attached glossery of terms
NOT SO SERIOUS SAILING TERMS BY ANTHONY POZUN RN
AHOY- THE FIRST IN A SERIES OF FOUR-LETTER WORDS COMMONLY EXCHANGED BY SKIPPERS AS THEY APROACH ONE ANOTHER.
ANCHOR – ANY OF A NUMBER OF HEAVY, HOOK SHAPED DEVICES THAT ARE DROPPED OVER THE SIDE OF THE
BOAT ON THE END OF A
ROPE AND /OR CHAIN, AND WHICH ARE DESIGNED TO HOLD A VESSEL SECURELY IN PLACE UNTIL, A; THE
WIND EXCEEDS 2 MPH, B; THE OWNER AND CREW DEPART, OR C; 3 AM.
APPROVED ABBREVIATIONS - A METHOD OF CHART LABELING ADOPTED BY THE US COAST GUARD AS A MEANS OF PRODUCING COST SAVINGS BY ELIMINATING ALL VOWELS AND EVERY THIRD CONSONANT FROM DESCRIPTIVE TERMS.
BAR – LONG, LOW LYING NAVIGATIONAL HAZARD, USUALLY AWASH, FOUND AT RIVER MOUTHS, AND HARBOUR ENTRANCES, WHERE IT IS COMPOSED OF SAND, MUD, AND ASHORE, WHERE IT IS MADE OF MAHOGONY OR SOME OTHER DARK
WOOD. SAILORS CAN BE FOUND IN LARGE NUMBERS AROUND BOTH.
BAROMETER-METEOROLOGICAL INSTRUMENT WHICH SAILORS OFTEN USE TO CONFIRM THE ONSET OF BAD
WEATHER. ITS READINGS, TOGETHER WITH HEAVY RAIN, SEVERE ROLLING, HIGH WINDS, DARK SKIES, AND DEEP CLOUD COVER, INDICATE THE PRESCENCE OF A STORM.
BATTERY-ELECTROCHEMICAL
STORAGE DEVICE CAPABLE OF
LIGHTING AN INCANDESCENT LAMP OF A WATTAGE ABOUT EQUAL TO THAT OF A
REFRIGERATOR BULB FOR A PERIOD OF 15 MINUTES AFTER BEING CHARGED 12 HOURS.
BEARING- 1 THE DIRECTION YOUR -BOAT WAS HEADED IN WHEN YOU RAN AGROUND.2 THE MOVING PART IN THE PROPELLOR SHAFT HOUSING THAT BURNED OUT WHEN YOU TRIED TO FREE YOUR
BOAT BY REVING THE BOAT IN REVERSE. 3. THE SEAMANLIKE POSE YOU DISPLAYED AS THE ENTIRE CREW OF THE COAST GUARD
CUTTER THAT RESPONDED TO YOUR CALL WET THEIR PANTS LAUGHING AT YOU.
BILGE-THE NARROW-ENCLOSED SPACE AT THE VERY BOTTOMOF THE INSIDE OF THE
HULL WHERE THAT STRANGE GRINDING
NOISE AND THAT ODD BURNING SMELL ARE COMING FROM.
BOAT HAULER- AN ANNUAL PROCEDURE DUIRING WHICH A BOAT OWNERS COLLECTION OF
MARINE SPECIMANS IS REMOVED FROM HIS
HULL, USUALLY BY CONVICTS IN
WORK RELEASE PROGRAMS. ELECTRONIC GADGETS, BINOLCULARS, RADIOS, AND OTHER COSTLY BRIC A BRAC THAT HAVE GRADUALLY ENCRUSTEED
CABIN SPACE OVER THE YEARS, ARE REMOVED AS WELL, AND AT MOST BOAT YARDS, AS PART OF THEIR OPERATION, THE BOAT OWNER IS ALSO CLEANED OUT BY PROFESSIONALS.
BOOM-LATERALLY MOUNTED POLE TO WHICH A SAIL IS FASTENED, USED DURING JIBING TO SHIFT CREW MEMBERS INTO A FIXED HORIZONTAL POSITION.
BUOY-NAVIGATIONAL AID. THERE ARE SEVERAL TYPES AND COLORS, OF WHICH ARE: THE BLACK CAN, SEEN AS A FUZZY BLACK SPOT ON THE HORIZON; THE RED NUN, SEEN AS A BLACK FUZZY SPOT ON THE HORIZON; AND THE VERTICALLY STRIPED BLACK AND WHITE CHANNEL MARKER, SEEN AS A FUZZY BLACK SPOT ON THE HORIZON
BURDENED VESSEL-THE BOAT WHICH IN A
COLLISION SITUATION DID NOT HAVE THE RIGHT OF WAY AND WOULD BE WELL ADVISED TO EXERCISE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN SILENT.
CALM-SEA CONDITION CHARACTERIZED BY THE SIMULTANEOUS DISAPPEARANCE OF THE
WIND AND THE LAST COLD BEVERAGE.
CATAMARAN-A BOAT DESIGN INVOLVING THE USE OF TWO JOINED HULLS. ITS CHIEF FEATURES ARE THAT IT IS TWICE AS LIKELY TO HIT SOMETHING OR DEVELOP A HOLE OR LEAK, BUT IT WILL GENERALLY TAKE TWICE AS LONG TO SINK AFTER HAVING DONE SO.
CHANNEL-A NARROW STRETCH OF DEEP
WATER OR DREDGED WATERWAY BORDERED BY BUOYS OR MARKERS THAT SEPARATE TWO OR MORE GROUNDED BOATS.
CHART- 1. A LARGE PIECE OF PAPER THAT IS USEFUL IN PROTECTING
CABIN AND
COCKPIT SURFACES FROM
FOOD AND BEVERAGE STAINS. 2. A COMMON DECORATIVE MOTIF ON PLACE MATS. 3. A NAUTICAL MAP THAT ASSISTS THE BOATER IN DETERMINING WHETHER HE IS ON THE
WATER OR LAND.
COCKPIT- LOW ENCLOSED SPACE AT THE STERN WHERE THE BOAT IS STEERED AWAY FROM THE MINOR MISHAPS THAT ACCOMPANIED ITS DEPARTURE AND TOWARD THE UNEXPECTED IMPACT THAT WILL SIGNAL ITS ARRIVAL.
COMPASS-NAVIGATIONAL INSTRUMENT THAT RECORDS A VARIETY OF DIRECTIONAL ERRORS AND INDICATED THE PRESENCE OF MACHINERY AND MAGNETS ONBOARD SHIP BY SPINNING WILDLY.
CREW-HEAVY STATIONARY OBJECTS USED ON SHIPBOARD TO HOLD DOWN CORNERS OF
CHARTS,
ANCHOR CUSIONS, AND DAMPEN SUDDEN MOVEMENTS OF THE BOOM.
DAY SAILOR-OPEN SAILBOAT WITHOUT LIVING ACCOMODATIONS OR AMENITIES USDD BY SAILORS WHOSE IDEA OF FUN IS TO SEE HOW FAR THEY CAN GET FROM THE NEAREST
TOILET IN JUST A FEW HOURS.
DEAD RECKONING-TRADITIONAL FORM OF ROUGH ESTIMATE
NAVIGATION USED FOR HUNDRED OF YEARS BY SAILORS, ALMOST ALL OF WHOM ARE DEAD. AS IT IS PRACTICED TODAY, THE TECHNIQUE INVOLVES THE USE OF THREE SPECIAL CHART DARTS, WHICH ARE “ENTERED” IN THE APPROPRIATE REGION OF A NAUTICAL CHART FROM 8 FEET AWAY. THE RESULTING HOLES ARE THEN JOINED BY PENCIL LINES TO FORM A TRIANGLE WHOSE CENTRAL POINT MAYBE THE BOATS POSITION.
DINGHY-SMALL CRAFT TOWED FROM THE STERN, STOWED ON
DECK, OR STOLEN FROM MOORINGS WHEN BOATS ARE AWAY. IT SERVES THE PURPOSE OF LIFEBOAT, SHORE SHUTTLE, AND WASTEBASKET, AND BY FILLING UP WITH WATER AND SINKING, PROVIDES A CRUDE MEASUREMENT OF RECENT RAINFALL. FOR REASONS
LOST IN MARITIME TRADITION, DINGIES ARE BY CUSTOM EQUIPPED WITH TWO OARS BUT ONLY ONE FUNCTIONING OARLOCK.
DRAFT-THE VERTICAL DISTANCE FROM THE WATERLINE TO WHATEVER CRAP IS DOWN THERE THAT THE STUPID
KEEL IS STUCK IN.
DRY ROT- DEGENERATIVE CONDITION OF
WOOD THAT TRANSFORMS SHIP TIMBERS INTO A SUBSTANCE THAT HAS COMPRESSIVE AND TENSILE STRENGTHS ABOUT THAT OF COLESLAW. SINCE SALTWATER IS THE MOST COMMON CAUSE OF DRY
ROT, THE BEST PREVENTATIVE MEASURE IS TO KEEP VESELS WITH WOODEN CONSTRUCYION IN A COOL DRY PLACE-SUCH AS A GARAGE OR WAREHOUSE-ON A PERMANENT BASIS.
FIX- 1. THE ESTIMATED POSITION OF A BOAT. 2.THE TRUE POSITION OF THE BOAT AND ITS CREW ARE IN, MOST OF THE TIME.
FLASHLIGHT-A TUBULAR METAL CONTAINER USED ON SHIPBOARD FOR STORING DEAD
BATTERIES PRIOR TO THEIR DISPOSAL.
FURL-TO MAKE A FUTILE ATTEMPT TO GATHER, FOLD, AND TIE DOWN SEVERAL HUNDRED SQUARE FEET OF STIFF, WET DACRON SAILCLOTH TO A HORIZONTAL POLE IN A TIGHTER, TRIM, SHIPSHAPE BUNDLE THAT DOES NOT STRONGLY RESEMBLE A MUMMY STRAPPED TO A RAILING.
HATCH-AN OPENING IN A
DECK LEADING TO A CABIN BELOW, WITH A COVER DESIGNED TO LET WATER IN WHILE KEEPING FRESH AIR OUT.
HEELING- A BASIC PROCESS AFFECTING ALL SAILBOATS WHICH BEGINS WITH THE BOAT LEANING OVER AS THE WIND PRESSES ON ONE SIDE OF ITS
SAILS AND ENDS AS THE SAILBOAT FINALLY EXHIBITS ITS NATURAL TENDANCY TO COME TO A STATE OF REST AT THE SEA BOTTOM.
ICE CHEST-INSULATED
GALLEY COMPARTMENT IN WHICH FRESH PRODUCE IS QUICKLY TRANSFORMED INTO A DENSE, PEAT LIKE SUBSTANCE SURPRISINGLY SIMILAR TO SOFT COAL; FROZEN MEAT CORRODES; AND CONTAINERS OF
BEER ARE TRANSMUTED INTO CANS OF DIET SELTZER.
JIB-TRIANGULAR SAIL SET FORWARD OF THE
MAST, ONE OF THREE BASIC
SAILS IN A SIMPLE
SLOOP RIG. THE OTHER TWO ARE THE
MAINSAIL, WHICH IS ATTACHED TO THE MAINMAST, AND THE YARDSAIL OR HALF SAIL, WHICH IS TRAILED IN THE WATER OFF THE SIDE OF THE BOAT I N A BIG WET BUNDLE.
JIBE-COURSE CHANGE WHICH CAUSES THE BOOM TO SWEEP RAPIDLY ACROSS THE
COCKPIT; ALSO, FREQUENT TYPE OF COMMENT MADE BY OBSERVERS OF THIS MANUVER.
KEEL-HEAVILY WEIGHTED FINLIKE APPENDAGEON THE BOTTOM OF A SAILBOAT DESIGNED TO KEEP IT FROM TIPPING OVER UNTIL IT IS WELL OUT OF THE SIGHT OF LAND.
KETCH- 1 TWO MASTED SAILBOATWITH THE SMALLER AFT
MAST LOCATED AHEAD OF THE
RUDDER POST. 2 DISAGREEBLE CLAUSE IN BOAT
PURCHASE CONTRACT.
LATITUDE AND LONGITUDE- A SERIES OF IMAGINARY LINES ON THE EARTHS SURFACE, DRAWN AT INTERVALS PARALLELTO THE EQUATER(LATITUDE) OR THE POLES(LONGITUDE) AS AN AID TO
NAVIGATION. SINCE THEY ARE INVISIBLE, MANY MARINERS FINSD THEM OF LIMITED USEFULNESS.
LIFE PRESERVER-ANY PERSONNAL FLOTATION DEVICE THAT WILL KEEP AN INDIVIDUAL, WHO HAS FALLEN OFF A VESSEL, ABOVE THE WATER LONG ENOUGH TO BE RUN OVER BY IT, OR ANOTHER
RESCUE CRAFT.
MARINA-COMMERCIAL
DOCK FACILITY. AMONG THE FEW PLACES, UNDER ADMIRALTY LAW, WHERE CERTAIN FORMS OF
PIRACY ARE STILL PERMITTED. MOST
MARINAS HAVE UP TO DATE FACILITIES FOR THE DISPOSAL OF EXCESS AMOUNTS OF US CURRENCY THAT MAY HAVE ACCUMULATED ON BOARD SHIP CAUSING A FIRE HAZARD.
MARINE RADIO- PART OF A
GOVERNMENT STUDY OF TERRESTRIAL
RADIO EMMISSIONS TO DETERMINE IF INTELLIGANT LIFE EXISTS ON EARTH. NONE HAS SO FAR BEEN DETECTED.
MIZZEN- THE SHORTER AFT MAST ON A YAWL OR
KETCH. 2 ANY MAST THAT IS NO LONGER THERE.
MOORING- THE ACT OF BRINGING A BOAT TO A COMPLETE STOP IN A RELATIVELY PROTECTED COASTAL AREA IN SUCH A FASION THAT IT CAN BE SAILED AWAY IN LESS THAN ONE WEEKS TIME BY THE SAME NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO MOORED IT WITHOUT HEAVY
EQUIPMENT AND WITH NO MORE THAN $100 IN
REPAIRS.
PASSENGER- A FORM OF MOVEABLE INTERNAL BALLAST WHICH TENDS TO ACCUMULATE ON THE LEEWARD SIDE OF THE SAILBOAT ONCE UNDERWAY.
PIER- HARBOR LANDING PLACE THAT GOES CRACK OR CRUNCH WHEN HIT.
PILOTING-THE ART OF GETTING
LOST IN SIGHT OF LAND, AS OPPOSED THE DISTINCT AND FAR MORE COMPLEX SCIENCE OF NAVIGATION USED TO GET LOST IN
OFFSHORE WATERS.
PROPELLER- UNDERWATER
WINCH DESIGNED TO WIND UP, AT HIGH SPEEDS ANY LINES OR PAINTERS LEFT HANGING OVER THE STERN.
RADAR-EXTREMELY REALISTIC KIND OF ELECTRONIC
GAME OFTEN FOUND ON LARGER SAILBOATS. PLAYERS TRY TO AVOID COLLIDING WITH “BLIPS”, WHICH REPRESENT OTHER SAILBOATS, LARGE CARGO VESSELS, AND SUPERTANKERS.
RAFTING-NEIGHBORLY SAILING CUSTOM IN WHICH SEVERAL BOATS MOOR ALONGSIDE ONE ANOTHER AND EXCHANGE SPLINTERS, SAMPLES OF
HULL PAINT, AND PIECES OF BROKEN BRIGHTWORK.
RATLINES- ROPES USED AS A LADDER FOR SCALING THE
RIGGING. 2 ORDERLY ROWS OF WELL-BEHAVED RODENTS PREPARING TO DISEMBARK FROM A SINKING SHIP.
RIGHT OF WAY- A NAUTICAL
LEGAL PRINCIPLE THAT ESTABLISHES WHETHER OR NOT A PARTICULAR BOAT HAS THE RIGHT TO RAM, OR THE DUTY TO DODGE, IN ANY GIVEN MARINE ENCOUNTER.
SATELLITE NAVIGATION- SOPHISTICATED ELECTRONIC LOCATION METHOD THAT ENABLES SAILORS TO INSTANTLY DETERMINE THE EXACT LATITUDE AND LONGITUDE, WITHIN JUST A FEW FEET, ANYWHERE ON THE SURFACE OF THE EARTH, OF WHATEVER IT WAS THEY JUST RAN AGROUND ON.
SHOWER- DUE TO RESTRICTED SPACE, LIMITED WATER SUPPLIES, AND THE DIFFICULTY OF GENERATING HOT WATER, SHOWERS ON SHIPBOARD ARE QUITE DIFFERENT FROM THOSE TAKEN ASHORE. ALTHOUGH THERE IS NO SUBSTITUTE FOR DIRECT EXPERIENCE, A ROUGH IDEA OF A SHIPBOARD
SHOWER CAN BE OBTAINED BY STANDING NAKED FOR TWO MINUTES IN A CLOSET WITH A LARGE WET DOG.
TACK- TO SHIFT THE COURSE ODF A SAILBOAT FROM A DIRECTION FAR TO THE RIGHT, SAY OF THE DIRECTION IN WHICH ONE WISHES TO GO, TO A DIRECTION FAR TO THE LEFT OF IT.
YACHT- ANY RECREATIONAL CRAFT WHOSE OWNER OR USER IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR HER UPKEEP, OR WHOSE OWNER RECOGNIZES SUFFICIENT TAX BENEFITS FROM HIS OWNER SHIP TO DEFRAY ALL OPERATING EXPENSES. ALSO, COMMONLY USED TO DESCRIBE ANY BOAT PROR TO ITS
PURCHASE, AND BY MANY BOAT OWNERS TO DESCRIBE THEIR VESSEL TO PERSONS WHO HAVE NEVER SEEN IT AND ARE UNLIKELY TO EVER DO SO.
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