Genoa A headsail whose leech overlaps the mast and mainsail.


Halyard A rope used for hoisting a sail.


Heads The universal name for a sea toilet, so-called because in sailing ships with no plumbing, all hands went to the bow where a hole was cut in the deck to accommodate the necessary.


Headstay Another name for the forestay.


Heave to Setting the sails to work against one another to take off way and allow a boat to look after herself with no helmsman.


Heel The leaning of a boat when wind blows into her sails.


Helm The tiller or wheel. Also a non-gender-specific person steering.


Hounds The point on the mast where the lower shrouds are attached. ICC International Certificate of Competence. Kedge A secondary anchor of no specific type.


Keel-stepped A mast whose heel stands through the deck onto the keel rather than standing on deck, when it is deck-stepped.


Ketch A boat with two masts, the forward one (mainmast) is taller than the after (mizzen). The mizzen is stepped forward of the rudder post.


Kicker See ‘kicking strap’.


Kicking strap A tackle between the boom and the mast at deck level, serving to keep the boom down and supply leech tension to the mainsail.


Knot Speed measurement meaning one nautical mile per hour.


Lanyard A short, light line permanently attached to something.


MANUAL OF SEAMANSHIP | 159


Lee berth A berth onto which the wind is blowing. Lee shore A shore onto which the wind is blowing. Leech The trailing edge of a sail.


Log An instrument for measuring speed and distance run through the water.


Luff (n) The leading edge of a sail. (v) To alter course closer to, or directly into the wind.


Lying a’hull ‘Lying to’ with no canvas set. The boat is not steered.


Midships/amidships The central area of the boat.


Mizzen The after mast on any multi-masted vessel, except on a schooner with more than two masts or a square rigger with more than three.


Neap tides The lesser tide experienced bi-monthly when sun and moon are pulling against one another at half- moon.


Painter The line for securing the bow of a small boat such as a dinghy or liferaft.


Peak The aft upper corner of a gaff sail.


Pile A post driven into the seabed, usually either for securing vessels or as a navigation beacon. Pinch To sail too close to the wind.


Pitch-pole To be tumbled stern over bow by heavy following seas.


Pivot Point The point somewhere around the forward part of the keel around which a boat swivels when she steers.


Leadline A line with a lead weight for measuring depth of water – usually as backup for a malfunctioning echo sounder.


Glossary


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