NAUTICAL GLOSSARY
Adrift
Floating without mooring or direction.
Afloat
On the water.
Aft
Describing the after section of a vessel, or things to the rear
of amidships and near the stern.
Aground
Touching bottom.
Amidships
In the center, the center portion of a vessel.
Anchor
A forging or casting shaped to grip the sea bottom and, by
means of a cable or rope, hold a boat in a desired position.
Anchorage
A customary, suitable and (usually) designated harbor area in
which vessels may anchor.
Bail
To remove water from a boat by pump or bailer.
Beacon
A post or buoy placed over a shoal or bank to warn vessels,
also a signal mark on land.
Beam
Imaginary line amidships at right angles to keel of vessel.
Also vessels width amidships.
Bearing
The direction or point of the compass in which an object is seen.
Bilge
The lower internal part of a boat’s hull.
Bow
The forward part or front of the boat.
Bulkhead
Vertical partition in a boat.
Burdened Vessel
Former term for the vessel which must stay clear of vessels
with the right-of-way.
Carburetor Backfire
Flame Arrestor
Required equipment on all motorboats except outboards and
diesels. Reduces chance of fire caused by backfires in
internal combustion engines.
Chart
A map of a body of water that contains piloting information.
Chine
The intersection of sides and bottom of a boat.
Cleat
A piece of wood or metal with projecting ends to which lines
are made fast.
Cockpit
A well or sunken space in the afterdeck of a small boat for the
use of the helmsman and crew.
Companionway
A hatch or entrance, from deck to cabin.
Compass
The instrument which shows the heading of a vessel.
Current
The movement of the water in a horizontal direction.
Deadrise
The rise of the bottom of a midships frame from the keel to
the bilge.
Section 1
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Owner’s/Operator’s Manual
Crownline_OM_sec1:Crownline OM 11/10/2006 3:13 PM Page 1-18
