Any rope or line.

A set of radio, sound, and visual signals designed to aid in communications between vessels without language problems. It can be used with Morse Code, with signal pennants, and by spoken code letters.

A deck dryer composed of a flat piece of wood shod with rubber, and a handle. Stanchions

Wind coming from the south.

The anti-corrosive paint used on and above the waterline.

A large balloon shaped lightweight sail used when running or reaching. Spinnakers are made of cloth very similar to that used for parachutes, which is why you may also hear them called chutes, or kites.

See "Overland Common Points."

Abbreviation for "Bales."

A line drawn on a chart, as a result of a bearing, along which the boat is positioned

A non-profit entity that represents the interests of a number of shippers. The main focus of shippers associations is to pool the cargo volumes of members to leverage the most favorable service contract rate levels.

The mount and housing for the compass, usually located on the wheel's pedestal.

The opening between the jib and the mainsail. Wind passing through this opening increases the pressure difference across the sides of the mainsail, helping to move the boat forward.

A small round platform, smaller than a Crow's Nest, which was placed at the top of the mast to provide a greater range of vision from a ship at sea.

The ship's funnel or smokestack.

The quantity of heat required to raise the temperature of a unit weight of a substance by one degree.

A low vertical lip or raised section around the edge of a cockpit, hatch, etc. to prevent water on deck from running below.

In sailboat racing, to have a controlling position over competitors by staying between them and the next mark or buoy - a tactical maneuver in which the lead boat stays between the trailing boat and the wind or the next mark.

Same as two blocks.

Along or around a coast.

Large ships dating back to the 17th century typically with three masts carrying rectangular sails mounted on horizontal spars called yards. A sailing-ship rig with rectangular sails set approximately at right angles to the keel line from horizontal yards.