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