Nautical Glossary - OP

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

offing

To seaward, a safe distance from shore

off the wind

Toward leeward

oilskins

A term generally used for all waterproof clothing

on the quarter

A bearing midway between abeam and astern

open hawse

Riding on two anchors without swivel or crossing each other

outhaul

A line used to haul the clew of the sail out to the end of the boom

out of trim

A boat that is improperly ballasted

overcorrecting

Swinging the wheel or tiller farther than necessary to bring the boat back on course

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overfall

Seas breaking due to currents over a shallow area

overhaul

To gain on another boat

overlap

The position of two boats when one overtaking is within two overall lengths of the other boat

overstand

To sail beyond an object or a layline

painter

A bow line to which a smaller boat is towed or made fast to a mooring

palm or sewing palm

Leather fitting over a sailmaker's hand to aid in thrusting a needle through sailcloth

parachute

Another name for a balloon spinnaker

parallel rules

A pair of straight edges fastened together so that the distance between them may be changed while their edges remain parallel. Used for transferring lines from one part of a chart to another

parallels

Lines of latitude going around the earth's surface parallel to the equator

parcel

To cover a line by winding it with strips of canvas in order to protect the line at the point of wear

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parrel

A line for confining a spar to a mast

partners

Strengthening boards to help support something set through an opening in the deck, such as the mast or bitt

pass

To make securing turns with lashing or rope

passage

Sailing from one port or place to another

pay out

To let out a line

peak

The highest point on a gaff-rigged sail

peak halyard

Rope which hoists a gaff-rigged sail

pennant

A triangular flag

pier

A structure that projects out from the shoreline, to which boats are secured; Compare to dock and wharf

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pilot

1. A qualified person who is licensed to direct ships in and out of the harbor; 2. To direct ships in and out of a harbor

pin

1. An axis on which a sheave turns; 2. Wood or metal used to belay ropes

pinch

To pull a sail too tight or head the bow of a boat into the wind too much so that the sail begins to luff and boat speed is lost

pintle

Metal braces or hooks upon which a stern-mounted rudder swings

pipe up

When the wind increases in velocity

pitch

The vertical motion of a boat as its bow rises and falls; Compare to roll

pitchpole

When a boat is thrown bow first, end-over-end

plot

To apply calculation to a chart

point

1. One thirty-second of a circle; 2. To sail closer to the wind

pole mast

1. A one-piece mast; 2. The tallest mast on a ship

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poop or poop deck

A deck abaft the mizzen and above the afterdeck

pooped

Boarded from astern by a breaking wave

port

1. Left side of the boat when looking forward toward the bow; 2. A harbor or place where vessels enter and leave

port hole

A hole or window in the side of a boat

port tack

Sailing with the wind coming from the port side

prevailing wind

The usual wind direction for an area and season

preventer

A rope added for the purpose of supporting or restraining

privileged vessel

A boat that has the right of way

prow

The part of the bow which extends up and out from the waterline

pulpit rail

A wooden or metal guard, or framework, at the bow

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punt

A small, rectangular, flat-bottomed boat or dinghy

purchase

1. Any rigging consisting of two or more blocks used to hoist a heavy weight; 2. The portion of a line of which the crew grabs a hold

put to sea

To leave port