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A
abaft Behind, aft of.
abeam Off the boat at right angles to
centerline.
adrift Unattached to shore or bottom,
floating out of control.
advection fog Fog that forms when hot
air moves over cold water.
aft, after At, near, or toward the stern.
aground Touching or stuck on the
bottom.
ahead 1. The direction toward the bow
of a boat (relative to the position of the
observer). 2. In front of a boat. 3. Moving
in a forward direction. Compare astern.
aids to navigation Charted objects
available to assist in determination of
position or safe course or to warn of
danger (e.g., buoys, beacons, fog signals,
lights, radio beacons, range marks). Also,
any electronic device used for navigation.
all-around light a light showing an
unbroken light over an arc of the horizon
of 360 degrees.
amidships In or near the middle of the
boat.
anchor Device used to secure boat to
bottom of body of water.
anchorage Suitable or designated place
where boats anchor.
astern 1. The direction toward the
stern of the boat (relative to the position
of the observer). 2. In back of or behind
a boat. 3. Moving in reverse (backwards).
Compare ahead.
auto-circle control Some PWCs have
an auto-circle control that slows the
engine to idle speed and allows the craft
to circle slowly.
automatic information system
(AIS). An automatic tracking system
used for collision avoidance on vessels
and by the vessel tracking services.
B
backstay Part of standing rigging, usually
cable, that supports a mast from aft.
bail To remove water by scooping it
out with a bucket.
beacon Anything that serves as a signal
or indication for guidance or warning. A
fixed (non-floating) aid to navigation.
beam 1. Maximum width of a boat. 2.
A horizontal athwartship support for the
deck.
bearing 1. Horizontal direction of an
object from an observer, expressed as
an angle from a reference direction, e.g.,
compass bearing, true bearing, relative
bearing. 2. A device for supporting a
rotating shaft with minimum friction.
May take the form of a metal sleeve (a
bushing), a set of balls (a ball bearing),
or a set of pins around a shaft (a roller
or needle bearing).
berths 1. Bed. 2. A place for mooring
your boat in a harbor or port.
below Beneath the deck.
bend 1. To make fast a sail to a spar or
stay. 2. A knot to secure a line to another
line or object.
bilge Lowest part of a boat’s interior.
bitter end The inboard end of a line,
chain, or cable; the end made fast to the
vessel, as opposed to the working end,
which may be attached to an anchor,
cleat, or other vessel.
boater’s fatigue Exposure to noise,
vibrations, sun, glare, wind, and other
motion on the water produces boater’s
fatigue. Your reaction time is affected
almost as much as if you were legally
drunk.
boom A horizontal spar used to hold
the bottom of a sail.
bow Forward end of a boat.
bow line A line used at the bow of a
vessel.
bowline Knot used to form an eye or
loop in the end of a line. (Pronounced
“bo-lin”.)
braided rope Rope fibers are interwoven
in clockwise and counterclockwise
directions along the length of the line.
Braided rope generally has two parts,
a hard strong core and one or more
braided layers.
bridge clearance Vertical clearance
under a bridge at mean high water.
bridge communications Used for
relaying ship-to-ship navigation communication
between large commercial
vessels and do not normally involve recreational
boaters.
bridle A length of line or wire rope
with both ends secure (or a secured loop)
to the middle of which another line is
attached.
broach Turn a boat broadside to wind or
waves, subjecting it to possible capsizing.
buoy Anchored floating device used as
an aid to navigation. May carry a light,
horn, whistle, bell, gong, or combination
for identification. Also, may be used to
mark a mooring (i.e., anchor buoy).
buoyancy The upward force exerted by a
fluid on a body or object in that fluid. The
upward force that keeps a boat floating.
C
cabin The enclosed or decked-over living
space of a boat.
canoe A small paddle boat that usually
has symmetrical hulls with pointed bowlike
structures at each end; normally open
on top.
capsize To turn over, upset.
carrying handle Kayaks are normally
equipped with carrying handles at each
end to facilitate lifting.
carrying yoke A carrying yoke is a permanent
strut located amidships. It is used
in transporting the canoe in addition to
providing structural rigidity.
cast off To let go a line; to set loose,
unfasten; to undo all mooring lines in
preparation for departure.
catboat Sailboat with a mast stepped
near the bow, and no jib.
cathedral hull A variation of the trimaran
hull, this design is basically one hull
incorporating a large central section and
keel with a small keel on each side.
Glossary