ABAFT - Toward the rear (stern) of the boat. Behind.

ABEAM - At a right angle to the length of the vessel.

ABOARD - On or within the boat.

ABOVE DECK - On the deck (not over it - see ALOFT)

ABREAST -Off the side, level with the vessel .

ADRIFT - Loose, not on moorings or towline,vessel without means of propulsion, not under control .

AFT - Toward the stern (rear) of the vessel, behind

AGROUND - When a vessel is in water too shallow for it to float in, i.e.: the vessel's bottom is resting on the sea bottom.

AHEAD - Go in a forward direction.

AIDS TO NAVIGATION - Artificial objects to supplement natural landmarks indicating safe and unsafe waters.

ALEE - Away from the direction of the wind. Opposite of windward.

ALOFT - Above the deck of the boat.

AMIDSHIPS - In or toward the center of the boat.

ANCHORAGE - A place suitable for anchoring in relation to the wind, seas and bottom.

ANCHOR LOCKER - Storage space for the anchor rode and anchor .

ANCHOR WINDLASS - Device used to assist when raising the anchor .

ASHORE - On the land

ASTERN - To reverse, to go in backward direction.

ATHWARTSHIPS - At right angles to the centerline of the boat; rowboat seats are generally athwart ships.

AWASH - Deck level with surface of water.

AWEIGH - To raise anchor.

BATTEN DOWN - Secure hatches and loose objects both within the hull and on deck.

BEAM - The greatest width of the boat.

BEARING-Direction of one point with respect to another

BELOW - Beneath the deck.

BERTH- Place for a person to sleep while on board a vessel/Docking place for vessel in harbour .

BILGE PUMP-Mechanical, electrical, or manually operated pump used to remove water from the bilge.

BIGHT- The part of the rope or line, between the end and the standing part, on which a knot is formed.

BILGE - Lowest part of vessel's interior where water collects.

BINNACLE-Housing containing compass.

BITE-When anchor penetrate bottom substrata and hold

BITTER END -The last part of a rope or chain.The inboard end of the anchor rode.

BOAT-A fairly indefinite term. A waterborne vehicle smaller than a ship.

BOAT HOOK - A short shaft with a fitting at one end shaped to facilitate use in putting a line over a piling, recovering an object dropped overboard, or in pushing or fending off.

BOLLARD-Post at bow for securing lines

BOOT TOP - A painted line that indicates the designed waterline.

BOW -The front part of the vessel.

BOW EYE -Ring fitting for securing line to bow of vessel.

BOW LINE - A docking line leading from the bow.

BOWLINE - A knot used to form a temporary loop in the end of a line.

BRIDGE - The location from which a vessel is steered and its speed controlled. "Control Station" is really a more appropriate term for small craft.

BRIDLE - A line or wire secured at both ends in order to distribute a strain between two points.

BRIGHTWORK- Varnished woodwork and/or polished metal.

BROACH -Vessel broadside to crests of waves.

BULKHEAD- A vertical partition separating compartments.

BUOY - A floating device used as a navigational aid by marking channels, hazards and prohibited areas

BURDENED VESSEL - That vessel which, according to the applicable Navigation Rules, must give way to the privileged vessel. The term has been superseded by the term "give-way".

CABIN - A compartment for passengers or crew.

CAPSIZE - When vessel turns over.

CAST OFF - To let line go free.

CATAMARAN - A twin-hulled boat, with hulls side by side.

CHAFING GEAR - Tubing or cloth wrapping used to protect a line from chafing on a rough surface.

CHART - A map for use by navigators.

CHINE - Joint of freeboard and hull bottom.

CHOCK - A fitting through which anchor or mooring lines are led. Usually U-shaped to reduce chafe.

CLEAT - A fitting to which lines are made fast. The classic cleat to which lines are belayed is approximately anvil-shaped.

CLOVE HITCH - A knot for temporarily fastening a line to a spar or piling.

COAMING - A vertical piece around the edge of a cockpit, hatch, etc. to prevent water on deck from running below.

COCKPIT - An opening in the deck from which the boat is handled.

COIL - To lay a line down in circular turns.

COMPASS - Instrument using the earth's magneting field to point to the direction to the magnetic north pole.

COURSE - The direction in which a boat is steered.

CROWN - Bottom part of anchor.

CUDDY - A small shelter cabin in a boat.

CURRENT - The horizontal movement of water.

DANFORTH ANCHOR- Lightweight anchor with piveting flukes and no stock, hold on all types of bottoms.

DAVIT- Device that projects beyond the side of the vessel to raise objects from the water.

DEAD AHEAD - Position directly in front of the vessel.

DEAD ASTERN- Directly aft.

DEADRISE- Measurement of the angle between the bottom of the vessel and it's widest beam. A vessel with a 0` deadrise has a flat bottom, high numbers indicate deep V shaped hulls.

DECK- Horizontal topmost floor of the vessel.

DEPTH SOUNDER- Instrument that uses sound waves to measure the distance of the bottom.

DINGHY- A small open boat. A dinghy is often used as a tender for a larger craft.

DISPLACEMENT- The weight of water displaced by a floating vessel, thus, a boat's weight.

DISPLACEMENT HULL- A type of hull that only floats, even when in motion, as opposed tho a type of hull that allows a vessel to skim of plane accross the surface of the water.

DOCK -A protected water area in which vessels are moored.The term is often used to denote a pier or a wharf.

DOLPHIN- A group of piles driven close together and bound with wire cables into a single structure.

DRAFT- The depth of water required to float a vessel.

DRAGGING- When the anchor is not holding.

DROGUE- Device streamed astern to keep stern up to the waves in a following sea.

EBB- Reflux of tide.

EDDY- Water currents moving in circular patterns.

ELECTRONIC NAVIGATION- Use of echo sounders, radio, and various electronic satellite and land based position finders (GPS) to determine a boat's location.

EPIRB- Emergeny Position Indicating Radio Beacon-Emergency device that uses a radio signal to indicate a boat's position in distress.

FATHOM - Depth measurement equaling 6 feet (182 cm) in sounding.

FENDER - Guard hung over the side of a vessel to cushion contact with other objects.

FIGURE EIGHT KNOT - A knot in the form of a figure eight, placed in the end of a line to prevent the line from passing through a grommet or a block.

FLARE - The outward curve of a vessel's sides near the bow. A distress signal.

FLOOD - Inflow of tide.

FLOORBOARDS - The surface of the cockpit on which the crew stand.

FLUKE- Triangular plate on arm of an anchor.

FOLLOWING SEA- An overtaking sea that comes from astern.

FORE- Toward the bow of the vessel.

FOREDECK- Forward topside part of the vessel.

FORE-AND-AFT - In a line parallel to the keel.

FOREPEAK - A compartment in the bow of a small boat.

FORWARD - Toward the bow of the boat.

FOULED - Any piece of equipment that is jammed or entangled, or dirtied.

FREEBOARD -Distance between the gunwales and the waterline.

GALLEY - The kitchen area of a boat.

GALE - Wind with speeds between 34 and 40 knots.

GANGWAY -The area of a ship's side where people board and disembark.

GEAR - General term for boating equipment.

GIVE-WAY VESSEL - A term used to describe the vessel which must yield in meeting, crossing, or overtaking situations.

GPS - Global Positioning System. A system of satellites that allows one's position to be calculated with great accuracy by the use of an electronic GPS receiver.

GRAB RAILS - Hand-hold fittings mounted on cabin tops and sides for personal safety when moving around the boat.

GROUND TACKLE - A collective term for the anchor and its associated gear.

GUNWALE - Top end of hull sides.

HARBOUR - Safe anchorage protected from storms either naturally or by man-made barriers.

HARD CHINE - An abrupt intersection between the hull side and the hull bottom of a boat so constructed.

HATCH - An opening in a boat's deck fitted with a watertight cover.

HEAD- A marine toilet. Also the upper corner of a triangular sail.

HEADING - The direction in which a vessel's bow points at any given time.

HEADWAY - The forward motion of a boat. Opposite of sternway.

HELM - All machinery used to steer vessel.

HELMSPERSON - The person who steers the boat.

HITCH - A knot used to secure a rope to another object or to another rope, or to form a loop or a noose in a rope.

HOLD - A compartment below deck in a large vessel, used solely for carrying cargo.

HULL - The main structural body of the vessel, excluding deck, mast or superstructure.

HYDROFOIL - A vessel that has foils under it's hull onto which it rises to plane across the water surface at high speed in more comfort.

INBOARD - An engine that is fitted inside a vessel.

INLET- A bay or cove along a river, sea or lake coast line.

INTRACOASTAL WATERWAY - ICW: bays, rivers, and canals along the coasts (such as the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico coasts), connected so that vessels may travel without going into the sea.

JACOBS LADDER - A rope ladder, lowered from the deck, as when pilots or passengers come aboard.

JETTY - A man made structure projecting from the shore or a harbour.

KEEL - The centerline of a boat running fore and aft; the backbone of a vessel.

KNOT - A measure of speed equal to one nautical mile (6076 feet) per hour. 1 knot=1.852 km/h.

KNOT - A method of attaching a rope or line to itself, another line or a fitting.

LATITUDE - The distance north or south of the equator measured and expressed in degrees.

LAZARETTE - A storage space in a boat's stern area.

LEE - The side sheltered from the wind.

LEEWARD - The direction away from the wind. Opposite of windward.

LEEWAY - The sideways movement of the boat caused by either wind or current.

LINE - Nautical name for rope.

LIST - Inclination of vessel away from normal horizontal centre of gravity line.

LOG - A record of courses or operation. Also, a device to measure speed.

LONGITUDE - The distance in degrees east or west of the meridian at Greenwich, England.

LUBBER'S LINE - A mark or permanent line on a compass indicating the direction forward parallel to the keel when properly installed.

MAKING WATER - Vessel leaking.

MARLINSPIKE - A tool for opening the strands of a rope while splicing.

MAYDAY - Internationally spoken distress signal.

MIDSHIP - Approximately in the location equally distant from the bow and stern.

MOORING - An arrangement for securing a boat to a mooring buoy or a pier.

NAUTICAL MILE - One minute of latitude; approximately 6076 feet - about 1/8 longer than the statute mile of 5280 feet.

NAVIGATION - The art and science of conducting a boat safely from one point to another.

NAVIGATION RULES - The regulations governing the movement of vessels in relation to each other, generally called steering and sailing rules.

OUTBOARD - Toward or beyond the boat's sides. A detachable engine mounted on a boat's stern.

OVERBOARD - Over the side or out of the boat.

PAINTER - Length of line secured at bow, for towing or making fast

PIER - A loading platform extending at an angle from the shore.

PILE - A wood, metal or concrete pole driven into the bottom. Craft may be made fast to a pile; it may be used to support a pier (see PILING) or a float.

PILING - Support, protection for wharves, piers etc.; constructed of piles (see PILE)

PITCHING - Vertical motion when bow rises and falls

PILOTING - Navigation by use of visible references, the depth of the water, etc.

PLANE - A boat moving across water surface at speed with minimal water displacement by hull.

PLANING HULL - A type of hull shaped to glide easily across the water at high speed.

PORT - The left side of a boat looking forward. A harbor.

PRIVELEGED VESSEL - A vessel which, according to the applicable Navigation Rule, has right-of-way (this term has been superseded by the term "stand-on").

QUARTER - The sides of a boat aft of amidships.

QUARTERING SEA - Sea coming on a boat's quarter.

RODE - The anchor line and/or chain.

ROLL - Sidewise rotational motion of vessel.

ROPE - In general, cordage as it is purchased at the store. When it comes aboard a vessel and is put to use it becomes line.

RUDDER - A vertical plate or board for steering a boat.

RUN - To allow a line to feed freely.

RUNNING LIGHTS - Lights required to be shown on boats underway between sundown and sunup.

SATELLITE NAVIGATION - A form of position finding using radio transmissions from satellites with sophisticated on-board automatic equipment.

SCOPE - Technically, 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 six to seven to one for calm weather and more scope in storm conditions.

SCREW - A boat's propeller.

SCUPPERS - Opening to drain excess water on deck.

SEA COCK - A through hull valve, a shut off on a plumbing or drain pipe between the vessel's interior and the sea.

SEAMANSHIP - All the arts and skills of boat handling, ranging from maintenence and repairs to piloting, sail handling, marlinespike work, and rigging.

SEA ROOM - A safe distance from the shore or other hazards.

SEAWORTHY - A boat or a boat's gear able to meet the usual sea conditions.

SECURE - To make fast.

SET - Direction toward which the current is flowing.

SHACKLE- Metal coupling appliance.

SHANK - Shaft or anchor.

SHIP - A larger vessel usually thought of as being used for ocean travel. A vessel able to carry a "boat" on board.

SKEG - Metal extension on outboard motor's leg to protect propeller.

SLACK - Not fastened; loose. Also, to loosen.

SOLE - Cabin or saloon floor. Timber extensions on the bottom of the rudder. Also the molded fiberglass deck of a cockpit.

SOUNDING - A measurement of the depth of water.

SPRING LINE - A pivot line used in docking, undocking, or to prevent the boat from moving forward or astern while made fast to a dock.

SQUALL - A sudden, violent wind often accompanied by rain.

SQUARE KNOT - A knot used to join two lines of similar size. Also called a reef knot.

STANDING PART - That part of a line which is made fast.The main part of a line as distinguished from the bight and the end.

STAND-ON VESSEL - That vessel which has right-of-way during a meeting, crossing, or overtaking situation.

STARBOARD - The righthand side of a boat when looking forward.

STEM - The forward most part of the bow.

STERN - The after-end of boat.

STERN LINE - A docking line leading from the stern.

STOWING - Proper way to store gear on vessel.

STRAKE- Raised elevation on hull to improve handling and planing.

SWAMP - Vessel filled with water over sides.

TACKLE - Arrangements of ropes and blocks for obtaining purchase.

THIMBLE - Curved metal/nylon plate to prevent chafing of rope eyes at ends.

THWARTSHIPS - At right angles to the centerline of the boat.

TIDE - The periodic rise and fall of water level in the oceans.

TILLER - A bar or handle for turning a boat's rudder or an outboard motor.

TOPSIDES - The sides of a vessel between the waterline and the deck; sometimes referring to onto or above the deck.

TRANSOM - Flat area across stern.

TRIM - Arrangement of load mass, longitudinal balance.

UNDERWAY - Vessel in motion, moving under own power.

V BOTTOM - A hull with the bottom section in the shape of a "V".

VEER - To change direction while underway.

WAKE - Moving waves, water pattern astern of vessel underway.

WATERLINE - A line painted on a hull which shows the point to which a boat sinks when it is properly trimmed (see BOOT TOP).

WAY - Movement of a vessel through the water such as headway, sternway or leeway.

WEATHERSIDE - Side facing wind or sea.

WINDWARD - Toward the direction from which the wind is coming.

YACHT - A pleasure vessel, a pleasure boat; in American usage the idea of size and luxury is conveyed, either sail or power.

YAW - When vessel runs off course steered.