Boating and sailing terminology

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

P
PAINTER: The line which secures a dinghy or life raft from it’s bow.
PAY OUT: To ease out a line, or let it run in a controlled manner.
PENNANT (sometimes PENDANT): The line by which a boat is made fast to a mooring buoy.
PERSONAL FLOTATION DEVICE (PFD) – PDF: Official terminology for life jacket. When properly used, the PDF will support a person in the water.
PIER: A loading platform extending at an angle from the shore.
PILE: A wood, metal or concrete pole driven into the bottom. Craft may be made fast to a pile; it may be used to support a pier (see PILING) or a float.
PILING: Support, protection for wharves, piers etc.; constructed of piles (see PILE)
PILOTAGE: Navigation by use of visible references, the depth of the water, etc.
PINCH: To sail as close as possible towards the wind.
PISTON HANKS: Snap-on devices for attaching a sail to a stay.
PITCH: 1) The alternate rise and fall of the bow of a vessel proceeding through waves. 2) The theoretical distance advanced by a propeller in one revolution. 3) Tar and resin used for caulking between the planks of a wooden vessel.
PITCHPOLING: A small boat being thrown end-over-end in very rough seas.
PLANING: A boat is said to be planing when it is essentially moving over the top of the water rather than through the water.
PLANING HULL: A type of hull shaped to glide easily across the water at high speed.
PORT: The left hand side of the boat when you are looking forward.
PORT TACK: Wind across the port side.
POWER BOAT: A boat propelled by mechanical means.
PRIVELEGED VESSEL: A vessel which, according to the applicable Navigation Rule, has right-of-way (this term has been superseded by the term "stand-on vessel").
PROPELLER: A rotating device, with two or more blades, that acts as a screw in propelling a vessel.
PULPIT: The metal framework (usually stainless steel) around the bows which supports the guardrails and protects people working at the forestay.
Q
QUARTER: The side of a boat three-quarters of the way aft from the bow. An object sighted ‘over the quarter’ is around 45 degrees abaft of the beam.
QUARTERING SEA : Sea coming on a boat's quarter.
R
REACHING: Sailing with the sail eased.
RECIPROCAL: A course diametrically opposed to it’s predecessor, found by adding or subtracting 180 degrees thus, the reciprocal of 90 degrees is 270 degrees, while the reciprocal of 330 degrees becomes 150 degrees.
REEFING: Reducing the amount of sail area in strong winds
REEVE: To pass the end of a rope or line through a hole or aperture such as an eye, block or fairlead.
RIG: The arrangement of a boat's mast, sails and spars.
RIGGING: The general term for all the lines of a vessel.
RODE: The anchor line and/or chain.
ROLL: The alternating motion of a boat, leaning alternately to port and starboard; the motion of a boat about its fore-and-aft axis.
ROPE: In general, cordage as it is purchased at the store. When it comes aboard a vessel and is put to use it becomes line.
RUDDER: Underwater plate or board used for steering the boat.
RUN: To allow a line to feed freely.
RUNNING: Sailing before the wind with the sail out.
RUNNING LIGHTS: Lights required to be shown on boats underway between sundown and sunup.

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