| Aboard/on board |
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Said about everything that is in and on the boat. |
| Anchor |
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A weight dropped to the bottom to keep the boat still. |
| Bitter end |
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The last part of a rope or chain. |
| Bring in |
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What you do when you help another boat whose engine has broken down or which is in distress. |
| Centreboard |
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Movable keel. |
| Chart |
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A map for use at sea that shows water depth, aids to navigation, etc. |
| Course |
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The direction the boat is going. |
| Dinghy |
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A small open boat, such as a rowboat, that can be hauled behind the vessel. |
| Distance |
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One nautical mile (also known as a “distance minute”) is 1,852 metres. |
| Fender |
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A rubber or plastic cushion hung on the boat to protect it. |
| Foresail |
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A foresail that reaches behind the mast is called a jib. |
| Freeboard |
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The side of the boat. |
| Hand |
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A crew member that helps out on board. |
| Haul down |
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To lower, e.g., sails or flags. |
| Keel |
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The bottom of the boat. |
| Knot |
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Speed at sea is measured in knots. One knot is one distance minute per hour. |
| Logbook/ ship’s log |
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The diary kept while on board. |
| Moor |
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To “attach” a boat to a dock or land. |
| Navigate |
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Finding the right course and determining where you are, using a chart and compass. |
| Port |
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The left side of the boat when you are facing the prow. |
| Position |
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The location of the boat at sea. |
| Railing |
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The edge between the side of the boat and the deck. |
| Rigging |
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A general term for the mast, shroud, stay, spreaders and all the parts needed to set sail. |
| Ropes |
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Group name for all the lines of all size used aboard the boat. |
| Running lights |
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Lights that must be lit when it is dark. |
| Sheer off |
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To turn away from another vessel or object in the water. |
| Starboard |
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The right side of the boat when you are facing the prow. |
| Tiller |
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The stick or crossbar used to turn the rudder. |
| VHF |
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Stands for Very High Frequency. VHF is the safest and most reliable aid to radio communication. |
| Wind speed |
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Usually measured in metres per second, m/s (second metres). Calculated from 0 (calm) to hurricane (over 33 m/s). |
| Wind’s eye |
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The direction from which the wind is blowing. |
| Windward |
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The side the wind is coming from. |