Schooner Vocabulary
Dictionary of Boating Terms

Dictionary of Boating Sailing, Schooners, Naval, Ships, Boat and Seafaring Terms

A	B	C	D	E	F
G	H	I	J	K	L
M	N	O	P	Q	R
S	T	U	V	W	X
Y	Z

A

Aback(backwind) - The sail filling on wrong side in the case of sq rigger may cause the ship to back up.
Abaft towards the stern.
Abeam  At right angles to the keel of the boat, but not on the boat.
Able bodied seamen - A member of the deck crew who is able to perform all the duties of an experienced seamen; certificated by examination; must have three years sea service. Also called Able Seamen and A.B.
ABS - American Bureau of Shipping: A U.S.-based private classification, or standards setting society for merchant ships and other marine systems.
Aboard -On or within the boat.
About - on the other tack
Above Deck -On the deck
Abrest - Along side or at right to
Abyss- That volume of ocean lying below 300 fathoms from surface.
Admeasure- Formal measurement of a boat for documentation.
Admiralty law The "law of the sea."
Adrift- Floating free with the currents and tide, not under control. A rope may be adrift  if comes out place.
Aft - At,near or towards the stern
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
.Against the Sun-Anti-clockwise circular motion. Left-handed ropes are coiled against the sun.
Aground -Touching or fast to the bottom. .
Aid to navigation- Any fixed object that a navigator may use to find his position, such as permanent land or sea markers, buoys, radiobeacons, and lighthouses.
Altar - Step in a dry dock
Aloft - up above the deck, up the mast or in the rigging
Alongside - Close beside a ship, wharf or jetty.
"Ahoy" - seaman's call to attract attention
America's Cup: The America’s Cup, dating from 1851, is the oldest trophy in is considered yacht racing’s Holy Grail.
Amas- The outboard hulls of a trimaran.
Amidships - In the middle of the ship
Anchor - A hook which digs in to the bottom to keep the ship from drifting  2) The act of using an anchor
Anchorage-A sheltered place or area where a boat can anchor.
Anchor Ball - A black ball visible in all direction display in the forward part of a vessel at anchor.
Anchor bend- A type of knot used to fasten an anchor to its line.
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.
Anchor Chocks- Deck fitting for storing anchor.
Anchor Detail- Crew at the bow to handle the ground tackle
Anchor Ice-Ice, of any form, that is aground in the sea.
Anchor Light - A white light visible in all direction display in the forward part of a vessel at anchor.
Anchor Locker-Storage space used for the anchor rode and anchor.
Anchor Watch - A member or members of the crew that keep watch and check the drift of ship
Anchor Pocket A recess in the bow for storinganchor
Anchor windlass- A windlass used to assist when raising the anchor
ANTI-TRIP CHINE- A flared out aft section of the side/bottom of the boat. The purpose is to prevent the hard chine of the boat catching a wake or small wave on a sharp turn.
Anemometer- A device that measures wind velocity.
Apeak: Said of anchor when cable is taut and vertical.
Apparent Wind-- the direction of the wind as is relative to the speed and direction of the boat
ASPECT RATIO - The relationship between the height of a sail and its breadth. i.e. A sail with a height of 30' and a breadth of 20' has an aspect ratio of 3:2 .A tall and narrow sail is said to have a high Aspect ratio.
Astern - behind the boat
Athwart: Across. Transversely.
Athwartships -At right angles to the centerline of the boat; rowboat seats are generally athwartships.
A-trip: Said of anchor immediately it is broken out of the ground.
Auger A carpenter's tool boat builders use for boring holes in wood.
Auxiliary - A second method of propelling a vessel. On a sailboat this could be a engine.
Avast! - The command to stop, or cease, in any operation.
Aweigh-  To raise an anchor off the bottom.
Awash - Water washing over.
Awning. - A covering of canvas spread over the decks of the ship, or over a boat, 'in hot weather, to protect the officers and crew from the heat of the sun. That part of the poop-deck which . is continued forward beyond the bulk-head of the cabin, is also called the awning.

ANCHOR		Schoonerman Page
		Anchor	A hook which digs in to the bottom to keep the ship from drifting
		Anchorage	A sheltered place or area where a boat can anchor.
		Anchor Ball	A black ball visible in all direction display in the forward part of a vessel at anchor.
		Anchor Watch	A member or members of the crew that keep wach and check the drift of ship.
		Anchor Light	A white light visible in all direction display in the forward part of a vessel at anchor.
		Cable	The rope or chain made fast to the anchor.
		C.Q.R	Plow type anchor
		Danforth	Light  efficient anchor
		Northill	Light  efficient anchor
		Rode	The anchor line and/or chain
		Yachtsman	Good heavy all purpose anchor
		Scope	the ratio of length of anchor rode in use to the vertical distance from the bow of the vessel to the bottom of the water. Usually four to eight for calm weather and more scope in storm conditions.

Anchors and gear

Book Description Bail out. The coast is clear. In deep water. These are just a few of the seafaring terms that have become part of our common language. But where do they come from, and what do they really mean? Peter Jeans provides all the answers in this book which was named a "Best Reference Source" by Library Journal. In his journey to uncover word origins, Jeans paints a vivid picture of hardy Nantucket whalers and Elizabethan sea dogs, grizzled Nova Scotia fishermen and the crews of great clipper ships. Along the way, he recounts the exploits of such seafaring greats as Sir Francis Drake, Captain Cook, and John Paul Jones.

05/08/2010