YPI Yachting Glossary

Regardless of whether you are new to the pursuit or an old hand at the game, the world of yachting harbours a lexicon as bemusing and alienating as any industry any where in the world. So in the interests of promoting a better understanding of our world of yachting, it is with great pleasure that we now offer the first ever YPI Yachting Glossary - a world of yachting terms explained from A to Z.

And if you find we have missed any terms or expressions...please do get in touch and we will gladly add your entry.

Happy yachting (and better comprehension!) from all at YPI.

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aback	Behind of the Sails pressed against the mast when the wind is on the wrong, inefficient side. Deliberately sailing aback is useful in close quarters sailing, such as when leaving a jetty or mooring
abaft	Toward the rear (stern) of the boat, behind, or anything located aft of something else.
abaft the beam	behind a perpendicular line extending out from the middle of the boat
abeam	At a right angle to the length of the boat.
aboard	on or within the boat.
about	Across the wind in relation to the bow. When a sailboat tacks into the wind to bring it from one side to the other, she is said to go about.
above deck	On the deck of the boat, not aloft
abreast	Side by side, normally referring to ships or boats that are aligned like that.
accidental jibe	An accidental jibe happens when the boat is steered or the wind shifts such that the stern of the boat accidentally passes through the eye of the wind. This causes that main boom to swing violently to the other side of the boat. Without proper preparation when jibing, the force of the boom's motion can be destructive, injuring the crew and damaging equipment. In strong winds and on large boats this force can dismast the boat and seriously injure crew members hit by the boom. Sometimes a preventer is used to reduce the possibility of an accidental jibe.
aclinic line	The imaginary line where the compass needle does not dip due to the earth's magnetism
admeasure	Formal measurement of a boat for documentation.
admiralty anchor	An anchor which can be folded for easy stowage. The shank and arms do not move, but the stock moves up to the right angles to the arms.
admiralty law	The "law of the sea".
admiralty sweep	A large cautious turm made to approach a gangway or to come alongside a vessel or jetty in a boat
adrift	Floating free with the currents and tide, not under control, floating without any means of propulsion or mooring.
aerodynamic	Having a shape that that is not adversely affected by wind flowing past it.
aft	Toward the stern of the boat.
after bow spring line	A mooring line fixed to the bow of the boat and leading aft where it is attached to the dock. This prevents the boat from moving forward in its berth. Its opposite, the forward quarter spring line, is used to keep the boat from moving aft in its berth.
afterpart	The part of a boat aft of the beam.
age of the tide	The interval between full moon or change of the moon and the highest high tide
agonic line	The line around the earth where there is no magnetic deviation between magnetic north (as measured by a compass) and true north.
aground	When a boat is stranded on the shore, or on the bottom of the body of water, it is said to have run aground.
ahead	In a forward direction.
ahull,	Lying ahull- When all sails are lowered, usually in open water.
aid to navigation	Any fixed object that a navigator may use to find his position, such as permanent land or sea markers, buoys, radio beacons, and lighthouses.
akas	Lateral struts that attach outrigger hulls to a trimaran or proa.
aladdin cleat	a cleat that attaches to the backstay over the cockpit, usually used for hanging a lantern
alee	Away from the direction of the wind. Opposite of windward. To the leeward side (downwind).
all standing	To have all sails flying when running before the wind.
aloft	Above the boat, in its rigging.
altazimuth	An instrument for establishing the altitude and asimuth of the stars and planets
ama, amas	The outrigger hull(s) of a proa, or trimaran.
amidships	In the center of the boat.
amplitude	In navigation, the arc of the horizon between east and a body when it is rising, and west and a body when it is setting
anchor	A heavy metal object designed such that its weight and shape will help to hold a boat in its position when lowered to the sea bottom on a rode or chain. See kedge, lightweight, mushroom, and plow anchors. The act of using an anchor.
anchor bell	A bell required to be rung at certain times when at anchor during fog, according to the navigation rules.
anchor bend	A type of knot used to fasten an anchor to its line.
anchor cable	Chain or rope that connects the anchor with the vessel
anchor chain	A chain attached to the anchor. The chain acts partially as a weight to keep the anchor lying next to the ground so that it can dig in better. Chain is also not damaged as much as line when lying on rocks. The weight of the chain also helps to absorb changes in the boat's position due to waves.
anchor light	A white light, usually on the masthead, visible from all directions, used when anchored.
anchor locker	A locker used to store the anchor rode and anchor.
anchor rode	The line or chain attached to the anchor and secured to the boat.
anchor roller	Also called bow roller. A fitting with a small wheel that allows the anchor and chain to roll over when dropping or raising the anchor. Some anchor rollers also have a provision to store the anchor as well.
anchor warp	see anchor cable
anchor watch	A watch kept when the boat is at anchor in case the anchor starts to drag.
anchor windlass	A mechanism that is used in yachts to raise an anchor through the warp around a drum
anchorage	A place where a boat anchors, usually an established and marked area.
anemometer	An instrument that measures the velocity of the wind.
aneroid barometer	A mechanical barometer used to measure air pressure for warnings of changing weather.
angle of attack	The angle of a sail in relation to the direction of the wind.
angle of heel	The degree of list a vessel has when underway.
annual variation	The amount of by which variation changes up or down each year in a particular area. The annual increase or decrese is printed in the compass roses on each chart and may make a significant difference over a number of years
anticlone	An area where the barometric pressure is high, usally indicating light, variable winds and fine weather
anticyclone:	High-pressure area, a meteorology term
antifouling Paint:	Paint with toxic chemicals that is applied to the hull to reduce or prevent marine growth
antitrade	Wind that blows in the opposite direction from trade wind in an area where trade wind would normally be expected to occur
aport	To the port side of the boat.
apparent wind	The combination of the true wind and the wind caused by the boat's own speed. This is the wind felt on the boat, as well as the one shown by the telltales.
arc of visibility	The sectors marked on a chart and showing where a light is visible from the sea
ashore	To be on or to go to the shore.
aspect ratio	Concerns sails - the ratio of height to the length. A narrow but tall sail has a high aspect ratio, and a wide but shorter sail has a low aspect ratio.
astern	Toward the stern of a vessel, or behind the boat.
astrolabe	An old navigational device for checking the angle of stars in the skies
at the dip	A flag hoisted half way up a flagpole. Also see "close up".
athwart, athwartships	Lying along the ship's width, at right angles to the vessels centerline.
atmospheric pressure	Also called barometric pressure. The weight of the atmosphere, an average of 1013.2 millibars or 29.2 inches of mercury at sea level. Measuring the changes in atmospheric pressure can help predict weather.
autopilot	A device used to steer a boat automatically, usually electrical, hydraulic or mechanical in nature. A similar mechanism called self steering gear may also be used on a sailing vessel.
autopilot	A device - may be electronic or mechanical - used for keeping the boat on course without having to steer it. It uses a compass, and is attached to the boat's steering mechanism.
auxiliary	A second method of propelling a vessel. On a sailboat this could be a engine.
avast	A command to stop or cease what one is doing.
awash	Water washing over. A boat when almost submerged.
aweigh	The position of anchor as it is raised clear of the bottom.

YPI Yachting Glossary

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