Boating Glossary
When you're new to boating some nautical words might not be easy to understand, so we have provided a basic introduction to some of the most common terminology.
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TACHOMETER
A gauge that measures engine revolutions per minute.TACK
1. The lower forward corner of a triangular sail2. The direction that a boat is sailing with respect to the wind. A sailboat cannot sail directly into the wind, and must therefore sail a zig zag course to windward, at about a 45 degree angle to the wind.
3. To change a boat's direction, bringing the bow through the eye of the wind.
TENDER
1. A small boat accompanying a yacht or other pleasure vessel, used to transport persons, gear, and supplies; sometimes called a dinghy.2. Most commonly refers to one who tends to a drawbridge. Boaters contact the bridge tender to get the bridge raised so they can pass under.
TETHER
A line attached between a safety harness and a secure part of the boat.THROTTLE
Regulates the flow of fuel, and thus the speed, of an internal combustion engine.THROUGH HULL
A fitting or object that goes all the way through a hull.THWARTSHIPS
At right angles to the centerline of the boat.TIDAL CURRENT
The horizontal movement of the water due to tide.TIDE
The periodic rise and fall of water level in the oceans.TIDE TABLE
A publication predicting the time and height of high tide and low tide.TILLER
A bar or handle for turning a boat's rudder or an outboard motor.TILLER EXTENSION
Hinged extension of the tiller which allows the skipper to control the tiller while hiking or sitting forward.TONGUE WEIGHT
The measurement of trailer weight when loaded with a boat on the hitch ball.TOPSIDES
The sides of a vessel between the waterline and the deck; sometimes referring to onto or above the deck.TOWING
Assisting a vessel unable to maneuver by pulling, pushing or towing alongside.TRAILER WINCH
Device that uses a crank and cable to assist in launching and retrieving a boat.TRANSDUCER
An electronic sensing device mounted in a boat's bilge or at the bottom of the transom to provide data for a depth sounder.TRANSOM
The stern cross-section of a square sterned boat.TRIM
Fore and aft balance of a boat. To set and adjust sails.TRIM TAB
An adjustable section of the rudder that allows the rudder to be corrected for lee helm or weather helm.TROUGH
The bottom of a wave.TURTLE
1. To tip the boat over so that the boat is upside down with the mast pointing down to the sea bottom.2. A bag in which a spinnaker or other large sail can be stowed with the lines attached so that it can be rapidly raised.
TWO CYCLE ENGINE
A gasoline- or diesel-powered internal combustion engine that takes two cycles or strokes of the piston to complete its power phase. Also called two-stroke engine.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
