Return to Flotilla 7-9's Home Page.

Nautical Terms If you have ever wanted to appear a bit “Saltier” than you really are perhaps the "daffynitions" below will help you. Amidships - condition of being surrounded by boats. Anchor - a device designed to bring up mud samples from the bottom at inopportune or unexpected times. Anchor Light - a small light used to discharge the battery before daylight. Berth - a little addition to the crew. Boom - sometimes the result of a surprise jibe. Bottom Paint - what you get when the cockpit seats are freshly painted. Chart - a type of map which tells you exactly where you are aground. Companionway - a double berth. Dead Reckoning - a course leading directly to a reef. Deadrise - getting up to check the anchor at 0300. Deviation - any departure from the Captain's orders. Dinghy - the sound of the ship's bell. Displacement - when you dock your boat and can't find it later. Estimated Position - a place you have marked on the chart where you are sure you are not. First Mate - Crewmember necessary for skippers to practice shouting instructions to. Foul Wind - breeze produced by flying turkey. Freeboard - food and liquor supplied by the owner. Headway - what you are making if you can't get the toilet to work. Heave-Ho - what you do when you've eaten too much Ho. Keel - term used by 1st mate after too much heel by skipper. Landlubber - anyone on board who wishes he/she were not. Latitude - the number of degrees off course allowed a guest. Mast - religious ritual used before setting sail. Mizzen - an object you can't find. Ram - an intricate docking maneuver sometimes used by experienced skippers. Rhumb Line - two or more crew-members waiting for a drink. Sheet - cool, damp, salty night covering. Shroud - equipment used in connection with a wake. Starboard - special board used by skippers for navigation (usually with "Port" on the opposite side.) Swell - a wave that's just great. Square Rigger - a rigger over 30.