GLOSSARY of terms
This show may have more than a few terms that are new to you — We hope this short glossary helps

  • BEAM The greatest width of the boat.

  • GALE A wind of 32-63 miles per hour.

  • GOING TO WINDWARD Going towards the part of the horizon from which the the wind blows.

  • HEAVING TO To stop.

  • JIB The foremost sail of a ship, set upon a boom which runs out from the bowsprit (large piece of timber which stands out from the bows of a ship).

  • REEFING Reducing a sail by taking in one or more of the reefs (from one row of eyelet-holes to another along a sail).

  • SPINNAKER A large triangular sail which may have a light boom.

  • TACKING To turn a ship about from one tack to another, by bringing her head to the wind.

  • TOPSAIL A sail or pair of sails set immediately above the lowermost sail of a mast.

  • WIND VANE A weather vane but also a system so self-steering.