BECKET
A short Line or Rope that is looped through its Eye-Splice at one end,
used to Secure Spars, Coils of Line, etc.

BECKET BLOCK
A Block with a metal eye attached to the outside of its casing.

BEDDING COMPOUND
A material, similar to putty, used to create a watertight seal.

BEFORE-THE-WIND
Sailing with the True and Apparent wind directly Astern.
(Also, see DEAD-DOWN-WIND, RUN, RUNNING, and SAILING-ON-A-RUN)

BEING-AT-ANCHOR
(See VESSEL-AT-ANCHOR)

BELAY
1. Making a Line Fast to a Belaying Pin or Cleat.
2. A Command to cease an action immediately.
[e.g., "Belay releasing the Bow Line from the Pier Stanchion."]
(Also, see AVAST)

BELAYING PIN
One of a number of removable pins that fit vertically in a Fiferail and
sometimes in pierced horizontal rails along the Bulwarks of large
sailing Vessels, used to Belay Running Rigging.

BELL
1. A ship's Bell used during Fog, or when a Vessel (usually over 12 meters)
is At Anchor or Aground.
2. A Bell used on Watch, ringing in sequence for every half hour until eight
bells, marking four hours and the change of the Watch.

BELOW
(Below-Decks)
Any place on the Vessel, as Inside the Cabin, beneath the
Weather Deck and Cockpit.

BELOW-DECKS
(See BELOW)

BEND
(Bend-On)
1. A Knot used to attach a Line to another Line, Spar, or Stay.
2. Making ready to Hoist by attaching Sails to Spars and Stays,
and Deploying Running Rigging.
(Also, see MAKE FAST)

BEND-ON
(See BEND)

BENEAPED
(See NEAPED)

BENT
(Past tense of BEND)

BERTH
1. A place for Securing a Vessel as at a Pier or Wharf.
(Also, see SLIP)
2. A place On-Board for a person to sleep.
3. Keeping the Vessel a safe distance from hazardous objects.
[e.g.,"Give the Flotsam a wide Berth before Coming About."]

BERMUDAN RIG
(See MARCONI RIG)

BI-COLOR LIGHT
(Bow Light, Combination Light)
A single fixture containing two Navigation Lights (green and red
Running Lights), mounted on the Bow or Bow Rail.
(Also, see TRI-COLOR LIGHT)

BIG BOY
(See BLOOPER)

BIGHT
The Slack or loop of a Line between the two ends.
(Also, see BAIN)

BILGE
1. On the inside: the lower-most bottom of the Hull.
2. On the outside: the round part of the Hull where it curves up
from the bottom to the sides of the Vessel.

BILGE BLOCK
A device that supports the bottom of a Vessel, at the Bilge, when
in Dry Dock.

BILGEBOARD SAILBOAT
(See SAILING SCOW)

BILGEBOARDS
Stainless Steel boards, located near the Bilge at each side of the Hull of
Sailing Scows, which extend out at an angle when lowered. The Leeward
Bilgeboard is always lowered to reduce Leeway and provide Lateral
Resistance when Beating, while the Windward Bilgeboard is raised.
Both Bilgeboards are lowered half-way down when on a Run.

BILGE PUMP
An electrical or manually operated device used to remove water from the Bilge.

BILGE WATER
An accumulation of water in the Bilge. Bilge Water should be pumped
on a regular basis.

BILL
The pointed end of an Anchor Fluke.

BIMINI
A cover or awning used to shelter the Cockpit from the sun.
(Also, see DODGER)

BINNACLE
The housing for the Compass, usually located on the Steering Pedestal.

BITE
A term to describe the Anchor Fluke digging into the Bottom.

BITT
A short, heavy, and firmly mounted metal or wooden post on Deck, at the
Bow or Stern, used to Secure Lines for Anchoring, Mooring, or towing.
[Note: Bitts are usually found in pairs on larger Vessels.]
(Also, see BOLLARD and SAMSON POST)

BITTER END
The inboard end of a Line or Rope, usually Made Fast to a Cleat
On Board a Vessel.
(Also, see WORKING END)

BLACK SQUALL
(See SQUALL)

BLANKET
When the Sails of the boat to Windward block (Blanket) the wind
from the Sails of the boat to Leeward.
(Also, see CLEAR WIND and WIND SHADOW)

BLOCK
A device with metal or composite cheeks enclosing Sheaves, through
which Lines are Rove to form a Hoisting or Hauling Tackle.

BLOCK-AND-TACKLE
A configuration of Rope and Blocks for Hoisting and Securing Rigging.
(Also, see BOOM-VANG)

BLOOPER
(Big Boy)
A very large Headsail flown in conjunction with and Set Leeward of the
Spinnaker to reduce Yaw.

BLOW
Sailor slang indicating strong Winds usually of Gale Force and above.

BLUE PETER
A Signal Flag (i.e., a rectangular blue Flag with a smaller white
rectangle in the center, which signifies the letter P) that is
raised on a Moored Vessel in the Harbor indicating that all
who belong on the Vessel should report Aboard As-Soon-As-
Possible (ASAP), since the Vessel will soon be heading
out to Sea.

BLUE-WATER
The Sea, far from Shore.

BLUE-WATER SAILING
Sailing the Sea, far from Shore.

BOARD
1. To get Aboard a Vessel.
2. Short for Bilgeboard, Centerboard, Daggerboard, and Sailboard.
3. When Beating-To-Windward, Board is the distance sailed on a single
Tack before Coming About.

BOARDING LADDER
(See STERN LADDER)

BOARDING WAVE
A Wave that breaks over the Deck of the boat.
(Also, see POOPED)

BOAT
A small open Vessel that is powered by engine or sail.
The term "Boat" is often used to describe any size Vessel.

BOAT HOOK
A pole with a hook mounted at one end, used for retrieving objects from
the water, Fending, picking up Mooring Lines, etc.

BOAT-LENGTH
A term used to indicate the Vessel's Length-Over-All (LOA).
[e.g., When approaching the Docking area to Land at the Pier,
either under Sail or Auxiliary Power, the Foredeck Crew
calls out the diminishing distance, in Boat-Lengths,
between the Bow and the Pier during the approach,
so that the Helm can determine when to Depower,
execute a soft Landing, and avoid a Ram.]

BOATSWAIN
(Pronounced: "Bosun" or "Bo'sun")
(See BOSUN DUTY)

BOATYARD
A land based property where boats are lifted out of the water for storage.

BOBSTAY
A Stay made of Cable or Chain, Fitted to the Stem of the Boat,
and connected to the Bowsprit in order to counter the upward
pull of the Forestay.

BODY-OF-WATER
A general term used to describe Bays, Harbors, Lakes, and Oceans.

BODY-OVER-BOARD
(BOB)
(See CREW-OVERBOARD-PROCEDURE)

BOLLARD
A thick, low post, usually of iron or steel, firmly mounted on the Decks
of large Vessels, Quays, and Piers to which Mooring Lines are Made Fast.

BOLT-ROPE
Cordage sewn into the Leading Edge (Luff) and/or the edge at the Foot of
a Sail for the purpose of feeding the Bolt-Rope into the Grooved Spar for
the purpose of Securing Sails to the Spars when Hoisted.
(Also, see LUFF CORD)

BONE-IN-HER-TEETH
A phrase used by Sailors to describe the foam and spray that is generated
by the Bow of a Keelboat moving fast through the water.
(Also, see BOW WAVE)

BOOM
A horizontal Spar connected to the Aft side of the Mast by a Gooseneck
Fitting, used for extending the Foot of the Mainsail.

BOOM BRAKE
Line or Rope attached to the Boom and attached to a Cleat or Winch
to ensure a Controlled Jibe.

BOOM CLAW
(See REEFING CLAW)

BOOM CRUTCH
(Gallows Frame)
A support that holds the Boom in place when it's not in use.

BOOM-LIFT
A Line running from the top of the Mast to the Aft end of the Boom and
onto a Cleat along the side of the Boom, for the purpose of maintaining
Twist in the Mainsail during light air.
(Also, see TOPPING-LIFT)

BOOM-OUT
To extend the Clew of the Jib or Genoa outside the boat to Windward when
Sailing on a Run or Dead Downwind, using a Whisker Pole or any other
pole, in order to reduce the Blanket effect of the Mainsail on the
Headsail and allow the Sail to fill with Wind.
(Also, see WING-AND-WING)

BOOM SLOT
(Grooved Spar)
The groove formed in the top edge of the Boom on a Fore-And-Aft
Sailing Vessel into which the Bolt Rope at the Foot of the
Mainsail is inserted for the purpose of Securing the Foot
to the Boom when the Sail is Hoisted.
(Also, see MAST SLOT and MAST TRACK)

BOOM STRAP
The metal Fitting Fixed to the Boom to which the upper Mainsheet Block
is Shackled.
(Also, see REEFING CLAW)

BOOM-VANG
(Vang)
A mechanical device or Block-And-Tackle, Fitted to the lower Aft side
of the Mast and the Boom, used for tightening the Mainsail Leech when
Beating, preventing the Boom from lifting when Sailing Downwind, and
keeping the Boom horizontal at any Point-Of-Sail.

BOSS
The hub or center of a Propeller to which the Propeller blades and
engine drive shaft are connected.

BOSUN'S BAG
A utility kit packed in a canvas bag used during Bosun Duty, containing
extra Lines, Rope, sewing gear, tape, and other tools for repairing
equipment and Chafed Rigging On-Board.
(Also, see BOSUN'S LOCKER)

BOSUN'S CHAIR
A seating device attached to the Mainsail Halyard for a Crew member to
be Hoisted Aloft into the Rigging to effect repairs.

BOSUN DUTY
(Chafing Patrol)
Bosun Duty on a Sailing Vessel is taking a turn Topside and Below Decks,
at least once a day, inspecting Sails, Rigging, and equipment for wear
and tear due to Chafing and making immediate repairs where necessary.
Bosun Duty is a required necessity for all Crew members to be ever
watchful for any Chafing or wear of equipment and Rigging On Board.

BOSUN'S LOCKER
A locker or Lazarette On Board where the Bosun's Bag is Stowed.

BOTTOM
1. The Ocean Floor or ground under a Body-Of-Water.
2. The part of the Hull that is below the Waterline.

BOTTOM PAINT
(See ANTIFOULING PAINT)

BOUSE
(Bowse)
To Haul down on a Line, Rope, or Tackle.
(Also, see JUMP-THE-MAST)

BOW
The forward end of the boat.

BOW LIGHT
(See BI-COLOR LIGHT)

BOW LINE
The Line used to Secure and Cast Off a Sailboat. The Bitter End of a
Bow Line is always attached to the Foredeck Cleat.

BOWLINE KNOT
(Pronounced “Bow´Lyn”)
A Knot used to make a non-slipping loop on the end of a Line.
[Used primarily for fastening Sheets to Clews]

BOW PLATE
A steel plate fastened to the Deck at the Bow to which the Forestay
is attached.
(Also, see STEMHEAD FITTING)

BOW RAIL
(See PULPIT)

BOWSE
(See BOUSE)

BOW SHACKLE
(See HARP SHACKLE)

BOWSPRIT
A Strong Spar extending forward from the upper end of the Bow.

BOW WAVE
A divergent Wave, which spreads out diagonally from the Bow, generated
by the forward motion of a Vessel through the water.
(Also, see BONE-IN-HER-TEETH)

BRACE
A Line to control movement at the end of a Spar of a Square Sail.
(Also, see GUY)

BRAIL
To gather the Mainsail to the Mast.

BREAKERS
Cresting Waves that exceed their depth, with the Wave tops tumbling
forward. Breakers usually occur near Shore and in shallow water.

BREAKING SEAS
Cresting Waves in deep water with the Wave tops tumbling forward.

BREAK OUT
1. To pull the Anchor out of the Holding Ground before raising.
2. Tensioning the Sheet to Break Out a Sail, such as a Spinnaker,
that has been Hoisted In-Stops.

BREAKWATER
A man-made barrier that protects a Harbor by breaking the force of Waves.

BREAST LINES
Mooring Lines attached laterally and at right angles from both the Bow
and Stern of a Vessel to a Dock or another boat.

BREEZE
Wind velocity ranging from Force 2 to Force 6 on the Beaufort Wind Scale.
(Also, see LAND BREEZE and SEA BREEZE)

BRIDLE
Cable wire that is Fixed to each end of a Spar or pole, such as a
Spinnaker Pole, with a Halyard or Line Shackled to the middle of
the Bridle for the purpose of lifting or lowering.
(Also, see SPINNAKER POLE TOPPING-LIFT/DOWNHAUL)

BRIGHTWORK
Polished metal and/or Varnished wood on a Vessel.

BRISTOL FASHION
A term indicating that a Vessel and its Crew has attained the highest
standard of Seamanship, above and beyond Shipshape.

BROACHING
(Broach-To)
When a Vessel turns Broadside into oncoming Waves.

BROACH-TO
(See BROACHING)

BROAD-ON-THE-BOW
The position of an object that lies outside and 45° between Abeam and
Dead-Ahead at the Bow to either the Port or Starboard side of the Vessel.

BROAD-ON-THE-QUARTER
The position of an object that lies outside and 45° between Abeam and
Dead-Astern to either the Port or Starboard side of the Vessel.

BROAD REACH
Sailing on a Point-Of-Sail between a Beam Reach and Running where the
Apparent Wind is Abeam to on the Quarter.

BROADSIDE
The side of the Vessel facing on to the Waves.

BRUCE ANCHOR
A U-shaped, one-piece stockless Anchor with a long Shank, short Arm,
and a large single scoop-like Fluke. The Arm is angled 90° at the
Crown. The Fluke is angled 90° at the end of the Arm, which has a
large Bill that is parallel to the Shank and points toward the
Head for excellent Holding Power.
(Also, see CQR or PLOW ANCHOR)

BUILD
(Building, Builds)
Sailor jargon indicating that True Wind velocity is increasing.
[e.g., "When the wind Builds to force 5, reef the sails."]
(Also, see PICKING-UP)

BULKHEAD
A transverse interior wall in the Hull of a Vessel that may be watertight.

BULWARK
(See BULWARKS)

BULWARKS
(Bulwark)
The vertical solid extension of the Weather Deck, usually on a large
Vessel, the Bulwark rail coming up to a level somewhat above a person’s
hip enclosing the perimeter of the Deck for the protection of all
On Board. Freeing Ports are cut into the Bulwarks, interspersed
along the Gunwale from Bow to Stern, allowing spray and excess
Deck water to drain overboard.
(Also, see TOE-RAIL)

BUNKBOARD
(Leeboard)
A plank or sailcloth Rigged along the open side of a sleeping Berth,
used to prevent Crew from falling off the bunk to Leeward when the
Vessel Heels at Sea.

BUNT
The middle part of the Sail
(also, see CAMBER)

BUNTLINE HITCH
A type of Knot used to attach a Line to a Shackle.

BUCKET
1. A much needed utilitarian device On Board any Vessel.
2. Sailor Slang for a Vessel that is less than Shipshape.

BUOY
1. An anchored floating object marking Navigable Channels, hazards,
and prohibited areas.
2. An anchored floating object for Mooring boats.
3. An anchored floating object for marking a Sailboat race course.
(Also, see MARK)

BURDENED VESSEL
(See GIVE-WAY VESSEL)

BURGEE
A small triangular Pennant or flag that is used for identification.

BUYS BALLOT'S LAW
A theorem advanced by the Dutch meteorologist, Buys Ballot in 1857,
stating that if one stands facing the True Wind, low pressure will
always be to the right in the Northern Hemisphere, and to the left
in the Southern Hemisphere.
(Also, see APPARENT WIND and TRUE WIND)

BY-THE-LEE
Sailing Before-The-Wind with the Boom on the same side as the Wind.
This Point-Of-Sail is hazardous because of the potential for an
Uncontrolled Jibe.
(Also, see PREVENTER)

BY-THE-WIND
(See CLOSE-HAULED)