Boating and sailing terminology
Saling Glossary: || A - C || D - F || G - I || J - L || M - O || P - R || S - U || V - X || Y, Z ||
JJACOBS LADDER: A rope ladder, lowered from the deck, as when pilots or passengers come aboard.
JAMMER: A device for jamming off the bight of a rope under load. Many can also be released under load, but some require the tension of the rope to be taken onto a winch before releasing the tension.
JET DRIVE: A drive depending on the forced discharge of water.
JETTY: A structure, usually masonry, projecting out from the shore; a jetty may protect a harbour entrance.
JIB: A fore sail used for sailing into the wind.
JIBE: Also gybe; to turn the boat downwind from one side of the wind to the other
K
KEDGE: 1) To use an anchor to move a boat by hauling on the anchor rode. 2) a spare or emergency anchor, usually stored in a cockpit locker.
KEEL: The heavy and permanently positioned, fore-and-aft backbone of a boat's hull which protrudes underwater to prevent the boat capsizing and stopping the sideways motion of a boat.
KETCH: A two-masted sailboat with the smaller after mast stepped ahead of the rudder post.
KICKER (also called a Vang): A device used to keep the boom from rising.
KNOT: 1) A measure of speed equal to one nautical mile (6076 feet) per hour. 2) A fastening made by interweaving rope to form a stopper, to enclose or bind an object, to form a loop or a noose, to tie a small rope to an object, or to tie the ends of two small ropes together.
L
L.O.A: Length Over All
LANYARD: A short line permanently attached to an object and used for securing it.
LATITUDE: An angular measurement north or south of the equator measured and expressed in degrees.
LAY LINE: The course on which your boat, sailing close on the wind, can just make a windward mark.
LAZARETTE - A storage space in a boat's stern area.
LEE - The side sheltered from the wind.
LEE SHORE: Shoreline downwind of a boat (to be avoided).
LEECH: The trailing edge of a sail.
LEEWARD: The direction away from the wind. Opposite of windward
LEEWAY: The sideways movement of the boat caused by either wind or current.
LIMBER HOLES: Drainage Holes through bulkheads or frames.
LINE: Rope and cordage used aboard a vessel.
LIST: Inclination of a boat due to excess weight on one side or the other.
LOG: A record of courses or operation. Also, a device to measure speed.
LONG KEEL: A boat is said to have a long keel when the keel is part of her hull construction running from well forward right aft to a rudder hung from it’s trailing edge.
LONGITUDE: The distance in degrees east or west of the meridian at Greenwich, London, England.
LUBBER'S LINE: A mark or permanent line on a compass indicating the direction forward parallel to the keel when properly installed.
LUFF: (noun) The leading edge of a sail. (verb) To steer closer to, or directly into the wind.
LUFFING: Pointing the boat into the wind - sail flapping.
Saling Glossary: || A - C || D - F || G - I || J - L || M - O || P - R || S - U || V - X || Y, Z ||