Boating and sailing terminology

Saling Glossary: || A - C || D - F || G - I || J - L || M - O || P - R || S - U || V - X || Y, Z ||

D
DANFORTH ANCHOR: A patented lightweight anchor characterized by long, narrow, twin flukes pivoted at one end of the relatively long shank.
DAYBEACON: A fixed navigation aid structure used in shallow waters upon which is placed one or more daymarks.
DAYMARK: A signboard attached to a daybeacon to convey navigational information presenting one of several standard shapes (square, triangle, rectangle) and colors (red, green, orange, yellow, or black). Daymarks usually have reflective material indicating the shape, but may also be lighted.
DEAD AHEAD: Directly ahead.
DEAD ASTERN: Directly aft.
DEAD RECKONING: A plot of courses steered and distances travelled through the water.
DEADHEAD: A log or heavy timber floating nearly vertical, with little of it's bulk showing above the surface.
DECK: A permanent covering over a compartment, hull or any part thereof.
DINGHY: A small open boat. A dinghy is often used as a tender for a larger craft.
DISPLACEMENT: The weight of water displaced by a floating vessel, thus, a boat's weight.
DISPLACEMENT HULL: A type of hull that plows through the water, displacing a weight of water equal to its own weight, even when more power is added.
DOCK: A protected water area in which vessels are moored. The term is often used to denote a pier or a wharf.
DOCKING: The procedure for coming alongside a wharf or jetty.
DODGER: Protective cover over the cockpit area of the Vessel.
DOLPHIN: A group of piles driven close together and bound with wire cables into a single structure.
DRAFT OR DRAUGHT: The measurement of how deeply a boat sits in the water.
DRY ROT: A fungus decay which causes wood to become soft and to fall apart.
DUCKBOARD: The wooden floorboards found on many yachts’ cockpit soles
E
EASE: To slacken or relieve tension on a line.
EBB TIDE: A receding tide or current.
ENSIGN: The national flag, or ‘colours’ displayed from aft by all yachts.
EVEN KEEL: When a boat is floating on its designed waterline, it is said to be floating on an even keel.
EYE OF THE WIND: The direction from which the wind is blowing.
EYE SPLICE: A permanent loop spliced in the end of a line.
F
FAIRLEAD: A device for leading a sheet or some other line at the correct angle – often on to a winch. Typically, a fairlead takes the form of a sheave in some sort of metal holder.
FAST: Said of an object that is secured to another.
FATHOM: nautical measurement equivalent to a depth of six feet or 1.8 metres.
FENDER: A cushion, placed between boats, or between a boat and a pier, to prevent damage.
FIDDLE: An upright guard an inch or two high along a galley edge or table edge, which prevents items from sliding off when the boat heels.
FIGURE EIGHT KNOT: A knot in the form of a figure eight, placed in the end of a line to prevent the line from passing through a jammer or a block.
FLAME ARRESTER: A safety device, such as a metal mesh protector, to prevent an exhaust backfire from causing an explosion; operates by absorbing heat.
FLARE: 1) The outward curve of a vessel's sides near the bow. 2) A distress signal.
FLOOD: An incoming current.
FLUKE: The palm of an anchor.
FLYING BRIDGE: An added set of controls above the level of the normal control station for better visibility. Usually open, but may have a collapsible top for shade.
FOLLOWING SEA: An overtaking sea that comes from astern.
FORE-AND-AFT: In a line parallel to the keel.
FOREPEAK: A compartment in the bow of a small boat.
FORWARD: Toward the bow of the boat.
FOULED: Any piece of equipment that is jammed or entangled, or dirtied.
FOUNDER: when a vessel fills with water and sinks.
FRAP: (verb) To use a small line to hold an external halyard away from the mast by tying it to the shrouds. This is done to stop noise and chafe.
FREEBOARD: The minimum vertical distance measured on a boat's side from the waterline to the upper edge of the boat.
FURLER: A self winding system for the head sail of a sailboat, which allows you to control the sail from the cockpit area.

Saling Glossary: || A - C || D - F || G - I || J - L || M - O || P - R || S - U || V - X || Y, Z ||