Naval
Dictionary
-
-
Back an anchor (v)
To reinforce the mooring by putting two anchors in sequence
Update Update
-
-
-
Back sail
Sail which pushes in an opposite direction to motion, used to brake or keep the boat stationary
Update Update
-
-
-
Back water
Marine waves in a harbour
Update Update
-
-
-
Backstay
Standing rigging whichs support the astern mast
Update Update
-
-
-
Bail
To clear water out of a boat
Update Update
-
-
-
Bail (v)
To empty the water entered aboard through a bailer
Update Update
-
-
-
Bailer
A bucket or dipper used for removing bilgewater from a boat.
Update Update
-
-
-
Ballast
Heavy weight which adjusts the draft of a ship and improve stability
Update Update
-
-
-
Ballast
Heavy weights installed deep in the hull to adjust the draft of a ship and improve stability
Update Update
-
-
-
Bandiera a riva
Flag on the upper part of masts
Update Update
-
-
-
Barbotin
Element of the winch with a particular shape which allows to recover chains
Update Update
-
-
-
Barnacles
Marine conic crostaceans which adhere to hulls, very difficult to remove.
Update Update
-
-
-
Barogram
Diagram of the atmosperic pressure trend written by the pen of a barograph on a paper wrapped by a cylinder
Update Update
-
-
-
Barograph
Instrument used to measure atmosperic pressure. Similar to barometer but providing an immediate measurement
Update Update
-
-
-
Barycentre
Centre of gravity
Update Update
-
-
-
Base
The lowest side of a sail, between clat and clew point
Update Update
-
-
-
Basin
A pool on sea level, where bottom can be repaired
Update Update
-
-
-
Basin, dock
Equipped and sheltered area where ships can stop
aUpdate Update
-
-
-
Bathymetric
On naval maps, it is the line which joins points of equal depth
Update Update
-
-
-
Bathyscope
A funnel with transparent bottom used to observe sea bottom
Update Update
-
-
-
Batten
Rigid profile inserted into sail leech to contribute to their shape
Update Update
-
-
-
Batten pocket
Batten compartment
Update Update
-
-
-
Beacon
Small buoy
Update Update
-
-
-
Beam
Structural elements which support the deck. The width of a ship at her widest part
Update Update
-
-
-
Bear away (v)
It indicates a bow moving away from the wind direction
Update Update
-
-
-
Bear away (v)
To move away from a mooring, a quay or another boat
Update Update
-
-
-
Bearing
Angular distance between magnetic North and the observed object
Update Update
-
-
-
Bearing away
To increase the angle in relation to the direction where apparent wind comes from
Update Update
-
-
-
Bearing compass
Compass equipped with azimut devices
Update Update
-
-
-
Beaufort Francis
English admiral who lived in the 19th century. He invented the homonymous scale used to measure wind
Update Update
-
-
-
Beaufort Scale
A classification of wind force into 12 categories commonly used by seamen
Update Update
-
-
-
Becalmed
Calm wind
Update Update
-
-
-
Belay pin
Instrument used for splicing, made up of a wedge point which help strands to open
Update Update
-
-
-
Belaying-pin rack
Wooden or steel ring on the basis of the mast, where belay pins are fixed in order to block running riggings.
Update Update
-
-
-
Belaying-pin rack
Ring with many holes for belaying pins
Update Update
-
-
-
Bell
In the past, it was used to mark time; today, it is used to indicate a danger singnal or position in case of low visibility.
Update Update
-
-
-
Belly
Sail convexity
Update Update
-
-
-
Bermudian sail
Name given to the rigs of a Bermudian sail
Update Update
-
-
-
Bermudian sail
Mainsail used on modern boats, see also Marconi sail
Update Update
-
-
-
Berth
A bed in a boat
Update Update
-
-
-
Bildge
The lowest part of a hull
Update Update
-
-
-
Bilge keels
Extensible mobile wings mounted on the sides of the bottom to reduce roll
Update Update
-
-
-
Bilge pump
A hydraulic pump to bail out the water entered in the hull.
Update Update
-
-
-
Bill
Point of an anchor arm
Update Update
-
-
-
Binnacle
Structure which supports the magnetic compass. It usually contains compensation magnets
Update Update
-
-
-
Biscia
Hole in the floors or in bilge to empty water from bilge
Update Update
-
-
-
Bitt
To fix a rope to a bitt
Update Update
-
-
-
Bitt
L-shaped column located on quays or element mounted in the deck to fix mooring ropes
Update Update
-
-
-
Block
Keel supports in a dry dock
Update Update
-
-
-
Block
Pulley used to reduce the stress on a rope; it can be made up of one,two or more pulleys
Update Update
-
-
-
Block coefficient
Ratio between bottom lines and a cylinder, whose diameter is equal to bottom's depth. Value 1 indicates an almost cylindrical bottom; low values indicate a thin bottom. Catamarans have the highest block coefficient
Update Update
-
-
-
Blooper
Fore sail to be hoisted leeward the spinnaker with light winds
Update Update
-
-
-
Board
To approach to another boat
Update Update
-
-
-
Board
Position of an element in relation to the boat side. Outboard: out of the hull. Inboard: inside the hull. To keep a board: to keep course when wind comes from the same direction. To change board: to change course when wind come from the opposite direction
Update Update
-
-
-
Board (v)
To assault a ship after boarding it.
Update Update
-
-
-
Boarding
To direct the boat to approach another one
Update Update
-
-
-
Boat
Term used for all crafts with a lenght between 10 and 24 metres, including sailing and motor boats.
Update Update
-
-
-
Boat builder
A person specialised in wooden boat construction
Update Update
-
-
-
Boat gripe
Cable or rope, usually provided with turnbuckle to fix objects
Update Update
-
-
-
Boat hook
Wooden pole fitted with a hook or knob at one end, used for fending off or picking up lines at a dock or mooring/p>
Update Update
-
-
-
Boat hook
Boat hook with two hooks
Update Update
-
-
-
Boat hook
A long pole fitted with a hook or knob at one end
Update Update
-
-
-
Boat shed
Slipway where boats are placed to be repaired
Update Update
-
-
-
Boatswain
The leading seaman in charge of supervising crewmembers when performing work on deck
Update Update
-
-
-
Bolt rope
Reinforcement sewn on the sail end to increase resistence
Update Update
-
-
-
Boom
Wooden or aluminium pole supporting the lower part of the mainsail, fixed on the mast through a junction which allows it to change direction according to wind
Update Update -
Bottom cleaning
To remove deposits from the hull
Update Update
-
Bottom, hull
Immersed part of the hull.p>
Update Update
-
Bow
The forward part of a ship
Update Update
-
Bow anchor
An anchor placed in order to be ready to use
Update Update
-
Bow waves, bones
Frothy waves raised by the boat
Update Update
-
Bow-thruster
An auxiliary motor and propeller mounted athwartships at the bow, and employed to maneuver the ship sideways.
Update Update
-
Bowline
Very popular knot forming a ring
Update Update
-
Bowman
Member of the crew in charge of bow riggings
Update Update
-
Bowsprit
Wooden or aluminium pole supporting the lower part of the mainsail, fixed on the mast through a junction which allows it to change direction according to wind
Update Update
-
Brace
To move the spinnaker pole from the forestay
Update Update
-
Brace
Rope which sets a yard or a pole horizontally (for example, the spinnaker pole)
Update Update
-
Brace (v)
To haul the manoeuvring rope by opening a yard or the spinnaker pole
Update Update
-
Brail
A rope fixed to sail sides to fold them
Update Update
-
Bravo
Term which represents “B” in the international phonetic alphabet (ICAO)
Update Update
-
Break down, trip (v)
To set sail by detaching the anchor from the bottom
Update Update
-
Breakwater
Raised borders used to prevent water from entering the cockpit
Update Update
-
Breeching
Mooring cable located on the bow or the stern extended along the hull to fix to a quay
Update Update
-
Breeze
Coastal wind caused by a difference in temperature between land and sea.
Update Update
-
Bridge deck
Place which a ship is steered from
Update Update
-
Bridle, flap
End of anchor arms
Update Update
-
Bucket
Container suitable for liquids
Update Update
-
Bulb
Swelling of the fore part of a ship to increase speed; terminal part of a centre board in a sailing boat, generally made of plumb or cast iron, used to increase stability
Update Update
-
Bulinchia
Lever with eccentric hook to close portholes,skylights or hatches
Update Update
-
Bulkhead
Vertical structure which separates two zones in the cabin. Sometimes, it can be watertight in order to increase safety in case of collision
Update Update
-
Bumpkin
Small pole used to let sheet hang out outboard by increasings their efficiency and preventing them from scarping on shrouds
Update Update
-
Bumps
Additional bumps used to change the sizes of the construction parameters of a hull
Update Update
-
Buoy
Floating element anchored on the sea bottom for mooring or signals
Update Update
-
Buoy rope
Rope fixed to the anchor ring
Update Update
-
backed anchor
An anchor removed from its seat and ready to be dropped in the water
Update Update
The nautical world is constantly evolving and up with the times, strongly linked to some firm traditions which drives the field to a precious niche in the international market. Nautical terms have always distinguish the nautical world. They are not only common sayings but specific nouns and adjectives forming a real specific language. In this section, you can find not only the most popular nautical terms but also details,interjections, compound sentences and a peculiar grammar! A real nautical dictionary including any need of lexical knowledge. yachtingmedia is the online portal which offers the widest selection of updated contents. Behind this, there is a team of sailing and web experts who know the field and, above all, love this wonderful world! Here you can find thousands of useful information about harbours, havens, boats and boats for sale; stay up-to-date,sail with yachtingmedia, the online pilot book which drives you towards a safe funny navigation!
-