A docking line going at approximately a right angle from the boat to the dock, preventing movement away from the dock.

The vertical absorption of a liquid into a porous material by capillary forces.

American Shipbrokers Association

(1) Term describing the status of seamen, corresponding to rank in the case of officers. (2) A method of measuring a yacht's expected performance relative to another yacht while racing. Over the years many formulas have been experimented with, in order to ...

An ornamental carved and painted figure on the stem of the vessel.

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.

Allows foreign merchandise arriving at one port to be transported in bond to another port, where a superseding entry is filed.

Order given to a boat's crew when going alongside under oars. Denotes that boat has sufficient way, and that oars are to be placed inside the boat.

A stationary, spirally shaped passage that converts velocity head to pressure.

Rope made of the fibers of the hemp plant and used for small stuff or less than 24 thread (1.75 inch circumference). (Rope is measured by circumference, wire by diameter.)

Sailing upwind so close to the wind that the forward edge of the sail is stalling or luffing, reducing the power generated by the sail and the angle of heel. Also known as pinching.

Method of payment for goods in which documents transferring title are given the buyer upon payment of cash to an intermediary acting for the seller, usually a commission house.

Is singular for media and is the material...paper, wire, cellulose or a combination... from which the filter element is made and which does the actual filtration or separation.

A rail around the mast or on the bulwarks with holes for belaying pins to which lines or halyards are attached.

Ties used to tie up the sails when they are furled to the boom or yards.

Letters, numbers, and other symbols placed on cargo packages to facilitate identification. Also known as marks.

An order to stop; as, "Avast heaving!"

Person given a passage in one of H.M. ships; usually on compassionate grounds.

One of the 4 cardinal compass points. North is the direction toward the North Pole and is at 0

A heavy colorless gas that does not support combustion but is formed by the combustion and decomposition of organic substances. Found in some ambient air conditions.