Section 1 • Safety

20.Nautical Terms

Abeam – object 90 degrees ( 90° ) to center line on either side of boat.

Abaft – a point on a boat that is aft of another.

Aft - toward the rear or stern of the boat.

Beam - the maximum width of a boat.

Bilge - the lowest part of the hull on the inside where fluids collect.

Bow - the forward part of a boat.

Bow Eye - bolt with looped head mounted on extreme forward part of bow, used for towing or tying up boat.

Bulkhead - vertical partition in a boat

Chine - meeting juncture of side and bottom of boat.

Chock - deck fitting, used as a guide for mooring or anchor lines. Also, a wedge to stop wheels from rolling.

Cleat - deck fitting with arms or horns to which lines are tied or made fast.

Cockpit - the open space from which a boat is operated.

Deck - upper structure which covers the hull between gunwales.

Downwind - in the direction the wind is blowing toward

Draft – depth of water required to float boat and its propulsion system.

Fathom - six feet.

Fenders - rope or plastic pieces hung over the side to protect the hull from chafing against a dock or another boat.

Freeboard - height of exposed hull from water line to deck.

Ground tackle - general term referring to anchors, anchor lines, etc.

Gunwale (pronounced gun'l) - where the hull and deck come together; the "sides" of the boat in the cockpit area.

Hatch - an opening in the deck to provide access below.

Head - toilet or toilet area in a boat.

Headroom - vertical distance between the deck and cabin or canopy top.

Helm - steering and controls console.

Hull - the lower part of a boat beneath the deck and cockpit that provides buoyancy to float the weight of the craft and its load.

Keel - the major longitudinal member of a hull; the lowest external portion of a boat.

Knot - unit of speed in nautical miles per hour.

Lee - the side that is sheltered from the wind.

PFD - Personal Flotation Device; life jacket or preserver.

Port - term designating left side of the boat when facing forward.

Rudder - Movable fixture at the stern used for steering.

Scupper - hole permitting water to drain overboard from deck or cockpit.

Sheer - curve or sweep of the deck as viewed from the side.

Snub - to check or tighten a line suddenly.

Starboard - term designating right side of the boat.

Stern - the rear (aft) end of a boat.

Stern drive - outboard unit of an inboard/outboard (I/O) engine installation.

Stringer - longitudinal members fastened inside the hull for additional structural strength.

Transom - the rear part of the boat across the back, to which the drive unit and swim platform are attached.

Upwind - in the direction the wind is blowing from.

Wake - disturbed water that a boat leaves behind as a result of forward motion.

Windward - toward the direction from which the wind is blowing.

405 Performance®

1.15

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Baja Marine 405 manual Nautical Terms