a yawl.

Killick - Nautical name for an anchor. Originally, was a stone used as an anchor.

King Plank - The center plank on a wooden deck.

King Post - A vertical post usually employed as a support - Also called a Sampson post.

King Spoke - The top spoke (usually marked) on the steering wheel when the rudder is centered.

Kite - A light sail, such as a spinnaker, used to make the most of light following winds.

Knee - An angle or channel from deck beam to shell frame taking the place of a bracket.

Knees - Supporting braces made into a right angle, used for strength when two parts are joined.

Knockabout - A type of schooner without a bowsprit.

Knot - (1) A speed of one nautical mile (6,076 feet or or 1,852 meters) per hour. It is incorrect to say knots per hour. (2) A method of attaching a rope or line to itself, another line or a fitting.

L

Lacing - A length of line or thin rope; A line used to attach a sail to a spar.

Ladder - Stairway of inclined or vertical steps on board ship.

Lanyard - A Short line used to attach one thing to another - a short rope or cord that secures or attaches an item onboard a boat, usually for keeping it attached to the boat.

Lapper - A large foresail which extends aft behind the mast.

Lapstrake - The overlapping of wooden planks, used to form the outer surface of a boat's hull.

Larboard - The original name for the left side of the vessel when facing forward. The name was changed to Port to avoid any confusion with starboard, the right side of the vessel when facing forward.

Lash - To tie something with a line; to secure.

Lashing - A rope used for securing any movable object in place.

Lateen - Narrow triangular sail set on a long yard or spar, the forward end of which is hauled down so that it sets obliquely on the mast with a high peak.

Lazarette - Compartment in the stern of a vessel used for storage; a storage space below the deck in the cockpit.

Lazy Guy - A line attached to the boom to prevent it from accidentally gybing.

Lazyjacks - Light lines from the topping lift to the boom, forming a cradle into which the mainsail may be lowered.

Lead - Refers to the direction in which a line goes.

Lead Line - A line with a weight on the end used to measure depth. The lead is dropped into the water and marks on the line are read to determine the current water depth. The lead usually has a cavity to return a sample of the bottom type mud, sand, etc.

Leeboards - Boards fixed vertically to a boat to prevent leeway.

Leech - After or trailing edge of a sail; the after edge of a fore-and-aft sail and the outer edges of a square sail.

Leech Line - A line used to tighten the leech of a sail, helping to create proper sail shape.

Leecloths - Cloths hung on the lee side of a berth to keep one from rolling out of their bunk.

Length Over All (L.O.A.) - Measured from the most forward part of the fore end to the most after part of the after end of the hull.

Life Jacket - A device used to keep a person afloat. Also called a life preserver, life vest, PFD or personal floatation device.

Life Raft - A raft used in case of emergencies, such as sinking or fire.

Life Vest - A wearable device used to keep a person afloat. Also called a life jacket, life preserver, PFD or personal floatation device.

Lifeboat - Small boat carried on the vessel and used in case of emergency.

Lifebuoy, Life Ring - a circular donut-shaped buoy designed to support a person in the water. It is attached to the vessel with a (floating) line so that the person can be hauled back to the boat.

Lifeline - Stout line or cable fore and aft around the deck of the boat to keep crew from falling overboard.

Lifts - On square-rigged ships, the lines which are lead from the masthead to the ends of the yards to support them.

Light Load Line - The water line when the ship rides empty.

Light Port - An opening in a ship's side, provided with a glazed lid or cover for the admission of light.

Light Sails - Sails, such as the spinnaker, reacher and reaching staysail used when running or reaching.

Lighter - General name for a broad, flat-bottomed boat used in transporting cargo between a vessel and the shore. The distinction between a lighter and a barge is more in the manner of use than in equipment. The term "lighter" refers to a short haul, generally in connection with loading and unloading operations of vessels in harbor while the term "barge" is more often used when the cargo is being carried to its destination over a long distance.

Lignum Vitae - A smooth hard wood grown in the West Indies which had many maritime uses, such as deadeyes and the sheaves of blocks. Its hardness stood up well to wear, and its smoothness allowed lines to render through easily.

Limber Holes - Holes in the bottoms of floors or floor timbers for drainage; holes in the bilge crossframes to allow bilge water to drain to the lowest point, which is where the bilge pump would be located.

Line - Rope and cordage used aboard a vessel. A particular line generally derives its name from the object it affects.

Line Gun - A gun used to shoot a messenger line from one ship to another, or to persons stranded.

Liner - A passenger or cargo-carrying ship which is operated between scheduled, advertised ports of loading and discharge on a regular basis.

Lines - The naval architect's drawings of a ship showing the various sections.

Linestoppers - A device used to keep a line from slipping, such as a jamcleat.

Load Water Line (LWL) - A line painted on the side of the vessel to which the vessel sinks when carrying its full load. The water line when a vessel is carrying its full load.

Locker - A closet or chest-like storage space.

Log Room - Where a vessel's records, especially engineering records, are kept.

Loggerhead - The wooden bit in the stem of a whaling boat around which the harpoon line was controlled.

Long Splice - Joining the ends of two lines without increasing the thickness over the length of the splice, so that the splice will pass freely through a block.

Long Ton - 2,240 pounds (1016.05 kilograms).

Longitudinal - A bulkhead, frame, or longitudinal stiffener, running fore and aft.

Loose-footed - A sail attached to the boom at the tack and clew, but not along the foot, or a fore-and-aft sail which is set without a boom.

Low and Aloft - An expression describing a sailing ship set with every sail she can carry.

Lubber's Hole - An opening in the floor of the tops of a square-rigged vessel's masts, giving access from below. Timid crew climbing the rigging preferred to go through this hole to reach the top rather than over the futtock shrouds, the path taken by more experienced sailors.

Luff - The forward edge of a fore-and-aft sail.

Lug or Lugsail - A four sided sail bent onto a yard. Similar to a gaff sail, but with a wider throat.

Lugger - A sailing vessel rigged with lugsails.

Lugs - Metal or plastic pieces attached to a sail's luff that slide in a mast track to allow easy hoisting of the sail.

M

Main Beam - Transverse structural member supporting the deck and, in most modern sailboats, the deck-stepped mast; also the designated location of the ship's Official Number and (in some instances) Tonnage (affixed to or cut into the beam).

Main Deck - The uppermost complete deck.

Main Mast - The tallest mast; the forward mast of a yawl or ketch; the mast furthest aft on a schooner.

Main Topsail - A topsail on the main mast.

M6ainsail - The principal sail that is set on the main mast.

Mainsheet - The line that controls the angle of the mainsail in its relation to the wind.

Marconi Rig - The most common type of sail used today, a triangle-shaped mainsail defined by the mast and one horizontal boom perpendicular to the mast.

Marl - To wrap a small line around another.

Marline - Pronounced "marlin" - small line used for whipping, seizing, and lashing.

Marling Hitch - Used for lashing down sails, awnings, etc., a series of round turns where the end is passed over the standing part and under the bight and pulled taut on each turn.

Martingale - On square-rigged ships, the stay which holds the jib-boom down against the pull of the fore topgallant-mast stays.

Mast - The vertical pole or spar that supports the boom and sails. a mast on a mechanically propelled vessel holds electronics antennas, lights, etc.

Mast Boot - A protective cover wrapped around the mast at the deck on a keel stepped boat to prevent water from entering the boat.

Mast Head - The top of the mast.

Mast Hoops - Rings around a mast which can slide vertically, attached to the forward edge of a sail, which hold the sail in place.

Mast Partners - Reinforcements for a mast where it passes through a deck.

Mast Slot/Groove - The opening in the back (aft) edge of the mast in which the mainsail luff rope slides when it is hoisted. Some masts have an external sail track.

Mast Step - The fitting in the bottom of the boat in which the bottom or heel if the mast sits.

Mast Tangs - Fittings on the mast to which the forestay and shrouds attach.

Mast Track - A track or groove in the back of the mast to which the sail is attached by means of lugs or the bolt rope.

Masthead - The top of a mast.

Masthead Rig - A design in which the forestay runs to the top of the mast.

Mess - Dining room facilities and kitchen for crew separate from the passenger dining room and kitchen.

Mess Deck - Where meals are eaten.

Messroom - A dining room on a ship.

Midships - In the middle portion of the boat - Roughly halfway between a ship's stem and stern, and where the beam usually is the widest.

Mizzen - A small sail set on the mizzenmast.

Mizzenmast - The mast aft of the mainmast in a sailing ship - the shorter mast behind the main mast on a ketch or yawl, or the third aftermost mast of a three-masted schooner or square-rigged ship.

Mold Loft - The large enclosed floor where the lines of a vessel are laid out and the molds or templates made.

Monkey Fist - A large heavy knot usually made in the end of a heaving line to aid in accurate throwing.

Monohull - A boat with one hull.

Moonraker - On square-rigged ships, a small light square sail set above the skysail in fair weather. If the sail were triangular, it would be called a Skyscraper.

Mooring Bitt - A strong pair of iron, steel or wooden posts on a ship's deck, around which ropes or cables are wound and held fast.

Mooring Line - A line used to secure a boat to an anchor, dock, or mooring.

Motor - (1) An engine. (2) The act of using an engine to move a boat.

Multi-Hull - A vessel formed of two or more hulls. A catamaran has two hulls, and a trimaran has three hulls.

Mushroom Anchor - A type of anchor with a heavy inverted mushroom shaped head. Mushroom anchors are used to anchor in mud and other soft ground.

N

National Flag - The flag carried by a ship to show her nationality.

Naval Architect - One who designs ships.

Naval Architecture - The art and science of designing vessels.

Navigation Bridge - The bridge used for taking observations, or directing the handling of the ship.

Navigation Lights - Required lights on a boat help others determine its course, position and what it is doing. Boats underway should have a red light visible from its port bow, a green light on the starboard bow and a white light at its stern. Other lights are required for vessels under power, fishing, towing, etc.

Nip - (1) A short turn or twist in a line. (2) The seized part of an eye splice.

Nipper - A short length of line, usually braided or marled, used to temporarily bind the anchor cable to the messenger when the anchor is weighed by hand around the capstan.

Norman - A pin placed through the head of a rudder to prevent it from being lost.

O

Oakum - A material made of tarred hemp or manila rope fibers, used for caulking seams of decks and sides of a wooden ship in order to make them watertight.

Oar - A pole with a blade at the end used to row a rowboat. Oars are different than paddles because they have a provision to be secured to the rowboat for rowing, such as an oarlock. The three parts to an oar are: the blade, the part which enters the water; the shaft, the main body of the oar: and the loom, the inboard end on which the rower pulls.

Oarlock - A device to attach oars to a rowboat, allowing the operator to row rather than paddle the boat.

Officer's Mess - Dining room facilities for officers separate from the crew and passenger dining room.

Official Number - Definition and cross-reference to Tonnage.

On Board - On or in a ship.

On the Beam - The direction at right angles to a ship's heading or the line of her keel.

On the Bow - To the bow of the boat, forward of the beam.

One-design - Any boat built to certain standards or rules so that is like all others in the same class.

Orlop - Name given to the lowest deck in a ship.

Outboard - (1) Toward or beyond the boat's sides. (2) A detachable engine mounted on a boat's stern.

Outdrive - A propulsion system for boats with an inboard engine operating an exterior drive, with drive shaft, gears, and propeller; also called stern-drive and inboard/outboard.

Outer Skin - The outside plating of a vessel.

Outhaul - A control line that adjusts tension along the foot of the sail, pulling the clew away from the tack; used to maintain proper sail shape.

Outrigger - A structure which extends outboard beyond the edge of the hull for some special purpose. Some Polynesian canoes use outriggers to support an "ama" or small secondary hull, while fishing boats may use outriggers to suspend lines or nets over the water.

Overhang - The area of the bow or stern projecting above and beyond a perpendicular from the water line at stem or stern.

Overhead - Nautical equivalent of ceiling

Owner's Flag - A boat owner's private pennant.

P

Paddle - A stick with a blade in the end of it used to propel a small boat through the water; The act of using a paddle to propel a boat.

Painter - A line tied to the bow of a small boat for use in towing, securing or tying up.

Parclose - Limber hole of a ship.

Parting Strop - Strop inserted between two hawsers, and weaker than the hawsers, so that strop, and not hawsers, will part with any excessive strain.

Partners - A framework of supporting structures used to support areas where high loads come through openings in the deck, such as the opening in the deck through which the mast passes.

Passenger Ship - A ship that is authorized to carry more than twelve passengers.

Peak - The upper corner of a four sided sail or outer end of the gaff.

Pedestal - Columnar support for the steering wheel in the cockpit.

Pennant - A small tapering flag, which can be used for identification or communication.

Piggin - Very small wooden pail having one stave prolonged to form a handle. Used as a bailer in a boat.

Pillar - Any steel bar or column, fitted vertically, to support a deck, or any part of a ship's structure. Also called a stanchion.

Pillow - Block of timber mounted on the deck just inside the bow on which the inner end of the bowsprit was supported.

Pilothouse - A compartment on or near the bridge of a ship that contains the steering wheel and other controls, compass, charts, navigating equipment and means of communicating with the engine room and other parts of the ship. Also known as wheelhouse.

Pin Rail - A rail fastened along the inside of the bulwarks of a vessel and pierced to hold belaying pins.

Pinnace - Formerly, a small, two-masted sailing vessel sometimes with oars.

Pintle - A tapered metal pin which fastens the rudder to the stern by dropping into gudgeons.

Planing Hull - A type of hull shaped to glide easily across the water at high speed.

Plank Sheer - On a wooden vessel, the outermost deck plank covering the gunwale. also called Covering Board.

Planking - Wood boards used to cover the ribs, frames, deck or hull of a wooden vessel.

Plimsoll Line - The mark stencilled in and painted on a ship's side, designated by a circle and horizontal lines to mark the highest permissible load water lines under different conditions.

Pole - (1) A spar. Such as a pole used to position a sail (e.g., spinnaker pole or whisker pole, which serves the same purpose for a jib). (2) One of the two points around which the earth spins, known as the north and south poles.

Pontoon - A hollow, watertight tank used to give buoyancy.

Poop Deck - The short aftermost raised deck of a vessel.

Poop Rail - A rail surrounding the poop deck.

Port - (1) The left side of the boat when facing forward; originally called larboard. The opposite of starboard. (2) - A porthole. A window in the side of a boat, usually round or with rounded corners. (3) A harbor.

Porthole - Openings in a ship's hull for ventilation, light and other purposes.

Pram - A flat bottomed, blunt nosed dinghy (or small boat).

Preventer - (1) Line and blocks or the boom vang used to keep the boom in place while reaching or running and to prevent an out of control swing during an accidental jibe. (2) Any additional line or wire temporarily rigged to back up any standing rigging in heavy weather.

Prop - Slang for propeller.

Propeller - A rotating device, with two or more blades, that acts as a screw in propelling a vessel. Sometimes called a screw.

Prow - The bow and forward part of the vessel above the waterline.

Pulpit - An elevated guardrail set up at the bow of a vessel. When erected at the stern, it is called a pushpit.

Punt - A small flat bottomed boat square at either end.

Purse Seine - The small boats used to drag and close the Seine.

Pushpit - A pulpit located on the stern.

Q

Q Flag, Quarantine Flag - The Quebec pennant is flown when first entering a country, indicating that the people on the ship are healthy and that the vessel wants permission to visit the country. The flag means "My vessel is healthy and I request free pratique.

Quarter - (1) That portion of the vessel forward of the stern and abaft of the beam. "On the quarter" applies to a bearing 45º abaft the beam. Every boat has a starboard and a port quarter. (2) Mercy shown to captives or enemies, such as giving quarter to the passengers of a seized vessel.

Quarter Berth - A bunk which runs under the cockpit.

Quarter Boat - Boat carried at davits on quarter of ship, and kept ready for immediate use when at sea.

Quarter Spring - Line led forward, from quarter of a vessel, to prevent her from moving astern.

Quarterdeck - The part of the upper deck which is abaft the mainmast, or in that general location of a ship without one. The quarterdeck was normally reserved for officers.

Quarters - Living space for the crew.

Queen Topsail - Small staysail located between the foremast and mainmast.

R

Rack - The operation of temporarily holding two lines together by seizing.

Radar - Radio Detection and Ranging. An electronic instrument that uses radio waves to find the distance and bearing of other objects. Used to avoid collisions, particularly in times of poor visibility.

Radar Arch - An arch to mount the radar, usually at the stern of the boat.

Radar Reflector - An object designed to increase the radio reflectivity of a boat so that it is more visible on radar. Many small boats are made with fiberglass and other materials that do not reflect radar very well on their own.

Radio - An instrument that uses radio waves to communicate with other vessels. VHF very high frequency - radios are common for marine use, but are limited in range.

Raft - A small flat boat, usually inflatable.

Rail - (1) The edge where the deck joins the hull; top edge of bulwarks. (2) The railing around the deck.

Rake - The inclination of a vessel's mast from its vertical position. The rake may be either forward or aft, and can be deliberately induced (by adjustment of the standing rigging) to flatten sails, balance steering, etc. Normally slightly aft. The term can also be used to describe the degree of overhang of a vessel's bow and stern.

Ram - A strengthened or armored projection from the bow of a warship for the purpose of disabling or sinking an enemy ship by ramming her.

Ratlines - Small lines tied between the shrouds that form steps to function as a ladder to climb the rigging.

Reciprocating Engine - A form of steam engine where a piston moves back and forth inside a cylinder, transmitting its motion to a driving shaft by a connecting rod and crank.

Reef - (1) The rolled up part of a sail, tied with the reef lines, that is used to reduce sail area for heavy winds; To reduce the sail area. (2) A group of rocks or coral generally at a depth shallow enough to present a hazard to navigation.

Reef Cringles - Reinforced cringles or thimbles in the sail designed to hold the reefing lines when reefing the sail.

Reef Knot - Also known as the square knot, it is formed by two half hitches in which the ends always fall in line with the outer parts. This knot is used to loosely tie lines around the bundles of sail that are not in use after reefing.

Reef Lines - Short pieces of line fastened to the sail at reef points, used for tying a reef to reduce sail area. The reef line will pass through reef cringles, which will become the new tack and clew of the reefed sail.

Reef Points - Short lengths of line attached to the sail used to tie the extra sail out of the way when reefing.

Reeve - To pass or lead a line through a block or other object. When the end of a line is passed through anything, it is said to be "rove" through it.

Render - (1) The action of a line as it passes over the sheave of a block. (2) The act of easing away gently.

Revenue Cutter - A single masted cutter built expressly for the prevention of smuggling and the enforcement of customs regulations.

Ribband - Strips of material temporarily holding parts of a ship in position.

Ribs - The frames or timbers of a ship as they rise from the keel to form the shape of the hull.

Rig - The way a boats spars and sails are arranged. To rig a vessel is to fit her with masts, spars, sails and running and standing rigging; term is also used to mean the setting up a device, e.g., to rig a lifeline, a tackle, etc.

Rigging - A general term applying to all the lines, stays and shrouds necessary for spars and sails. The standing rigging is the mast, shrouds and stays, while running rigging refers to halyards and sheets that control the sails.

Rivet - A metal pin by which the plating and other parts of iron and steel vessels are joined. Rivets are known by their heads, such as: Flush, pan, snap, plug, tap, countersunk, mushroom, and swollen neck.

Roach - A curve out from the aft edge (leech) of a sail. Battens are sometimes used to help support and stiffen the roach.

Rocker - The upward curvature of the keel towards the bow and stern.

Rode - The anchor line, cable or chain that connect the anchor to the boat.

Rogue Knot - Seaman's name for a reef knot tied upside down. also called a "granny" knot.

Rope - When rope comes aboard a vessel and is put to use, it is called line, although some still call it rope if it is over one inch in diameter. A coil of rope that is not designated for any particular use.

Rose Box - The strainer at the end of the suction pipe of a bilge pump which prevents solid material in the bilges from being sucked into the pump and choking it. Also known as a strum box.

Rowboat - A small boat designed to be rowed by use of its oars. Some dinghies are rowboats.

Royal - On a square-rigged ship, a light weather sail set next above the topgallant-sail in fair weather.

Rubrail - Also rubbing strake or rub strake. An applied or thickened member at the rail, running the length of the boat; serves to protect the hull when alongside a pier or another boat.

Rudder - A board-shaped swinging vane, controlled by a tiller or wheel, and attached to the rudderpost or stern for steering and maneuvering a vessel.

Rudder Post - The post that the rudder is attached to. The wheel or tiller is connected to the rudder post.

Running Backstay, Runners - Adjustable stays used to support and control tension on the mast when the wind is from abaft the beam; temporary backstays used to stabilize the mast and prevent undue flexing due to the pumping action of the sea.

Running Bowline - A type of knot that tightens under load. It is formed by running the standing line through the loop formed in a regular bowline, or by tying around a bight in the line.

Running Lights - Lights required to be shown on boats underway between sunset and sunrise; they tell other vessels not only where you are, but what you are doing.

Running Rigging - All control lines such as sheets and halyards used to control the sails.

S

Saddle - A block of wood or a bracket attached to a spar to support another spar attached to it.

Sail - A large piece of fabric designed to be hoisted on the spars of a sailboat in such a manner as to catch the wind and propel the boat.

Sail Shape - The shape of a sail, with regard to its efficiency. Controls such as the cunningham, boom vang, outhaul, traveler, halyards, leech line, sheets, and the bend of the mainmast all can affect sail shape. Also sail trim.

Sail Track - A slot into which the bolt rope or lugs in the luff of the sail are inserted to attach the sail.

Sailboat - A boat which uses the wind as its primary means of propulsion.

Sailcloth - A fabric, usually synthetic, used to make sails.

Sailing Rig - The equipment used to sail a boat, including sails, booms and gaffs, lines and blocks, etc.

Salon - Also saloon; the main social cabin of a boat

Sampson Post - A strong vertical post used to attach lines for towing or mooring.

Scantlings - The dimensions of all parts which go into the construction of a ship's hull.

Scarf or Scarph - The joining of two timbers by beveling the edges so the same thickness is maintained throughout the length of the joint.

Schooner - A fore-and-aft rigged sailboat with two or more masts. The aft mast is the same size or larger than the forward ones.

Scow - A boat with a flat bottom and square ends.

Screw - A boat's propeller.

Scupper - An opening in a deck, cockpit, toe-rail or gunwale to allow water to run off the deck and drain back into the sea.

Sea Boat - Ship's boat kept ready for immediate lowering while at sea. When used for life-saving, it was called an "accident boat" or lifeboat.

Seacock - A through hull valve, a shut off on a plumbing or drain pipe between the vessel and the sea

Seam - On vessels constructed of wood, the narrow gap between the planks which form the decks and sides and were caulked to make them watertight. Since wood swells when it's in contact with water, a narrow seam is necessary to allow for the expansion.

Seine - The large nets used for fishing they have weights on one edge and floats on the other. They can be closed to contain the fish.

Seize - (1) To bind a line with marline, cord, twine, wire, or other "small stuff" to prevent accidental opening or unraveling (2) To freeze up, as a valve.

Seized - Bound together.

Seizing - The cord, twine or other small stuff which is used to seize line.

Shackle - A U-shaped fitting closed with a pin across the open ends, the pin sometimes being threaded at one end and sometimes held in place with a cotter pin, and used to secure sails to lines or fittings, lines to fittings, fittings to fittings, anchors to chain, etc.

Shaft Strut - A term applied to a bracket supporting the after end of the propeller shaft and the propeller.

Shallop - (1) Small boat for one or two rowers. (2) Small fishing vessel with foresail, boom mainsail, and mizzen trysail.

Shank - The main shaft of an anchor which connects the arms to the anchor ring.

Shear Pin - A safety device, used to fasten a propeller to its shaft; it breaks when the propeller hits a solid object, thus preventing further damage.

Sheathing - A covering to protect the bottom of a boat.

Sheepshank - A knot used to temporarily shorten a line.

Sheer - The straight or curved line of the deck line; curvature of the lines of a vessel toward the bow and stern.

Sheer Plan - A vertical longitudinal center line section of a vessel.

Sheer Strake - The topmost planking in the sides, next below the gunwale, often thicker than other planking.

Sheet Bend - A hitch used to join two ropes. It can be used between lines of different diameters.

Shell - (1) The outside plating of a ship from stem to stern. (2) The outer casing of a block inside which the sheave revolves.

Ship - (1) Generic name for a large sea-going vessel. (2) To take an object aboard, such as cargo, or water. (3) To put items such as oars on the boat when not in use.

Shipwright - A ship builder, or one who works about a ship. Does wood carpentry on the ship and keeps ships faired. Builds launching ways and launches ship.

Shoe - (1) A false keel. (2) The projection of the keel abaft the stern frame where the spindle of the rudder rests.

Short Splice - To permanently join two pieces of rope. It will not pass through a block since it increases the diameter

Shroud - Part of the standing rigging that helps to support the mast laterally by running from the top of the mast to the side of the boat. Sailboats usually have one or more shrouds on each side of the mast. Some people call them side stays

Skeg - An extension of the keel for protection of propeller and rudder.

Skeleton (Of a vessel) - The hull without the outside and inside plating.

Skiff - Technically, a flat-bottomed boat, but often used to name any small boat for rowing, sculling, or fitted with an outboard motor

Skin - The plating of a ship.

Skylight - A framing of metal fitted over an opening in a deck, with glass or plexiglass inserted for the admission of light into a cabin, engine room, etc.

Skysail - On a square-rigged ship, a light weather sail set next above the royal in fair weather.

Skyscraper - On a square-rigged ship, a small triangular sail set above the skysail in fair weather. A square version is called a Moonraker.

Sliding Ways - A structure of heavy timbers placed between ground ways and cradle to support the ship during launching.

Sloop - A single masted vessel with fore and aft rigged sails.

Snap Hook - A metal fitting with an arm that uses a spring to close automatically when connected to another object.

Snatch Block - A block with a single sheave which is hinged and opens on the side so that the bight of a line can be led into the block and closed without running the whole length through

Sole - Cabin or salon deck or floor; the inside deck of the ship

Spanker - An additional sail hoisted on the mizzen mast to take advantage of a following wind.

Spar - A pole used as part of the sailboat rigging, such as masts, booms, gaffs, yards, etc. A vertical spar is a mast.

Spider - An outrigger used to hold a block clear of a mast or of the ship's side.

Splashboard - A raised portion of the hull forward of the cockpit intended to prevent water entering.

Spritsail - A four-sided fore-and-aft sail set on a sprit.

Square Rigger - Large ships dating back to the 17th century typically with three masts carrying rectangular sails mounted on horizontal spars called yards. A sailing-ship rig with rectangular sails set approximately at right angles to the keel line from horizontal yards.

Square Knot - A knot consisting of two overhand knots used to join two lines of similar size. Also called a reef knot. Squawk Box - Ship's intercom system

Stabilizers - Wing-like retractable devices extending from the sides of the vessel to dampen down rolling in seas and produce a steadier, smoother, and more comfortable motion.

Stanchion - A vertical support for guardrails and lifelines.

Starboard - The right side of the boat when facing forward.

Stargazer - On a square-rigged ship, a small sail set in light weather above the moonraker.

Stateroom - Cabin; sleeping compartment.

Stay - A line or wire from the mast to the bow or stern of a ship, for support of the mast; rigging used to support the mast from forward or aft.

Staysail or Stays'l - A triangular fore-and-aft sail carried on a stay. A sail that is set on a stay, and not on a yard or a mast. On a cutter this is the sail located between the jib and the main sail

Steadying Sail - Also stability sail or riding sail. Any small sail set to help the boat maintain its direction without necessarily moving, as when at anchor or in heavy weather.

Steamer - A steamship. A ship propelled by a steam engine.

Stem - The forward edge of the bow. On a wooden boat the stem is a single timber.

Stempost - The principal vertical timber in a ship's bow.

Stepped - A mast that is in place is stepped.

Stern - The back (aftermost) part of a boat.

Stern Line - A line running from the stern of the boat to a dock or pier when moored.

Stern Post - (1) A large casting shaped to allow the propeller blades to revolve. The rudder is fitted on the after post. (2) The principal vertical timber in a ship's stern, upon which the rudder is fastened.

Stern Pulpit or Stern Rail - A sturdy railing or elevated guard rail around the deck at the stern. also known as Pushpit

Stern Tube - The bearing which supports the propeller shaft where it emerges from the ship.

Stirrups - On a square-rigged ship, the short pieces of line which hang from the yards and support the footropes on which the topmen stand while working aloft on the sails.

Stock - A crossbeam at the upper part of an anchor.

Stopper Knot - A knot used to form a knob in the end of a line to prevent the end from running through a block or other narrow space.

Storm Trysail - A very strong sail used in stormy weather. It is loose footed, being attached to the mast, but not the boom. This helps prevent boarding waves from damaging the sail or the rigging.

Strake - On wooden boats, a line of planking running from the bow to the stern along the hull.

Stringer - A longitudinal stiffener for the side of a ship, made of angle bar, bulb angle channel or plates, etc. Depending upon their locations, stringers are known as bilge stringers, side stringers, hole stringers, etc.

Superstructure - Any structure built above the top full deck, such as a deck house, bridge, etc.

T

Tabernacle - A hinged mast step located on deck. Since it is hinged, the mast may be raised and lowered easily.

Tack - (1) The lower forward corner of a triangular sail (2) The direction that a boat is sailing with respect to the wind. A sailboat cannot sail directly into the wind, and must therefore sail a zig zag course to windward, at about a 45 degree angle to the wind. (3) To change a boat's direction, bringing the bow through the eye of the wind.

Tackle - A purchase where two or more blocks are used to increase mechanical advantage, or the power exerted on a line. (pronounced "taykle").

Taffrail - The after rail at the stern of a ship. Also called a Pushpit

Tang - A metal fitting on the mast that the stays attached to the mast; a fitting on the mast for securing rigging.

Tanker - A tanker is a bulk carrier designed to transport liquid cargo, most often petroleum products.

Tanks - Are of two kinds: First, those built in permanently and part of the ship's structure, used for the reception of water ballast, fuel, oil, or liquid cargo; second, those constructed specially and removable if necessary. These vary greatly in size and shape and the purpose for which used.

Telltales - Ribbon, yarn, or other lightweight material attached to rigging or sails to indicate wind action or direction. Proper use of the telltales can help sailors improve their sail trim.

Tenon - The bottom of the mast, with a shape designed to fit into the mast step.

Tether - A line attached between a safety harness and a secure part of the boat.

Thole, Thole Pin - Metal or wooden peg inserted in gunwale of a boat for an oar to heave against when rowing without crutch or rowlock.

Throat - The forward upper corner of a four-sided sail. Also refers to the jaws of a gaff.

Thwart - A seat or brace running laterally across the width of a rowing boat.

Tiller - A bar or handle for turning a boat's rudder or an outboard motor, thereby steering the boat.

Tiller Extension - Hinged extension of the tiller which allows the skipper to control the tiller while hiking or sitting forward.

Timber Hitch - Method of securing a line around a spar by taking the standing part around the spar, then a half hitch around itself and the end tucked three or four times around its own part.

Timbers - On wooden vessels, the frames or ribs of a ship, connected to the keel, which give shape and strength to the ship's hull.

Toe-rail - A small low rail around the deck of a boat. The toe rail may have holes in it to attach lines or blocks and to allow drainage. A larger wall is known as a gunwale.

Top - on square-rigged ships, a platform at the masthead resting on the trestletrees and crosstrees. In addition to being a work platform, it extended the topmast shrouds to give additional support to the topmast.

Top Hamper - That portion of a vessel above the main deck.

Topgallant - (1) The mast section next above the topmast and and below the royal mast. (2) The yard supported by that mast. (3) The third lowest square sail. It is stretched between the topgallant yard and the top yard.

Topmast - A second mast carried at the top of the fore or main mast, used to fly more sail.

Topsail - The sail above the lowermost sail on a square-rigged ship; also, the sail set above and sometimes on the gaff on a gaff rigged boat.

Topsail Schooner - A schooner with a square rigged sail on the forward mast.

Topside - Above the main deck.

Topsides - (1) The sides of a vessel between the waterline and the deck. (2) Referring to on or above the deck; "I'm going topsides".

Trailing Edge - The aft edge of a sail, more commonly called the leech.

Transom - The athwartship portion of a hull at the stern. The flat, vertical aft end of a ship.

Transverse Bulkhead - A bulkhead placed athwartships.

Trawl - A large net with its mouth held open, towed by a trawler along the bottom to catch bottom fish.

Treenails - In wooden ship construction, these were cylindrical pins of oak which were used to secure the planks to her timbers. Pronounced "trennels".

Trestle Trees - Two short pieces of timber fixed horizontally fore and aft on each side of the lower masthead of a square rigged vessel and used to support the topmast, the lower crosstrees, and the top.

Triatic Stay - A stay leading from one mast, such as the main mast to another, such as the mizzen mast.

Trimaran - A multihulled boat with three hulls.

Tripline - A line attached to the crown of an anchor and used to help free it in the event it becomes fouled.

Trunk - The tall, narrow, waterproof box that houses a vessel's centerboard and allows it to be retracted into the ship's hull.

Trysail - A small, heavy triangular loose-footed sail fitted aft of the mast and used primarily in very strong winds.

Tug, Tugboat - A powerful, strongly built boat designed to tow or push other vessels, and to assist in maneuvering a ship in a confined area.

Turk's Head - An ornamental knot to provide a stopper on the end of a line.

Turn of the Bilge - The point where the bottom and the sides of a ship join.

Turnbuckle - A threaded, adjustable fitting, used for stays, lifelines and sometimes other rigging. It is used to to maintain correct tension on standing rigging. Can also be used to pull objects together.

Turning Block - Horizontally mounted block used to re-direct a line on deck.

Turtle Back - The top of a wheelhouse, forecastle, etc., having the form of a turtle's back. 'tween Decks,/b> - The space between any decks.

U

Unfurl - To unfold or unroll a sail. The opposite of furl.

Unreeve - To run a line completely through and out of a block, fairlead, etc.

Up and Down - Said of cable when it extends vertically and taut from anchor to hawsepipe.

Upper Deck - The highest continuous deck which runs the full length of the ship without a fall or interruption.

V

V-Berth - Usually the forward berth of the boat, located in the bow.

V-Bottom - A hull with the bottom section in the shape of a "V."

Van - The leading ship, or ships, in a fleet or squadron.

Vane - A small flag placed at the mast head to show wind direction.

Vang - A control line, usually a multi-purchase tackle, secured to the boom to prevent it from lifting. Can also apply to other spars, such as gaffs.

Vertical Clearance - The distance between the water level at chart datum and an overhead obstacle such as a bridge or power line.

Vessel - A general term for a floating craft that carries passengers, cargo or both

W

Waist - That part of the upper deck of a ship between the forecastle and the quarterdeck, or on sailing ships, between the fore and main masts.

Wall Knot - A stopper not in the end of a line.

Wardroom - Officer's recreation area.

Washboards - Boards used to close the companionway.

Waterline - The line where the water comes to on the hull of a boat. Design waterline is where the waterline was designed to be, load waterline is the waterline when the boat is loaded, and the painted waterline is where the waterline was painted. Actual waterline is where the waterline really is at any given time.

Waterline Length - The length of the boat at the waterline. 2

Watertight Bulkhead - A bulkhead that will not let water pass from one side of it to the other.

Watertight Compartment - A compartment having a watertight bulkhead at each end.

Well Deck - The two spaces on the main deck of an older type merchant ship, one between the forecastle and the midships housing which supports the bridge, and the other between this midships area and the poop deck. Most modern merchant vessels are now built with the bridge aft and an uninterrupted flush deck from the bridge to the bow of the ship.

Wetted Surface - The whole of the external surface of a vessel's hull that is in contact with the water in which she is floating.

Wheel - (1) Device used for steering a boat. (2) Slang for a ship's propeller.

Wheelhouse - The deckhouse of a vessel where the helm is located.

Whip, Whipping - To bind the strands of a line with a small cord. Winding twine or heavy thread around the end of a line to keep it from unraveling

Whisker Pole - A pole connected to the mast and the clew of the jib, to hold the jib out when going downwind

Widow-maker - A term for the bowsprit (many sailors lost their lives falling off the bowsprit while tending sails).

Wildcat - A special type of drum or sprocket on a windlass constructed to handle the anchor chain links. Also referred to as a chain gypsy.

Winch - A metal drum shaped device used to increase hauling power when raising or trimming sails, loading and discharging cargo, or for hauling in lines. A machine that has a drum on which to coil a rope, cable or chain for hauling, pulling or hoisting.

Winch Head - A drum (usually of small diameter and concave) on a winch. Designed for taking and holding the turns of a rope.

Windlass - A special form of winch used to hoist the anchors. It has two drums designed to grab the links of the anchor chains and is fitted with ratchet and braking device suitable for "paying out" chain. - A windlass revolves around a horizontal axis, as opposed to a capstan, which rotates around a vertical axis.

Wishbone - A boom composed of two separate curved pieces, one on either side of the sail. With this rig, sails are usually self tending and loose-footed.

X

Xebec - An old three-masted vessel used in the Mediterranean.

Y

Yacht - A sailboat or powerboat used for pleasure, not a working boat.

Yankee,/b> - (1) A fore-sail flying above and forward of the jib, usually seen on bowsprit vessels. (2) A foresail used on yachts similar to a genoa, but cut narrower, with its leech not overlapping the mainsail, and a higher clew.

Yard - A spar from which a square sail is hung. A long spar, tapered at the ends, attached at its middle to a mast and running athwartships at right angles to the mast; used to support the top of a square sail. The yard can pivot (be braced) around the mast. At rest (braced square) the yard runs athwartships. Each yard takes its name from the section of mast that supports it, and the sails take their names from the yards.

Yardarm - That part of yard that lies between the lift and the outboard end of the yard.

Yawl - A two masted sailboat with the shorter mizzen mast placed aft of the rudder post. A ketch is similar, but the mizzen mast is forward of the rudder post.

Yawl Boat - Smaller powered boat used to provide steerage-way when not under sail.

Yellow Jack - Slang name for the Q Flag. Also an old term for yellow fever.

Z

Zincs - Sacrificial anodes placed on a vessel to prevent electrolysis of vital metal parts.