Landfall is our house and our home. But some parts of our house are not called by the same names they would be if they were in a house on land. The first table provides a list of nautical terms and their land-based equivalent.

Glossary Exercises:

1. What's the difference between a windlass and a windvane?

2. In what area of the boat would you find a windvane?
a. bow b. stern c. starboard d. port

3. If you were steering the boat, where would you be? In the:
a. galley b. head c. cockpit d. saloon

4. What mechanical device would you use to help you raise the sails?
a. keel b. sheet c. winch d. tiller

There are many parts of a vessel that have no land term equivalent, for example, the names for the sails, rigging, and anchor equipment. This glossary provides definitions of some of the boat and navigation terms that we may use in our stories and lessons. After studying the glossary terms, try your hand at the Glossary Exercises.

anchor
A heavy device, usually metal, fastened to a rode (long length of chain or line), used to hold a vessel in position.

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bilge
The interior of the hull below the floorboards.

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boom
A horizontal pole attached to the lower end of the mast, used to support a sail.

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bow
The front end of the boat.

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cockpit
The location on a vessel where the helmsman steers the vessel .

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deck
The permanent covering over a compartment, hull or any part of a ship, serving as a floor.

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ebb
A receding current.

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fathom
A measurement of water depth. One fathom equals six feet.

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fender
A cushion placed between boats, or between a boat and a pier, to prevent damage.

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flood
A incoming current.

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galley
The kitchen area of a vessel.

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geosynchronous
An object, usually a satellite, having an orbit with the same angular velocity as the earth, so that the position in orbit is fixed with respect to the earth. GPS navigational tools rely on satellites in geosynchronous orbit around the earth to determine a GPS receiver's location on earth. Synonym: geostationary.

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ground tackle
The collective term for the anchors and rodes aboard a vessel.

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head
A marine toilet; also refers to the bathroom area of a vessel. Also the name for the upper corner of a triangular sail.

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heading
The direction in which a vessel's bow points at any given time, or in navigation, the compass direction the boat must sail to progress to a specified location.

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helm
The wheel or tiller controlling the rudder.

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helmsperson
The person in control of the helm, steering the boat. Also called helmsman.

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hull
The main body of a vessel.

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inboard
More toward the center of a vessel; inside; a motor fitted inside a vessel.

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jettison
To cast overboard or off of a vessel. Informal: to discard (something) as unwanted or burdensome.

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jetty
A structure in the water, usually concrete or rock, projecting out from the shore; usually created to protect a harbor entrance.

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keel
The centerline of a vessel running fore and aft; the backbone of a vessel.

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latitude
The distance north or south of the equator, measured and expressed in degrees.

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longitude
The distance, in degrees, east or west of the 0 meridian at Greenwich, England.

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mast
A tall pole (spar) set upright on a vessel, used to support rigging and sails.

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nautical mile
One minute of latitude; approximately 6076 feet, or about 1/8 longer than a statute mile of 5280 feet.

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navigation
The art and science of conducting a boat safely from one point to another. Usually involves compass and nautical chart reading, chart plotting, and use of the GPS. Safe navigation also requires knowledge of the local winds, currents and weather.

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navigation rules
The regulations governing the movement of vessels in relation to each other, also called steering and sailing rules.

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ornithologist
A scientist who studies birds.

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outboard
Toward or beyond the vessel's sides. A detachable engine mounted on a vessel's stern.

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overboard
Over the side or out of the vessel.

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port
The left side of a vessel, when facing the bow.

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rode
The chain or line that attaches an anchor to a vessel.

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rudder
A flat piece or structure of wood or metal attached upright to the stern of a vessel that can be turned, causing the vessel to turn.

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sheet
A length of line (rope) that adjusts a sail's angle to the wind.

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squall
A sudden, violent wind often accompanied by rain, thunder and lightening.

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starboard
The right hand side of a vessel, when facing the bow.

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stern
The back end of a vessel.

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tide
The periodic rise and fall of the water level in salt water rivers, seas and oceans.

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tiller
A wooden or metal bar or handle used to turning a vessel's rudder or outboard motor.

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underway
A vessel in motion, i.e., when it is not moored, at anchor, or aground.

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VHF radio
A very high frequency electronic communications and direction finding system.

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vessel
The generic term for a boat, ship, sailboat, motorboat, etc.

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winch
A mechanical device used to increase hauling power when raising or trimming the sails.

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windlass
A mechanical device located on the bow of a vessel used to pull in the anchor and rode.

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