Cool Water Boats
Powerboats - Sailboats - Fishing Boats
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Nautical terms
Many people make use of at least a handful of of these terms or phrases in the course of everyday
conversation without comprehending the nautical nature of the expression.
Nautical terms B
Back a sail
To hold a sail in such a way, that the wind will fill it from the opposite to usual side. This maneuver is
used to slow down the boat (as if applying brakes), or to force a boat to tack when in irons.
Backing wind
A change in wind direction running counterclockwise, as in from west to southwest.
Backstay
A rigging wire used to keep the mast from moving forward, as well as to vary the amount of bend in the mast.
A permanent backstay goes to the transom. Running backstays go to each gunwhale.
Backwinded
If your sails are filled with the wind on the opposite side to what you want (for example, if they are
trimmed for the starboard tack, but you get the wind from the port side), you are said to be backwinded.
Bail
To get rid of water accumulated in the boat. Dinghies are often fitted with self bailers which, when opened,
drained water out of the boat.
Ballast
A very heavy material, such as lead or iron, placed in the keel of the boat, or in the bilge. It is used to
provide stability. In sailing dinghies the crew uses their weight as ballast.
Bare poles
In a very strong wind it is possible to be propelled by the force of the wind on only the mast and the boom.
To sail in such a way is called "bare poles".
Battens
Thin strips of wood or plastic inserted into batten pockets used to stiffen the leech (to preserve the shape
of the sail).
Beam
The widest part of a boat.
Bearing
The direction an object from teh viewer (based on the compass heading).
Bilge
Lower part of a hull.
Block
A device containing at least one sheave (pulley wheel) for altering the directiuon of a rope or to provide a
purchase.
Boom
A spar (a wooden or metal pole) attached to the mast at a right angle, used to support the foot of a sail.
Boltrope
A reinforcing rope along the luff or the foot of the sail, it is slid into a slot along the edge of a spar
(mast, boom).
Bow
The front end of a boat.
Bobstay
Brace from the end of a bowspirit to the lower point of the stern.
Bollard
Strong point for securing a rope. This may be ashore or on another vessel.
Bowsprit
A spar that's attached to the bow of a boat, along the centerline of the boat. The forestay can be attached
to it - thus allowing for a greater sail area.
Broad Reach
Sailing with the wind slightly aft of the beam.
Bulkhead
Upright partition across the boat.
Buoy
Any object floating as a marker and anchored to the bottom. It may be used as a naviagtional aid, a means of
mooring or as an indicator of a racing course.
Buoyancy
Force which enables anything to float. Many boats have built in buoyancy tanks in case of the hull being
holed or the boats capsizing.
Buoyancy Aid
Safety garment to keeps its wearer afloat but (in Britain) one without the qualities that permit it to be
called a lifejacket.
Burgee
Small flag often at the mast head which is often used to indicate wind direction.
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Tags: Nautical terms B boats power boats sail boats fishing boats
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