Nautical Glossary - MN

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

made fast

When a boat is secured to a dock; 2. to fasten or secure a line, spar, piece of rigging, or boat to another object

mainsail (main)

(mains'l) The largest regular sail on a boat, which is attached to the mast, and often referred to as the main

mainsheet

The line for controlling the main boom

main topsail

A triangular sail set above a gaff-headed mainsail, with its peak hoisted to the topmast truck, clew hauled out to the gaff, and the luff set up by means of a tack downwind

main truck

The top of the mainmast, specifically, a circular wood piece containing sheaves for hoisting flag halyards

make fast

To secure a line

make sail

To set sail

making the colors

The ceremony for lowering the national flag at sunset. Raising the flag is called colors

[Top of Page] [Bottom of Page]

man the boat

An order to climb into a rowboat or life boat

marconi rig

A rig that employs tall triangular jib-headed sails as opposed to a gaff rig

mark

1. Any kind of distinguishable buoy placed in position to mark anything, such as a race course; 2. Markings on a lead line that show depths visually or by feeling

marl

To wind or twist a small line or rope around another

marline

1. A tarred, small line used for lashings and whippings

marlinespike

A pointed wooden or steel tool used to open strands of rope and wire, or to loosen knots.

martingale

A short perpendicular spar extending from a bowsprit and used for counteracting the pull of headstays

mast

A vertical spar that supports the sails, boom, and other rigging

mast box

A box or cup into which the mast fits in any boat where a mast is stepped on deck

[Top of Page] [Bottom of Page]

mast butt

The lower end of a mast

masthead

The top of the mast

mast step

A frame or slot used to secure the lower end of the mast

mate

One of the captain's assistants

Mayday!

The distress call used on marine radios

mean high water

The average level of high tide for any area

mean low water

The average level of low tide for any area

mend

1. To unfurl an improperly furled sail; 2. To rebend a sail to the boom

mile

See nautical mile

mizzen

The sail set on the aftermast of a yawl or ketch

[Top of Page] [Bottom of Page]

mizzen sail

A sail set from the mizzenmast

monkey block

A small single block that swivels

monkey's fist

The knot that encloses the weight at the end of a heaving line

monkey rail

A low rail around the stern

mooring

1. A place where a boat is permanently anchored; 2. An anchor or weight, permanently attached to the sea floor, with a buoy going to the surface, used to hold the boat in a certain area

nautical mile

On salt water, a nautical mile is a unit about 1/7th longer than the land or statute mile with which we are more familiar. The international nautical mile is slightly more than 6076 feet, whereas the statute mile used on shore and fresh water bodies is 5280 feet. Nautical miles are used to measure distance. The unit used to measure speed is the knot, which equals on nautical mile per hour.

neap tide

A tide with less than an average range that occurs at quarter moons

nun buoy

A conical red buoy with a pointed top and marked with an even number, found on the starboard side of a channel as you enter from seaward; See also can buoy