Yachting Glossary - G

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gaff	A spar that holds the top of a four sided gaff sail. A hooked pole for getting fish on board.
gaff rigged	A type of traditional working boat using four sided gaff sails that are hoisted on gaffs.
gaff sail	A four sided sail used instead of a triangular main sail. Used on gaff rigged boats.
gaff topsail	A triangular sail set over a gaff.
gale	A storm with a wind speed between 34 to 40 knots.
gale force winds	Wind speeds strong enough to qualify the storm as a gale.
galley	The kitchen area on a boat.
gallows frame	A frame used to support the boom.
gangway	The area of a ship's side where people board and disembark.
garboard	The lowest part of a hull next to the keel. The planks each side of the keel are the 'garboard strakes'.
gasket	Ties used to tie up the sails when they are furled.
gear	All equipment used for sailing except the boat itself; rather a commercial than a nautical term; read our gear checklist
gel coat	The gel coat is the terminology used for the pigmented outside coat of a GRP boat (fiberglass)
gennaker	A large sail that is a cross between a spinnaker and a genoa. Hoisted without a pole, the tack is attached at the bottom of the headstay.
genoa	A large jib that overlaps the mast. Also known as a jenny.
geographic north	The direction toward the top point of the line about which the earth rotates (between Canada and Russia in the Arctic Ocean.) See also magnetic north.
geographic position	The position of a boat on a chart.
gimbals	Hinges for objects such as lamps, compasses and stoves so that they can remain upright as the boat rolls.
give-way	To yield the right of way to another boat.
give way together	Command used by Coxswain in larger rowing boats
give way vessel	The vessel that must yield to another vessel according to the navigation rules. Also known as the burdened vessel.
global positioning system	GPS for short. A system of satellites that allows one's position to be calculated with great accuracy by the use of an electronic receiver.
globe	A map of the earth drawn on a sphere so that both its distances and angles are accurate.
gloves	Sailing gloves protect hands of competitive sailors and allow the fast handling of wires and lines
GMDSS	Global Maritime Distress and Safety System
GMT	Time measured in Greenwich Mean Time. Coordinated universal time is a newer standard. A time standard that is not affected by time zones or seasons.
go about	Change tack to bring wind to the other side.
going to weather	to sail against the prevailing wind and seas
gollywobbler	A full, quadrilateral sail used in light air on schooners. It is flown high, between the fore and main mast, and is also known as a fisherman's staysail.
gooseneck	Universal joint fitting that links the end of the boom to the mast.
goosewinging	Sailing downwind with a mainsail set on one side and the foresail on the other
grab rails	Hand-hold fittings mounted on cabin tops and sides for personal safety when moving around the boat.
granny knot	A bad knot that was probably tied in error, will not necessarily hold fast, and may be difficult to untie.
great circle	Any circle drawn around the earth such that the center of the circle is at the center of the earth. The shortest distance between any two points on the earth lies along a great circle.
great circle route	A course that is the shortest distance between two points, following a great circle. Great circle routes usually do not look like the shortest route when drawn on a flat map due to deviations caused by trying to draw a flat map of a round object such as the earth.
green buoy	A can buoy. A cylindrical buoy painted green and having an odd number used in the United States as a navigational aid. At night they may have a green light. Green buoys should be kept on the left side when returning from a larger body of water to a smaller one. Nun buoys mark the other side of the channel. Also see green and red daymarks.
green daymark	A navigational aid used in the United States and Canada to mark a channel. Green triangular daymarks should be kept on the left when returning from a larger to smaller body of water. Red daymarks mark the other side of the channel. Also see can and nun buoys.
green water	A solid mass of water coming aboard instead of just spray.
grommet	A ring or eyelet normally used to attach a line, such as on a sail.
ground swells	Swells that become shorter and steeper as they approach the shore due to shallow water.
ground tackle	The anchor and its rode or chain and any other gear used to make the boat fast.
GRP	Glass-reinforced plastic, the most common material in boat manufacturing these days
gudgeon	The hole in which the pin from a stern mounted rudder fits. The pin is known as a pintle.
gunkholing	Cruising in shallow water and spending the nights in coves.
gunnel, gunwale	Pronounced gunnel. The rail around the edge of a boat. Smaller versions are called toe rails.
gunter rig	Similar to a gaff rig, except that the spar forming the "gaff" is hoisted to an almost vertical position, extending well above the mast.
guy	Also called a brace. A line used to control the movement of the object at the other end, such as a spar.
gybe	To change tack, sailing downwind (also Jibe)
gypsy	A windlass or capstan drum.
gyres	A large circular ocean current.

Yachting Glossary - G

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