Comprehensive Nautical Dictionary: Explore Yachting and Maritime Terms

The words you will meet on a quote, a survey or a care-visit report, in plain English. Missing one? Tell us and we will add it.

A

• Abeam: Alongside the yacht at right angles to the centreline.
• Aft: Toward the back of the yacht.
• Aft Cabin: Sleeping quarters at the rear of the yacht.
• Aground: When a yacht is stuck on the bottom.
• Air Draught: The height of the yacht from the waterline to the highest point.
• Amphibious: Yachts capable of operating on land and water.
• Anchor: A heavy object used to hold the yacht in place by gripping the seabed.
• Anchorage: A place to anchor or moor a yacht.
• Anchor Light: A white light showing a yacht is at anchor.
• Aweigh: Raising the anchor from the seabed.

B

• Barometer: An instrument for measuring atmospheric pressure.
• Beam: The width of the yacht.
• Beaufort Scale: A scale for measuring wind strength.
• Belowdecks: Inside the yacht’s interior.
• Bilge: The lowest part of the yacht’s interior where water collects.
• Bilge Pump: A device for removing water from the bilge.
• Binnacle: The stand or housing for the yacht’s compass.
• Bitter End: The very end of a rope.
• Block: A pulley used in rigging.
• Boom: A horizontal spar that extends from the mast to hold the bottom edge of the sail.
• Boom Vang: A system for controlling the tension in the mainsail’s leech.
• Bow: The front part of the yacht.
• Bowsprit: A spar extending from the bow to support sails.
• Broadside: The side of the yacht.
• Buoy: A floating marker in the water.

C

• Cabin: An enclosed space on a yacht where people can sleep or relax.
• Capsize: When a yacht overturns in the water.
• Cast Off: To release a line or rope to set the yacht in motion.
• Catamaran: A multi-hulled yacht with two parallel hulls.
• Chart: A map used for maritime navigation.
• Chartplotter: An electronic display that shows the yacht’s position on a chart.
• Clew: The lower aft corner of a sail.
• Cockpit: The open area in the aft of the yacht where the steering and controls are located.
• Compass: A navigational instrument.
• Cove Stripe: A decorative stripe along the hull.
• Coxswain: The person in charge of a small boat or tender.
• Crew: Refers to the people operating and maintaining the yacht.
• Current: The movement of water in a particular direction.
• Cutless Bearing: A bearing supporting the propeller shaft.

D

• Daggerboard: A retractable centreboard for stability.
• Danforth Anchor: A type of anchor with flukes that can be set in different directions.
• Davit: A device for lifting and securing the yacht’s tender.
• Deadhead: A submerged log or object that poses a hazard.
• Dead Reckoning: Navigating based on a previously known position.
• Deck: The upper surface of the yacht.
• Deckhand: A crew member responsible for tasks on the deck.
• Depth Sounder: Equipment for measuring water depth.
• Dinghy: A small, often inflatable boat used as a tender.
• Dinghy Dock: A designated area for securing dinghies.
• Diesel Fuel: Common fuel for motor yachts.
• Displacement: The weight of water displaced by the yacht’s hull.
• Displacement Hull: A hull design that moves through the water rather than riding on top of it.
• Dock: A structure used for mooring yachts.
• Dock Lines: Lines used to secure a yacht to a dock.
• Dockmaster: The person in charge of a marina or dock.
• Dodger: A protective cover on the yacht’s cockpit.
• Doghouse: A small shelter on the deck.
• Downhaul Line: A line used to control the tension in the luff of a sail.
• Downwind: Sailing in the same direction as the wind.
• Draught: The depth of the yacht’s keel or hull below the waterline.
• Draught Marks: Marks on the hull indicating the waterline.
• Drogue: A device used to slow down a yacht in heavy weather.
• Dry Bilge: A bilge with no water or oil present.
• Dry Sailing: Storing a yacht out of the water when not in use.
• Duffle Bag: A sailor’s bag for personal belongings.

E

• Ebb Tide: The outgoing or falling tide.
• Echo Sounder: Equipment for measuring water depth using sonar.
• Emergency Flare: Pyrotechnic signals for distress.
• Ensign: The national flag of a yacht’s registered country.
• EPIRB (Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon): A distress beacon.
• Estuary: A semi-enclosed coastal body of water where freshwater meets seawater.
• Eutrophication: Excessive nutrient levels in water causing algae blooms.
• Eyebolt: A bolt with a looped head for attaching lines.

F

• Fairlead: A fitting used to guide lines in a desired direction.
• Fairway: A navigable waterway.
• Fathometer: A device measuring water depth.
• Fender: A cushioning device to protect the yacht’s hull when docking.
• Fishfinder: Equipment for detecting fish underwater.
• Flare: A pyrotechnic signal used for emergencies.
• Foredeck: The front part of the yacht’s upper deck.
• Foremast: A secondary mast on a yacht.
• Forepeak: A compartment in the forward part of the yacht.
• Foresail: A sail located at or near the front of the yacht.
• Freeboard: The distance from the waterline to the yacht’s deck.
• Fuel Pump: Equipment for transferring fuel to the engine.
• Fuel Tank: The container for storing fuel on motor yachts.
• Furl: To roll up or stow a sail.
• Furling: Rolling up or stowing a sail.

G

• Gaff Rig: A type of sail rig with a gaff and boom.
• Galley: The kitchen area on a yacht.
• Genoa: A large foresail that overlaps the mast.
• Gimbals: A mounting that allows an object to remain level, like a compass.
• GPS (Global Positioning System): Satellite-based navigation system.
• Ground Tackle: Equipment used for anchoring.
• Gudgeon: A bracket on the sternpost for attaching the rudder.
• Gunwale: The upper edge of the yacht’s side.
• Gybe: Changing the direction of the yacht by turning downwind.

H

• Halyard: A line used to hoist a sail.
• Hand Bearing Compass: A portable compass for taking bearings.
• Harbour Master: The person in charge of a harbour or port.
• Hard Chine: A sharp angle in the hull.
• Hatch: An opening in the deck for access or ventilation.
• Hawsepipe: A pipe or hole for passing anchor chains.
• Head: The toilet on a yacht.
• Headsail: A sail forward of the mainmast.
• Headstay: The stay supporting the mast from the bow.
• Heel: The angle at which the yacht tilts.
• Helm: The yacht’s steering mechanism or the act of steering.
• Hull: The body of the yacht.
• Hull Speed: The maximum speed a displacement hull can achieve.
• Hurricane Hole: A well-protected anchorage for stormy weather.

I

• Icicle Hitch: A knot used to secure a line under tension.
• Icing: Accumulation of ice on the yacht, often in cold conditions.
• Inboard: Closer to the centreline of the yacht.
• Inboard Engine: An engine mounted inside the hull.
• Inflatable Boat: A boat that can be inflated for use as a tender.
• Infrared Camera: Equipment used for night vision on yachts.
• Iridium Satellite Phone: A satellite phone for communication at sea.

J

• Jackline: A safety line used to prevent falling overboard.
• Jet Drive: Propulsion system using water jets.
• Jet Ski: A personal watercraft designed for water recreation and sports.
• Jib: A triangular foresail used for upwind sailing.
• Jibe: The American spelling of gybe.
• Jibe-Ho: A command to signal an intentional gybe.
• Jibing Preventer: A device to control the boom during an accidental gybe.
• Jibsheet: Line used to control the jib sail.
• Jibstay: The forestay that supports the jib sail.
• Jockey Wheel: The small wheel at the front of a boat trailer.
• Joggle: A slight bend or offset in a mast or spar.
• Jolly Roger: The classic pirate flag, sometimes flown for fun.
• Jury Rig: Temporary rigging used for emergency repairs.

K

• Kedge: A small anchor used for special situations.
• Keel: The bottom structure of the yacht for stability.
• Keelhaul: A historic punishment involving dragging a person under the yacht.
• Ketch: A type of sailing yacht with two masts.
• Kite Surfing: An extreme sport using a small board and a kite for propulsion.
• Knot: A unit of speed equal to one nautical mile per hour.
• Knotmeter: An instrument measuring the yacht’s speed through water.
• Knurling: A pattern or grip on hardware for better handling.

L

• Lazarette: A storage compartment in the stern of a motor yacht.
• Lee Helm: When the yacht tends to turn downwind.
• Leeward: The side sheltered from the wind.
• Lifelines: Lines or wires running around the deck for safety.
• Logbook: A record of a yacht’s voyage.
• Luff: The forward edge of a sail.
• Luffing: When a sail flaps in the wind.
• LWL (Load Waterline): The length of the yacht’s hull that touches the water.

M

• Mainmast: The primary mast of a yacht.
• Mainsail: The primary sail on a yacht.
• Mainsheet: The line used to control the mainsail.
• Marlinespike: A tool for splicing and knotwork.
• Marina: A haven for boats and yachts, providing shelter, amenities, and services for sailors and travellers alike.
• Mast: The vertical pole that supports the sails.
• Mizzenmast: The smaller mast on a ketch or yawl.
• Monohull: A yacht with a single hull.
• Multihull: A yacht with multiple hulls, such as a catamaran.
• Moor: To secure a yacht to a berth, quay or buoy.
• Mooring: Securing a yacht to a fixed point to keep it in place.
• Mooring Ball: A buoy to which a yacht can be attached.
• Motor Yacht: A yacht primarily powered by engines.
• Muster Station: A designated location for crew and passengers in emergencies.

N

• Navigational Chart: A map used for navigation at sea.
• Navigation Lights: Lights used to signal the yacht’s position and direction.
• Nautical Mile: A unit of measurement used at sea, equivalent to one minute of latitude.
• Navionics: Electronic charts and navigation software.
• Nose Dive: When the bow of the yacht plunges into the water.

O

• Outboard Motor: An engine mounted outside the hull.
• Outhaul: A line used to adjust the tension of the foot of the mainsail.
• Outrigger: A projecting frame to support the yacht’s rigging.
• Overboard: Anything that goes over the side of the yacht and into the water.

P

• PFD (Personal Flotation Device): A life jacket worn for safety.
• Pitch: The rotation of the yacht’s bow and stern around a horizontal axis.
• Port: The left side of the yacht when facing forward.
• Porthole: A small window on the side of the yacht.
• Port Tack: Sailing with the wind coming from the port side.
• Proa: A type of multihull yacht with two different-length hulls.

Q

• Quarterdeck: The part of the yacht’s deck near the stern.
• Quay: A stone or concrete platform along the shore for docking.

R

• Radar: Technology for detecting objects at a distance.
• Reef: Reducing sail area to handle strong winds.
• Reef Hook: A tool used to secure a reef point in the sail.
• Rigging: The system of ropes, wires, and hardware used to support and control the sails.
• Rudder: A device used for steering the yacht.

S

• Sailing: Involves using the wind to propel a yacht through the water.
• Scupper: A drain on the deck to carry away water.
• Spinnaker: A large, light sail used for downwind sailing.
• Starboard: The right side of the yacht when facing forward.
• Stateroom: A private cabin on a motor yacht.
• Staysail: A smaller sail set between the mast and the forestay.
• Stern: The back end of the yacht.

T

• Tacking: Changing the direction of the yacht through the wind.
• Tiller: A lever for steering a sailing yacht.
• Transom: The flat, vertical surface at the back of the yacht.
• Transverse: Across the width of the yacht.
• Trawler: A type of motor yacht designed for long-range cruising.
• Trim: Adjusting the sails and weight distribution for optimal performance.
• Thruster: A device for lateral movement in tight quarters.

U

• Ullage: The space between the top of a liquid (e.g., fuel or water) and the container’s rim.
• Underway: When a yacht is in motion.

V

• Vang: A line or hydraulic system used to control the mainsail’s leech.
• Varnish: A protective finish for wooden yacht parts.
• Vessel: A general term for any watercraft.

W

• Wake: The waves created by a moving yacht.
• Waterski: An activity often enjoyed by those aboard motor yachts.
• Waterspout: A tornado over water.
• Windward: The side of the yacht facing into the wind.
• Winch: A mechanical device for handling lines and ropes on yachts.

X

• X-Dimension: Measurement from the waterline to the yacht’s centre of gravity.
• Xebec: A historic Mediterranean sailing vessel.

Y

• Yacht: A recreational watercraft typically designed for sailing or motorised cruising.
• Yacht Club: A social organisation for yacht owners.

Z

• Zodiac: A brand of inflatable boats used as tenders.
• Zephyr: A gentle, mild wind.