Nautical Glossary - A

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

aback

The set of a boat's sails with the wind on the leeward instead of the windward side

abeam

A direction at right angles to the centerline of a boat

abaft

When one point on a boat is aft of the other, it is said to be abaft

about (coming about or going about)

Changing a boat's direction by passing the wind across the its bow first

above deck

On the deck of a boat; compare to aloft

abreast

When two vessels are side-by-side; along side

Admiralty law

The body of law pertaining to ships, navigation, and commerce on the seas

aft

The back part or to the rear of a boat; stern

after sails

Sails bent to masts abaft the foremast

aground

When the hull or keel of a boat touches the bottom

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aids to navigation

A charted mark, such as a buoy, beacon, or light, used to assist navigators

alee

The side of the boat or object away from the direction of the wind

all aback

When all the sails are aback

all fast

Indication that rope is secure

all hands

The entire crew

all in the wind

When the bow of the boat is pointing into the wind too much, causing the sails to shake

all standing

1. To be fully equipped and in use 2. A sailboat running before the wind with all sails set

aloft

Above the deck; up in the rigging or up the mast

along side

When two vessels are side-by-side; abreast

alow

Below deck

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amidships

In or near the middle of a boat, either along the longitudinal axis or from side to side

anchor

1. A device so shaped as to grip the sea bottom; 2. Secured to line from a craft to hold her to a desired position

anchorage

A sheltered place or area where boats can anchor or moor without interfering with harbor traffic

anchor bed

A securely made fitting on each side of the forecastle, used for storing stocked anchors

anchor bell

A bell rung according to the Rules of the Road when a boat is at anchor during a fog

anchor bend

A knot used to bend a line to a ring, also called an fisherman's bend

anchor lights

Lights displayed according to the Rules of the Road when a boat is at anchor

anemometer

An instrument used to measure the velocity of the wind

apparent wind

The direction from which the wind appears to blow when aboard a boat in motion

aspect ratio

The length of the luff of a sail compared to the length of its foot

astern

In the direction of, or behind, the stern

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athwartships

1. At right angles to the fore-and-aft line of a vessel; 2. Across the vessel

atrip

An anchor is atrip when it is raised above the bottom. A sail is atrip when it is ready for trimming

auxiliary

1. A supplementary power plant or engine used as secondary propulsion of a sailboat; 2. A small motor used to drive pumps or generators

avast

Hold fast, as in "avast heaving"

awash

Immersed in water that passes over the side of a boat when it is heeling

aweather

1. To windward; 2. Toward the weather side

aweigh

When the anchor has broken out of the bottom and has lifted clear

aye

Yes; an affirmative reply

azimuth

Angular distance of an object from a fixed point measured on a horizon circle, in a clockwise direction