Term |
Definition |
|---|---|
| backwind |
hold a sail so the wind pushes its backside |
| beam reach |
sailing at 90 degrees to the wind's direction. |
| beating |
zigzagging upwind, sailing closehauled and coming about |
| block |
nautical term for a pulley |
| boom |
horizontal pole that holds the bottom of the mainsail; named after the sound it makes when hitting your head. |
| boom vang |
line that keeps the boom at right angles to the mast |
| bow |
the front (pointy) end of the boat |
| bow painter |
line attached to the bow; used to tie the boat to the dock, etc |
| bowline |
pronounced bo' linn, super salty knot with loopy end--see knots section. |
| broach |
to round up uncontrollably from a run to a beam reach, heeling over. "If broaching sideway to the sea, our dropsied ship may founder by the lee" |
| broad reach |
sailing at 90 to 135 degrees to the wind direction. |