Alphabet used by the Navy when making sure that a letter is understood; i.e. "BRAVO OSCAR ALPHA TANGO spells BOAT"

The most common type of sail used today, a triangle-shaped mainsail defined by the mast and one horizontal boom perpendicular to the mast.

A pipe lead-in for anchor chain through ship's bow.

A vessel designed for the transport of people or goods from one place to another on a regular schedule.

A keel that is narrow and deeper than a full keel.

Also saloon; the main social cabin of a boat

Magnetic variation. The difference, east or west, between magnetic north and true north, measured as an angle. Magnetic variation varies in different geographic locations.

The U.S. government does not issue certificates of free sale. However, the Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, Maryland, will issue, upon request, a letter of comment to the U.S. manufacturers whose products are subject to the Federal Food, Drug ...

See Heave To

The stay that the jib is hoisted on. Usually the headstay.

A device that removes solid contaminants, such as dirt or metal particles, from a liquid or gas (air is a gas), or that separates one liquid from another, or a liquid from a gas. The term filter describes the complete unit ... housing, filter element, int ...

The sovereign power to take property for a necessary public use, with reasonable compensation.

A tube with a narrow throat (a constriction) that increases the velocity and lowers the pressure of the liquid passing through it, creating a partial vacuum immediately after the constriction in the tube. The vacuum created has a sucking effect, and a ven ...

The distance the bow of a boat is forward of another's stern

When the wind shifts toward the bow. Opposite of lifted.

A large foresail which extends aft behind the mast.

Pockets in a sail where battens can be placed to stiffen the sail.

Short for compressed natural gas or CNG. A type of compressed gas used as fuel for stoves and heaters. CNG is stored in metal cylinders prior to use. CNG is considered safer than other types of fuel such as propane LPG - because it is lighter than air and ...

Steering; keeping the ship on the course given (no lazy steering).