Nautical Terms

There are many nautical terms we have listed a few that are commonly used among boaters. It is good practice to use the correct terms.

Example: Why Port and Starboard instead of Left and Right?

The operator yells back to you “cleat that line on the right side”. If you are facing aft (toward the stern) you may cleat it off on your right side which is actually the left or port side of the boat. If he had said “cleat it on the starboard side” (the right side when facing forward) there would be no confusion.

Abaft	Toward the stern
Abeam	To the side of the vessel
Astern	Toward the stern
Beam	Width of the boat at the widest point.
Bearing	Direction of an object from the observer.
Berth	1. Bed on board a boat.
	2. A position where the vessel is made fast to a dock.
Bilge	Lowest portion of a vessel inside the hull.
Bollard	Large strong fitting on dock usually iron used to fasten mooring lines.
Bow	Forward section of the boat.
Breakwater	Structure built usually of rocks to create a protective barrier wall from heavy seas.
Bulkhead	A vertical wall in the hull.
Burgee	Small flag to indicate the identity of a club or organization
Cast off	Remove all lines from a vessel in preparation of departure
Channel	Navigable portion of a waterway usually marked with buoys.
Chart	Detailed map of the waterway including land and buoys
Chine	The intersection of where the topsides and the bottom of the hull.
Chock	U shaped fitting on the deck to position a mooring line.
Cleat	Fitting to which mooring lines are tied.
Course	Direction vessel is to be steered.
Deadrise	The angle formed by a horizontal line at the keel and the angle of the bottom of the boat as it rises upward from horizontal.
Deviation	Compass error from pointing to magnetic north.
Dolphin	Small group of piles sticking out of the water fastened together for strength.
Draft	The vertical distance from the water line to the lowest part of the boat.
Ease	Let out line slowly while in control of it.
Ebb	Out going (toward the sea) flow of tidal current.
Fathom	Linear measurement of 6 feet.
Forward	Toward the front or bow of the vessel.
Freeboard	The vertical distance between the waterline and the top of the deck
Galley	kitchen on the vessel.
Ground Swells	Waves that become shorter and steeper as the approach shore or shallow water.
Ground Tackle	Rode (chain and/or line) ,anchor, and shackles (Anchor and gear).
Gunwale	Pronounced Gun-el. The upper edge of the side of the boat.
Head	The toilet on board the vessel.
Helm	Steering gear i.e wheel or tiller.
Hull
Keel	Main structural member beneth the hull to provide steering stability and reduce leeway.
Knot	1. General term for a hitch or bend in a line.
	2. One nautical mile per hour.
Leeway	Sideways drift of a boat caused by wind or current.
Length Overall	(LOA) Length from the tip of the bow to the end of the stern not including anything bolted to the hull.
Line	Rope used on board a vessel.
MAYDAY	Radio distress call.
Midships	Near center of the vessel.
Moored	Anchored or tired to a dock or pier.
Mooring	A permanent anchor usually marked by a round mooring buoy.
PFD	Life preserver (Personal Floatation Devise)
Pile	Pole usually wood driven into the bottom to be used to support a dock or aid to navigation.
Pitch	1. Rise and fall of the bow as the vessel moves through the water.
	2. The theoretical distance a propeller will advance forward in one revolution.
Port	Left Side of the boat facing forward. (PORT and LEFT both have 4 Letters)
Pulpit	Forward railing structure at the bow.
Quay	A wharf or pier parallel to the water’s edge for loading and unloading cargo.
Radar	Electronic system to determine the position of objects at night and in reduced visibility.
Rode	Line and chain connected to the anchor.
Roll	Alternating motion of a boat leaning alternately from port to starboard.
Saloon	Pronounced Sal-on The main cabin of the vessel.
Scope	The ratio of length of anchor rode in use to the vertical distance from the bow of the vessel to the bottom of the water.
Screw	Propeller
Scupper	Drain holes in the deck.
Sea Anchor	Parachute shaped devise used in deep open water to keep a vessels bow into the wind and waves and reduce drift.
Shipshape	Vessel kept well organized and in good working order.
Starboard	Right side of the boat facing forward.
Stateroom	Sleeping Quarters for guest or captain.
Stem	The forward member of the hull
Stern	Aft section of the boat.
Stow	Put in proper place.
Stuffing Box	A through hull fitting for the propeller shaft or rudder post.
Superstructure	Cabins and other structures above deck.
Swell	Long large wave.
Tides	The vertical rise and fall of water caused by gravitational forces of the sun and moon.
Topsides	The sides of the vessel above the water line.
Transom	The transverse part of the stern.
Transom	Vertical section at the stern.
Variation	difference between true geographic north and magnetic north.
Vessel	Any craft used for transportation on the water.
VHF radio	Very High Frequency radio used for communication.
Wake	Waves created by the passing of another vessel.
Wharf	A structure parallel to the shore for docking.
Windage	Wind resistance.
Windlass	A rotating drum for hauling in line (like anchor line).
Windward	The direction from which the wind is blowing.
Yaw	To swing or steer off course.

	Reference Chapman Piloting