Nautical Glossary - QR

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quarter

1. The after part of a boat's side; 2. That part of a craft which lies within 45 degrees from the stern

quarters

The living and sleeping areas of a vessel

quay

A wharf used to unload cargo

race

1. A very strong tidal current created with two tides of a different strength meet; 2. One of a series of competitive boat races in a regatta

rail

The outer edge of the deck

raise

To bring an object on the horizon into view

rake

The inclination sternward of a mast from vertical

range

When referring to tides, the range of a tide is the difference between the height of high water (high tide) and low water (low tide), which is not always the same as days go by. See also: spring tide, neap tide

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ratlines

Lines running fore and aft between the shrouds, used as a ladder in going aloft

reach

All points sailing between running (downwind) and closehauled (upwind). This includes: close reach, beam reach and broad reach

ready about!

Last warning from the helmsman when he is going to turn the boat onto another tack

reckoning

Calculating the boat's position; see dead reckoning

reef

1. To reduce the sail area by partly lowering the sail and securing the surplus material to the boom; 2. A ridge of rock or coral lying at, near, or beneath the surface of the water

reef band

A band of stout canvas with reef points in it and earings at both ends that is sewed across the sail

reef cringle

A metal eye in a sail for reefing

reef knot

Same as a square knot

reef point

1. The horizon location, usually one or two feet above the boom, where the reef band is sewn onto the mainsail; 2. A small rope running through the lower part of the sail and used for taking a reef

reef tackle

Tackle used to haul out the foot of the sail

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reeve

To pass a line through a block or fairlead

regatta

A series of boat races and festivities arranged by a yacht club or other sailing organization

rhumb line

A course that crosses all meridians at the same angle

ribs

See frame

ride

To lie at anchor

ride out

To weather out a storm safely whether at anchor or underway

rig

1. The arrangement of a boat's sails, masts, and rigging; 2. To put in proper order for working or use

rigging

A general term applying to all lines, shrouds, and stays necessary to spars and sails. Standing rigging refers to 

ropes and wires that brace the mast and certain other fixed spars (such as shrouds and stays). All lines used for hoisting and adjusting sails (halyards, sheets, outhauls, etc.) is called running rigging.

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ring lug

a connecting device that is crimped onto a wire end and then secured to a screw terminal

rip

Short, steep waves caused by the meeting of currents, as in rip current; Compare to chap, swell, surf

right of way

The legal authority for one boat to hold its direction while another gives way. In general, any boat on starboard tack has the right of way. Boats under sail always have right of way over boat under motor power.

ring

A ring at the upper end of an anchor to which a cable is bent

ringbolt

An eyebolt used for leading running rigging

rips

Short, steep waves indicating the meeting of two tidal currents or cross-currrents

roach

The outward curve of the leech of a sail

roband

A piece of line used to hold a sail to the end of a spar

rode

An anchor line

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roll

The sideways rotational motion of a boat in rough water; compare to pitch

roller reef

A reef in a sail made by rolling the bottom of the sail around the boom with a twisting device on the boom

rotten stop

A lightweight string or thread used to tie up a sail temporarily that can easily be broken with a tug, when breaking out the sail

round down

To haul tackle so that the lower block will come down

round in

To haul in rope

rounding

1. A length of rope hove around a spar or larger rope; 2. To go around a mark during a race, as in "rounding a mark"

rudder

A vertical, metal or wooden plate attached under the hull or at the stern, whose movements steer the boat; See tiller

run, running or running before the wind

1. Sailing downwind with the wind coming over the stern of the boat; sailing with the wind aft 2. Sailing in the direction away from the wind; 3. Sailing away from the wind source with the sails let out all the way.

running backstay

A temporary backstay set up to windward as a boat comes about and the leeward one is slacked off

running lights

Lights carried on a vessel underway and required by law

running rigging

See rigging

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