Cabin, Cabin Trunk, Cable, Calibrate, Calm, Camber, Cam Cleat, Canal,
Can Buoy, Canvas, Cape, Cap Shrouds, Capsize, Capstan, Captain, Car,
Carabiner, Carbine Hook, Cardinal Points, Carrick Bend, Carry, Carry Way,
Cars, Cast, Cast Off, Cat, Catalina-Racing-Stripes, Catamaran, Cat-Boat,
Catenary, Cat's Paw, Cat-Rig, Cay, Celestial Equator, Celestial Meridian,
Celestial Navigation, Celestial Poles, Celestial Sphere, Centerboard,
Centerboard Halyard, Centerboard Trunk, Centerline, Chafe, Chafing,
Chafing Patrol, Chain Leader, Chainplates, Channel, Channel Marker,
Chart, Chartering, Cheek Block, Cheeks, Chine, Chinese Jibe, Chinese Lug,
Chock, Chop, Chord, Chronometer, Chute, Civil Time, Clam Cleat, Claw Off,
Claw Ring, Cleaning-Up-The-Spaghetti, Clear, Clear Wind, Cleat,
Cleat Hitch, Clevis Pin, Clew, Clewboard, Clew Outhaul, Clocking,
Close Aboard, Close Alongside, Close-Hauled, Close Quarters, Close Reach,
Close-Reefed, Clove Hitch, Club Footed, Coaming, Coast, Coastal Navigation,
Coastal Zone, Coast Guard, Coastline, Cock, Cockpit, Coffee Grinder, Coil,
Cold Front, Collision, Collision Course, COLREGS, Combination Buoy,
Combination Light, Come About, Come-To-Anchor, Command, Companionway,
Compass, Compass Bearing, Compass Bowl, Compass Card, Compass Course,
Compass Deviation, Compass Deviation Card, Compass Error, Compass Heading,
Compass Needle, Compass Pivot, Compass Rose, Compass Variation, Compasses,
Con, Cone, Confused Seas, Constant Bearing, Controlled Jibe, Cordage,
Coriolis Acceleration, Coriolis Effect, Coriolis Force, Cotter Pin,
Counter, Course, Courtesy Flag, Cove, Cowl, CQR Anchor, Cradle, Craft,
Crane, Crank, Crest, Crew, Crew-Overboard-Procedure, Cringle, Crippled,
Crosshead Bollard, Cross Seas, Crossing Situation, Crosstrees, Crow's Nest,
Cruise, Cruiser, Cruising, Cruising Speed, Crutch, Cunningham, Current, Cut,
Cut Splice, Cutter, Cyclone, Cyclonic Wind.
CABIN
The enclosed area Forward of the Cockpit (usually below the
Weather Deck, with raised top and sides to provide Head Room
Below, and has Side Decks to Port and Starboard), used as
shelter and temporary occupancy for Crew Aboard a Vessel.
(Also, see CABIN TRUNK and QUARTERS)
CABIN TRUNK
(See TRUNK CABIN)
CABLE
One tenth of a Nautical Mile.
[i.e., Approximately 608 feet, 200 yards, and 100 Fathoms]
(Also, see ANCHOR CABLE, WIRE CABLE, and WIRE ROPE)
CALIBRATE
(Calibrating, Calibration)
1. Correcting for Compass Error.
2. Adjusting the Standing Rigging to the correct tension.
(Also, see TUNE)
CALM
Wind speed under one Knot or one mile. Force 0 on the Beaufort Scale.
(Also, see BECALMED and DOLDRUMS)
CAMBER
(Draft, Fullness)
The Leeward curvature of a Sail, especially the Mainsail.
CAM CLEAT
(Sheet Cleat)
A mechanical cleating device having two spring-loaded rotating cams with
teeth, which are set side-by-side in order to close and hold the Line
opposite of the Haul. Cam Cleats are used mainly to control Sheets on
Sailing Dinghies, such as Scows, because of the need for speed when
Tacking. When it is time to Come About, one frees the Line from
the grip of the cams by a quick upward snap of the Sheet.
(Also, see JAM CLEAT and HORN CLEAT)
CANAL
A man-made Waterway, Dredged to a specified depth for Vessel passage.
CAN BUOY
A cylindrical Buoy painted green with odd numbers and used as an Aid
To Navigation (ATON) on US waterways. When a Vessel enters a Channel
returning from Sea, the Green Buoys are kept to the left or Port side
of the Vessel.
(Also, see GREEN DAYMARK)
CANVAS
(See SAILS)
CAPE
Land that juts into the Ocean or other large Body-Of-Water.
[e.g., Cape Cod, Cape Horn, or Cape of Good Hope]
CAP SHROUDS
Shrouds that are Led from the Masthead down to the Chain Plates.
CAPSIZE
(Knockdown)
To overturn a sailing Vessel with its Mast in the water.
CAPSTAN
(Gipsy or Gypsy)
A mechanical device that is powered manually or with electrical power having
a large rotating drum on a vertical spindle, used for Hauling heavy Line, or
for Kedging and Warping. A Capstan is used mostly on larger Vessels with
heavy Ground Tackle for Anchoring.
(Also, see WINDLASS)
CAPTAIN
(See SKIPPER)
CAR
A Fitting with a Block or Fairlead attached, which slides along a track
Mounted on Deck and running Fore-And-Aft on both the Starboard and Port
Deck, through which Sheets are Rove for Trimming Headsails.
(Also, see TRAVELLER)
CARABINER
A D-shaped ring with a spring-pin that closes from the inside.
(Also, see CARBINE HOOK)
CARBINE HOOK
A ring with a spring-pin that closes from the inside so that it can
be quickly attached onto Cable, Rope, or Safety Rigging. Carbine
Hooks on a Safety-Harness-Lifeline come with a spring-loaded sleeve
lock, preventing the spring-pin from opening inadvertently.
CARDINAL POINTS
North, South, East and West points marked on a Compass Rose.
CARRICK BEND
A Knot or Bend for joining the ends of heavy Rope such as Warp.
CARRY
(Carry Way)
The continuing momentum of a Depowered Vessel.
[e.g., A large ship with its engine shut down, will
Carry at least several miles before coming to a Dead Stop]
CARRY WAY
(See CARRY)
CAST
1. To Back the Jib after Weighing Anchor in order to get Underway.
2. To take a Sounding with the Lead Line.
CAST OFF
To release the Bow Line from a Mooring in order to get Underway.
CAT
(See CATAMARAN)
CATALINA-RACING-STRIPES
A term used by some sailors to describe a Vessel Underway with
Fenders still hanging over the side after leaving the Pier.
CATAMARAN
(Cat)
A Sailing Vessel formed of two outer twin Hulls, the Hulls extended out
from the center-line and connected by a frame, with netting for a Deck.
CAT-BOAT
(Cat-Rig)
A Fore-And-Aft Rigged Sailboat without a Headsail, having its Mast Stepped
well forward in order to accommodate a large Mainsail.
CATENARY
The curve formed by any type of Line, Chain, or Warp hanging freely
in the water between two fixed points.
[e.g., Catenary is the curve of an Anchor Rode between the Bow and
the Anchor on the Bottom.]
CAT'S PAW
A small ripple appearing on a relatively flat water surface during
light wind days.
(Also, see ZEPHYR)
CAT-RIG
(See CAT-BOAT)
CAY
A small low island such as Cays found in the Caribbean.
(Also, see KEY)
CELESTIAL EQUATOR
The Great Circle of the Celestial Sphere, lying in the same plane as
the earth's Equator.
CELESTIAL MERIDIAN
The Meridian that connect the Celestial Poles, which correspond to the
terrestrial Meridian.
CELESTIAL NAVIGATION
(Astro-Navigation)
Navigation by means of measuring the apparent Altitude of Heavenly
Bodies sighted above the Horizon using a Sextant and recording the
times of these sightings with an accurate clock or Chronometer, then
comparing the recordings with the tables presented in the Nautical
Almanac to determine the position of a Vessel-At-Sea.
(Also, see COASTAL NAVIGATION and DEAD RECKONING)
CELESTIAL POLES
The points on the Celestial Sphere that coincide with the Terrestial
poles of the earth, the elevated pole being nearest to the observer.
CELESTIAL SPHERE
The imaginary spherical shell of the sky, represented as an infinite
radius, concentric with the Earth, the center of which is a given
observer's position where all Celestial bodies are projected.
CENTERBOARD
A movable Keel-like device, made of steel or fiberglass, that pivots
up and down within the Centerboard Trunk and through the center of
the Hull of the sailboat. When let down into the water, the
Centerboard provides Lateral Resistance, which reduces Leeway.
(Also, see DAGGERBOARD and SWING KEEL)
CENTERBOARD HALYARD
(Centerboard Line)
A Line or Cable used to raise and lower the Centerboard.
CENTERBOARD TRUNK
(Trunk)
The watertight compartment in the center of the Hull within which
the Centerboard is housed.
CENTERLINE
(See FORE-AND-AFT LINE)
CHAFE
(See CHAFING)
CHAFING
(Chafe)
Abrasion and wear due to constant rubbing of Lines, Sails, and other
abrasables Aboard.
[e.g., "Use the Chock to prevent the Line from Chafing on the Deck."]
CHAFING PATROL
(Bosun Duty)
A procedure that must be carried out daily on a sailboat when on
Cruises such as Off Shore sailing for more than two days, or long
Voyages across large bodies of water, especially where salt water
is concerned. The constant Chafing of Sails on the Rigging and Lines
rubbing on the Deck takes its toll in a relatively short period of
time. It is important to maintain a daily vigilance Top Side and
Below Decks to ensure that the Vessel remains Ship Shape.
CHAIN LEADER
A length of chain Fitted between the Anchor and its Rode.
Chain Leader is essential when Anchoring, in that its weight
allows the Rode to have horizontal pull along the Bottom so that
the Flukes can Bite and Hook firmly into the Holding Ground.
Chain Leader reduces Snub by acting as a shock absorber.
(Also see, GROUND TACKLE)
CHAINPLATES
Metal plates bolted or screwed to the Deck or sides of a boat where
Stays are attached.
CHANNEL
A navigable passage of water between two large bodies of water,
usually marked by Channel Markers.
(Also, see STRAIT)
CHANNEL MARKER
A Buoy or sign used to mark a navigable path through a Waterway.
CHART
A map that provides information such as the location of Aids-To-
Navigation (ATONs), water depth, sand bars, hazards, etc.
CHARTER
To hire, lease, or rent a Vessel for Cruising.
CHEEK BLOCK
A Block with only one Cheek, with its flat side permanently attached to a
surface, such as the Deck.
CHEEKS
The sides of a Block within which the Sheave is housed.
CHINE
An angular intersection where the sides and the bottom of a Vessel meet.
(Also, see HARD CHINE and ROUND BOTTOM)
CHINESE JIBE
After an Uncontrolled Jibe, the upper part of the Sail remains on the
original Tack while the Boom and the lower part of the Sail have
swung over to the new Tack.
CHINESE LUG
A Lug-Rigged Vessel with an extended Head so that the Yard
may dip further and expose more Sail above the Mast.
(Also, see JUNK)
CHOCK
A metal fitting attached usually at the edge of a Deck or Wharf
and used as a Fairlead for cables, chains, or Lines for the purpose
of reducing Chafing of the Deck or Pier.
CHOP
Rough and turbulent water with a short and irregular motion of Waves.
(Also, see CONFUSED SEAS and CROSS SEAS)
CHORD
The distance, expressed as a straight line, between the Luff
(Leading Edge) and the Leech (Trailing Edge) on the Windward
side of the Sail.
(Also see DEPTH and DRAFT)
CHRONOMETER
An instrument designed in 1736 specifically to measure accurate time
in all variations of temperature and atmospheric pressure. It was
the instrument used to accurately determine longitude.
CHUTE
Term used to identify the Spinnaker Sail.
CIVIL TIME
(See STANDARD TIME)
CLAM CLEAT
An open faced Cleat having strong sides, a vee-shaped groove in the center,
and small vertical teeth on both sides of the groove to hold the Line. The
Line is Cleated by laying it on the vee-shaped groove, then pulling it
back and down so that the teeth in the groove grip the Line. An upward
snap on the Line quickly releases it from the Clam Cleat.
(Also, see CAM CLEAT, HORN CLEAT, and JAM CLEAT)
CLAW OFF
To Beat to Windward off a Lee Shore in Heavy Weather, especially when
Close-Reefed.
CLAW RING
(See REEFING CLAW)
CLEANING-UP-THE-SPAGHETI
Sailor talk for disentangling lines on Deck and in the Cockpit.
CLEAR
1. Lines that are not entangled or the process of Cleaning-Up-The-Spaghetti.
2. To maintain a safe distance (Berth) away from other boats or objects
in the water.
3. Fair Weather with no clouds, no fog, and excellent visibility. <
CLEAR WIND
Wind that is not Blanketed, deflected because of Wind Shadow, or obstructed
by land.
CLEAT
(See CAM CLEAT, CLAM CLEAT, HORN CLEAT, and JAM CLEAT)
CLEAT HITCH
Overlapping a Line in a figure eight and then Belaying it on a Horn Cleat .
(Also, see CLOVE HITCH and HALF HITCH)
CLEVIS PIN
A metal pin used to attach Fittings to each other or their mounts.
CLEW
The lower Aft corner of a Fore-And-Aft Sail where the Sheets are attached.
CLEWBOARD
A solid brace fastened to the Clew of a Fore-And-Aft Sail, usually
the Jib.
(Also, see HEADBOARD)
CLEW OUTHAUL
(See OUTHAUL)
CLOCKING
A term used to describe the Clockwise change in wind direction.
[e.g., "The Wind is 'Clocking' ESE to SSW.")
CLOSE-ABOARD
(See CLOSE-ALONGSIDE)
CLOSE-ALONGSIDE
When Vessels are very near to one another without Fenders.
CLOSE-HAULED
The Point-Of-Sail to Windward where the Sails are Trimmed flat while sailing
as close to the Wind as possible.
CLOSE QUARTERS
A crowded place, as when there are too many people in the Cockpit.
CLOSE REACH
The Point-Of-Sail between a Beam Reach and Close Hauled.
CLOSE-REEFED
A Sailing Vessel with maximum Reefing and minimum exposed Sail area.
CLOVE-HITCH
A Knot or Hitch for fastening a Mooring Line (usually, the Bow Line)
to a Pier Stanchion, configured of two Half Hitches made in opposite
directions so that the two ends emerge in opposite directions.
(Also, see CLEAT HITCH and HALF HITCH)
CLUB FOOTED
A Jib or Staysail with a Boom.
COAMING
A raised edge around open areas on a Vessel, such as a Cockpit, to
reduce the amount of water entering the boat.
COAST
Where land meets the Sea.
COASTAL NAVIGATION
(Terrestial Navigation)
Navigation within sight of land using landmarks and other fixed
references on the Shore.
(Also, see CELESTIAL NAVIGATION and DEAD RECKONING)
COASTAL ZONE
Coastal Zone depicts the coastal waters and adjacent Shorelines of
the United States. The zone also includes the Great Lakes to the
international boundary between the United States and Canada.
COAST GUARD
[See UNITED STATES COAST GUARD (USCG)]
COASTLINE
(See SHORELINE)
COCK
A valve used to regulate the flow of water or gas.
COCKPIT
On Sailing Dinghies, the area behind the Mast with no Decking, where the
boat is Steered.
COFFEE GRINDER
Term used to describe the standing pedestal with rotating handles, used
on America's Cup Boats by Crew to Grind on the internal Sheet Winch.
COIL
Line that is arranged in rings for Stowing neatly and to reduce Fouling.
(Also, see FLEMISH COILS)
COLD FRONT
Meteorological term used to describe the surface boundary where
advancing cold air is pushing warm air upward. Strong winds and
rain typically accompany a Cold Front.
(Also, see WARM FRONT)
COLLISION
Damaging contact between two or more Vessels.
(Also, see RAM)
COLLISION COURSE
A Course where two Vessels are approaching one another on a Constant
Bearing, such that if the Heading of each Vessel is maintained,
Collision is imminent.
(Also, COLREGS)
COLREGS
(COLlision REGulationS)
The U.S. Coast Guard contraction for the International Regulations for
Preventing Collisions at Sea (IRPCS).
(Also, see INLAND NAVIGATION RULES)
COMBINATION BUOY
A Buoy (ATON) with both light and sound signals.
COMBINATION LIGHT
(See BI-COLOR LIGHT and TRI-COLOR LIGHT)
COME-ABOUT
Steering the sailboat through the Eye-Of-The-Wind to a new Upwind
Heading. (Also, see TACK)
COME-TO-ANCHOR
(See DROP ANCHOR)
COMMAND
A directive (usually from Skipper to Crew) to execute an action or a
series of actions of an immediate and imperative nature, issued
orally or by signals and with authority.
[e.g., “Hoist the Jib upon my Command.”]
(Also, see ORDER)
COMPANIONWAY
The entrance (stair-ladder) at the forward end of the Cockpit
where one enters or exits the Cabin Below.
COMPASS
1. An instrument used for determining direction by means of a freely
rotating magnetized medium or needle pointing to Magnetic North.
2. Often, called Compasses, which is an instrument constructed of two
rigid legs hinged together at the top, the ends at the bottom are
adjustable for measuring distances or drawing circles on a Chart.
COMPASS BEARING
A Magnetic Compass reading not corrected for Deviation or Variation.
(Also, see COMPASS DEVIATION, COMPASS ERROR, COMPASS VARIATION)
COMPASS BOWL
A bowl-shaped housing filled with oil or a mixture of alcohol and distilled
water within which the Compass Card is suspended so it can move freely
about its axis. The Compass Bowl shell is made of Brass or other
material in order to avoid affecting the Compass Needle, thereby
reducing Compass Deviation.
COMPASS CARD
A circular card with magnets attached to its underside, the rim marked
in graduated degrees, clockwise from North at 0° to 360°, and balanced
on a pivot so that it rotates freely to obtain Compass Bearings in
relation to Magnetic North.
(Also, see COMPASS BOWL)
COMPASS COURSE
A Course Set strictly by Compass Bearing.
(Also, see MAGNETIC COURSE)
COMPASS DEVIATION
(Deviation)
The east or west Deflection of the Compass needle from Magnetic North
due to metal objects on board the Vessel. When the needle Deflects to
the right of Magnetic North, the Deviation is easterly and given a
plus (+) value. When the Deflection is to the left of Magnetic North,
the Deviation is westerly and given a minus (-) value. When converting
a Compass Bearing to Magnetic North, easterly Deviation is added and
westerly Deviation is subtracted. Conversely, when converting a
Magnetic Bearing to Magnetic North, easterly Deviation is subtracted
and westerly Deviation is added. Deviation values differ for each
individual compass on board the vessel and each Heading steered.
(Also, see COMPASS VARIATION, MAGNETIC DIRECTION,
and SWINGING SHIP)
COMPASS DEVIATION CARD
A card with two compass roses printed on it concentrically, for
recording, on a given voyage, the amount of Deviation to compensate
when using the ship's compass to steer a Magnetic Course.
COMPASS ERROR
The error of a Magnetic Compass (i.e., the difference between
True North and Compass North) when not corrected for Compass
Deviation and Compass Variation.
COMPASS HEADING
Steering the Compass Course.
COMPASS NEEDLE
Magnetized needle or small steel rod attached to the Compass Card,
which aligns with the Magnetic Meridian.
COMPASS NORTH
The direction indicated by a Magnetic Compass, which differs from
True North by the amount of total Compass Error.
COMPASS PIVOT
The vertical post with a pointed tip, attached to the bottom center of
a Compass Bowl, upon which the Compass Card rotates.
COMPASS ROSE
A circle printed on nautical charts indicating the direction of
Geographic North and sometimes Magnetic North, graduated in
degrees or points, clockwise from 000° to 360°.
[With charts having more than one Compass Rose, use the compass
rose nearest to the object being plotted because the geographic
directions and magnetic variations may change slightly in
different places on the chart.]
COMPASS VARIATION
(Variation)
The degree of Deflection of a Compass Bearing, east or west, from
True North. Variation is designated as east or positive (+) when the
magnetic compass needle is deflected to the right of True North and
west or negative (-) when the Deflection is to the left of True North.
When converting the magnetic compass bearing to True North, easterly
variation is added, and westerly variation is subtracted. Conversely,
when converting True North to Magnetic North, westerly variation is
added and easterly variation is subtracted. Compass Variation values
differ both in place and time, because of the natural movement of the
North Pole.
(Also, see COMPASS DEVIATION, MAGNETIC DIRECTION, and
SWINGING SHIP)
COMPASSES
(See COMPASS #2)
CON
A term indicating one who directs the steering of a ship.
[Not to be confused with one who is Steering or at the Helm.]
CONE
A black Dayshape that represents a cone, displayed Aloft in the forward
Rigging with the tip of the Cone pointing down toward the Deck of a
Sailing Vessel under Auxiliary Power as well as under Sail.
(Also, see STEAMING LIGHT)
CONFUSED SEAS
Choppy Waves that run in different directions as a result of shifting wind.
(Also, see CROSS SEAS)
CONSTANT BEARING
Maintaining a Steady Course.
(Also, see COLLISION COURSE)
CONTROLLED JIBE
Sheeting-In the Mainsail to the Center Line, using the Main Sheet as a
Boom Brake, and slowly moving the Helm over while easing the Sheet out
on the new Tack.
(Also, see PREVENTER and UNCONTROLLED JIBE)
CORDAGE
A general term for Lines as well as fiber and wire Rope, especially with
regard to Running Rigging.
CORIOLIS ACCELERATION
(See CORIOLIS FORCE)
CORIOLIS EFFECT
(Deflecting Force)
The apparent Deflection of air and water at right angles to the
direction of the earth's rotation that forces winds to follow
a curved path across the surface of the earth. Coriolis Effect
appears as a Deflection to the right in the Northern Hemisphere
and a Deflection to the left in the Southern Hemisphere. Coriolis
Effect is a function of Latitude such that Deflection is less
apparent near the equator (0°-10° latitude), and increasingly
apparent in the higher Latitudes approaching the polar regions.
CORIOLIS FORCE
(Coriolis Acceleration)
A fictitious force created by and named after the French civil engineer
Gaspard G. Coriolis, as an attempt to describe the apparent acceleration
of air and water at right angles to the direction of the earth's rotation.
(Also, see CORIOLIS EFFECT)
COTTER PIN
A small metal pin that opens at its end for the purpose of keeping
Turnbuckles from turning or Clevis Pins from falling out, and other
Fittings from changing position.
COURSE
(1) The direction the boat is being Steered or is intended to be Steered.
(2) A path which racing boats are to follow.
COURTESY FLAG
A miniature version of the flag of the country being visited which is
flown from the Starboard Spreader.
COVE
A small sheltered Bay recessed within the Shoreline.
COWL
A scoop-like device used to direct air into a boat.
(Also, see DORADE VENT)
CQR ANCHOR
(Coastal-Quick-Release Anchor)
(See PLOW ANCHOR)
CRADLE
A frame designed to support a Vessel when out of the water.
CRAFT
A term used to describe Vessels under fifty meters.
CRANE
Machinery used to lift things such as Cargo, Life boats, large Vessels
in and out of the water, and other heavy objects.
(Also, see DAVIT)
CRANK
Sailor slang for Winch Handle.
[e.g., "Put the Crank in the Slot of the Port Winch and Haul in the
Jib Sheet two turns."]
(Also, see TENDER)
CREST
The top of a wave.
CREW
People On-Board a Vessel, other than the Skipper, who are qualified
to assist in its operation while Underway.
CREW-OVERBOARD-PROCEDURE
(Man-Overboard-Procedure)
Maneuvering a boat to rescue a person overboard and in the water.
CRINGLE
An eye or Grommet placed at the CLUE, HEAD, TACK, and/or Reefing
positions on a Sail through which Lines are Rove.
(Also, see GROMMET)
CRIPPLED
A term used to describe Wire Rope that is permanently kinked.
CROSSHEAD BOLLARD
A Bollard having two vertical posts connected by a horizontal bar.
(Also, see SAMPSON POST)
CROSSING SITUATION
As defined by the Navigation Rules, a Crossing Situation (i.e.,
a potential for collision) arises when two Sailing Vessels, in
close proximity, are approaching one another from two different
directions, where one Vessel is on a Port Tack while the other is
on a Starboard Tack. In this situation, the boat on the Starboard
Tack is Privileged or the STAND-ON VESSEL, while the boat on the
Port Tack is Burdened or the GIVE-WAY VESSEL. When both Vessels
have the Wind on the same side, the Give-Way Vessel is the boat
to Windward, and must keep out of the way of the boat to Leeward,
which is the Stand-On Vessel.
[NOTE: With regard to Power-Driven-Vessels in a Crossing Situation,
when a power boat approaches another power boat in the danger zone
(i.e., toward Starboard or the Green Sector), the approaching boat
is the Stand-On vessel. The Give-Way vessel (i.e., the boat being
approached) must alter its course to Starboard and pass along the
Port side and Astern of the approaching boat. In any case, a
Power-Driven-Vessel is Give-Way to a Sailing Vessel.]
(Also, see HEAD-ON SITUATION and OVERTAKING SITUATION)
CROSS SEAS
Confused Seas that result when two different Wave Systems collide
with one another from opposite directions.
[e.g. Wind generated waves from one direction collide with a
Swell moving in the opposite direction.]
CROSSTREES
A pair of small Spars placed Athwart the Trestle-Trees at the
Masthead to spread the Shrouds leading to the Mast above, or
on the Head of a lower Mast to support the platform or top.
(Also, see SPREADERS)
CROW'S NEST
A platform for a lookout near the top of a Mast.
[Usually found on Tall Ships.]
CRUISE
(Cruising)
To Sail leisurely.
CRUISER
A Sailboat with a Cabin that is Fitted Out for Cruising.
(Also, see POCKET CRUISER)
CRUISING
(See CRUISE)
CRUISING SPEED
A term used to describe the efficient use of the Auxiliary Engine
when the Vessel is under Power rather then under Sail.
CRUTCH
(See OARLOCK and BOOM CRUTCH)
CUNNINGHAM
A line used to Trim the Luff of the Mainsail.
(Also, see DOWNHAUL)
CURRENT
A horizontal movement of water that is either Tidal or Nontidal.
A Tidal Current is a result of gravitational interactions between
the Sun, Moon, and Earth and part of the same general movement of
the Sea that is manifested in the vertical rise and fall of Tide
water. A Nontidal Current is a result of the configuration of
geographic and meteorological effects not related to the Tidal Cycle.
(Also, see SWELL)
CUT
(Cut And Run, Cut Loose)
1. To release or sever the Anchor Line without Weighing and Set
Sail immediately, as in an emergency.
2. A term used to indicate that Running Rigging has been loosened
and/or released in order to facilitate Hoisting or Reefing sails.
(Also, see MADE)
3. The way a Sail is made to fit a particular Rig.
CUT SPLICE
Two Lines Spliced together with an oval eye in the middle of the Splice.
CUTTER
A Fore-And-Aft Rigged Sailing Vessel with one Mast, Mainsail, Jib,
and Staysail.
CYCLONE
(Low-Pressure Storm)
A large wind-and-pressure system characterized by low pressure at
its center and high circular wind motion at its outer rim, rotating
Clockwise in the Northern Hemisphere and Counter-clockwise in the
Southern Hemisphere. Sailors try to avoid Cyclones because of the
strong winds, heavy rains, low visibility, and large seas usually
associated with Low-Pressure Storms.
CYCLONIC WIND
(Low)
Circular wind motion (Counter-clockwise in the Northern Hemisphere,
Clockwise in the Southern Hemisphere) around a central region of
Low atmospheric pressure.
(Also, see ANTI-CYCLONIC WIND)
