Fair, Fairlead, Fair Tide, Fairway, Fairway Buoy, Fair Weather, Fair Wind,
Fake, Fake Down, Fall, Fall-Off, Fast, Fathom, Feather, Feathering,
Feathering Propeller, Fender, Fendering, Fend Off, Fetch, Fid, Fiddle,
Fiddle Block, Fifty-Fifty, Figure-Eight Knot, Fin Keel, Finishing Line,
Finn, Finger Pier, Finishing Line, Fisherman Anchor, Fisherman's Bend,
Fisherman's Knot, Fitting, Fitting-Out, Fix, Fixed Keel, Flag, Flake,
Flake Down, Flaking, Flat Sail, Flatten, Flatten-In, Flattening Reef,
Flaw, Flemish Coils, Flinders Bar, Flood, Flood Current, Flood Interval,
Flood Strength, Flood Tide, Flotsam, Fluke, Flush Deck, Fly, Flying Bridge,
Fog, Folding Ladder, Folding Propeller, Following Sea, Foot, Foot Block,
Force, Forced Wave, Fore, Fore-And-Aft, Fore-And-Aft Line, Fore-And-Aft Rig,
Fore-And-Aft Sail, Forecast, Forecastle, Foredeck, Foreguy, Forehatch,
Foremast, Forepeak, Forereach, Foresail, Forestay, Foretriangle, Forward,
Forward Quarter Spring Line, Foul, Foul Weather, Foul Bottom, Fouled Line,
Founder, Fractional Rig, Frap, Freeboard, Free Wave, Freeing Ports, Freshen,
Full-And-By, Full Keel, Fullness, Full Out, Full Sail, Fully Battened Sail,
Furl.
FAIR
Nautical term indicating favorable conditions and that which is running
smoothly.
[e.g., Fair Wind is a term used to indicate when the wind is in the
direction that allows a Vessel to reach a desired point without
tacking. Sailing in weather without storms or high winds is
called Fair Weather. A Tidal Current that helps a Vessel
toward a desired point is called a Fair Tide.]
FAIRLEAD
An eyelet Fitting, usually anchored topside, designed to change the
direction of the Lead of a Working Line.
(Also, see TURNING BLOCK)
FAIR TIDE
(See FAIR)
FAIRWAY
The main Channel in a river or estuary.
(Also, see FAIRWAY BUOY)
FAIRWAY BUOY
(Mid-Channel Buoy)
A red and white vertically striped Buoy used in the United States
to mark the middle of a Channel. A Fairway Buoy may be passed
by on either side.
(Also, see CAN BUOY and NUN BUOY)
FAIR WEATHER
(See FAIR)
FAIR WIND
See FAIR)
FAKE
A term used to describe one turn in a coiled lined.
(Also, see FAKE DOWN)
FAKE DOWN
To Coil a line with the Leading or Running end on top of the coiled Line.
FALL
The Hauling or Hoisting part of a Line, after having been Rove through
Blocks and/or Fairleads, or after being Wrapped around a Winch Drum.
Also, the end of a Rope beyond a Knot.
FALL OFF
(Bear Away)
To Steer the Vessel Leeward and away from the Wind.
[e.g., "Fall-Off from Close-Hauled to a Beam Reach."]
(Also, see HEAD-UP)
FAST
Sailor talk for Secure.
[e.g., “Make the Line Fast to the Foredeck Cleat.”)
FATHOM
A Nautical measure of six feet (182 cm) indicating water depth.
FEATHER
Maneuvering the Vessel to maintain Lift by Helm only.
(Also, see ANGLE-OF-ATTACK and FULL AND BY)
FEATHERING
(See FEATHER)
FEATHERING PROPELLER
A term indicating the changing of Pitch or angle of a Sailing Vessel’s
engine propeller blades when not engaged so that the Chords of the
blades are turned to lie Fore-And-Aft with the movement of the
boat while Under Sail in order to reduce Drag.
(Also, see FOLDING PROPELLER)
FEEDER
(See PRE-FEEDER)
FENDER
A pneumatic cylindrical device, usually made of rubber, that is hung
or attached to the side of a Vessel in order to prevent Chafing when
Alongside another boat or Wharf.
(Also, see CATALINA-RACING-STRIPES)
FENDERING
Canvas-covered Rope or rubber edging fastened around the Gunwhale of
small craft used as Tender, used to protect the Hulls of other boats
when Alongside.
FEND OFF
To push or hold the Vessel away from another boat or Dock.
FETCH
1. The distance the wind travels over open water to generate Forced Waves.
2. Sailing to a point without Tacking.
FID
A tapered tool, usually wooden, used to separate strands of large
Rope for Splicing.
(Also, see MARLINESPIKE)
FIDDLE
A small raised rail attached to the edge of tables and counters
Aboard a Vessel, used to prevent objects from sliding off the
surface when the boat is Heeled or tossed about in heavy seas.
FIDDLE BLOCK
(Sister Block)
A Block with two Sheaves, one above the other, the upper Sheave
being larger than the lower.
FIFTY-FIFTY SAILER
(See MOTOR SAILER)
FIGURE-EIGHT KNOT
(Eight Knot)
A Knot tied at the end of a Line in a Figure-Eight, used
to prevent Lines from passing through Blocks, Fairleads,
Grommets, and other Fittings.
(Also, see STOPPER-KNOT)
FILL
To adjust Sail(s) and/or Steer the Vessel so that the Sail(s) Fill
with Wind.
(Also, see FULL SAIL)
FIN KEEL
A finlike projection extending downward from the outside bottom of
the Hull (at various lengths, depending on the style of sailboat),
to provide Ballast and reduce Lateral Motion of the Vessel.
(Also, see CENTERBOARD and DAGGERBOARD)
FINGER PIER
A small Pier that projects from a larger Pier.
FINISHING LINE
The line Sailboats cross at the end of a race that lies between the
Race Committee Boat on the inside and a Buoy on the outside.
(Also, see STARTING LINE)
FINN
A 4.5 meter (14’ 111/2”) Single-Handed racing Dinghy with a
very large Centerboard. Sails better in Heavy Weather.
FISHERMAN ANCHOR
(See TRADITIONAL ANCHOR)
FISHERMAN'S BEND
(Anchor Knot)
A Knot that is used on a Line that is Made Fast to an Anchor Ring or
Anchor Chain Leader by taking a round turn on the ring or chain,
with the first Half-Hitch passing through it, passing the end of
the line around the Standing Part after the second Half-Hitch is
made, and securing the end.
FISHERMAN'S KNOT
A temporary Splice joining two Lines, usually of the same thickness,
by tying an Overhand Knot of one Line around the Standing Part of
the other.
FITTING
Any item of Hardware that is not a permanent part of the boat,
such as Blocks, Cleats, Fairleads, Shackles, etc.
FITTING-OUT
Preparing a Sailboat for Sea, usually after the Vessel has been Dry Docked.
FIX
A point on a Chart indicating the accurate position of a Vessel
when two or more observed Line(s)-Of-Position (LOP)
intersect without reference to assumptions of estimated prior
position. LOPs that make up a Fix should intersect between
60° to 90° angles and as close to a right angle as possible.
(Also, see RUNNING FIX)
FIXED KEEL
(Keel)
The Fore-And-Aft structural component at the outside bottom of the
Hull, usually extending downward to provide Ballast and reduce
Lateral Motion of the Vessel.
(Also, see FIN KEEL)
FLAG
Colored material or bunting that is assembled in various patterns,
stitched at the Hoist to stronger material such as canvas. A Flag
can be either oblong, square, triangular, and/or swallow-tailed.
Flags are used to communicate visually from one Vessel to
another, ship to shore and vice-versa.
(Also, see BURGEE)
FLAKE
To lay Rope out on the Deck in a Figure-Eight pattern.
(Also, see FAKE)
FLAKE DOWN
(Flaking)
A method of layering Sails over each side of the Boom to provide for
an easy Hoist. For example, layering the Mainsail over the Boom with
the Luff Chord flush to the Mast allows for the Luff Chord at the
Head of the Sail to be pre-set in the Mast Slot so that when it
is time to Hoist, the Hoist will be clean and quick. Flaking is
an alternative to Furling or folding Sails.
FLAKING
(See FLAKE DOWN)
FLAT SAIL
A Sail with minimum Camber.
FLATTEN
To reduce Camber in a Sail by adjusting the Running Rigging.
FLATTEN-IN
(See HARDEN-IN)
FLATTENING REEF
(Roach Reef)
(See REEF)
FLAW
(See PUFF)
FLEMISH COILS
Coiling lines into concentric circles on the Deck so that the coils
remain flat, neat, and solid. To "Flemish" the Lines is a sign of
good seamanship because coiling the Lines preserves the life of the
Running Rigging by allowing the Lines to dry evenly and reduce the
tendency to Foul.
FLINDERS BAR
A soft iron bar, usually mounted vertically on the Binnacle beneath
the Compass of a vessel, used for the purpose of compensating for
Magnetic Deviation.
FLOOD
The periodic rise of tide water level during Flood Tide.
(Also, see EBB)
FLOOD CURRENT
A Tidal Current that moves from the Sea into a Bay, Cove, or Estuary.
FLOOD INTERVAL
The interval between the Transit of the Moon over a Local Meridian and the
time of the following Flood Strength.
FLOOD STRENGTH
Phase of the Flood Current at the time of its maximum speed.
FLOOD TIDE
The periodic inflow of the Tide with rising water level.
(Also, see FLOOD CURRENT)
FLOTSAM
Debris floating on the water from a wrecked or sunken ship.
FLUKE
The flat pointed triangular-shaped part of an Anchor that digs into
the bottom to prevent Dragging.
FLUSH DECK
A Deck that is not obstructed by a Cabin.
FLY
The part of a Flag that is farthest from the Hoist.
FLYING BRIDGE
(Flybridge, Tuna Tower)
An upper platform above the main Cabin from which to Steer a boat.
[Also used on Sportfishing boats as a platform to spot game fish.]
FOG
(Advection Fog)
A cloud-like mist consisting of minute water droplets that forms
near the surface of the water, significantly reducing visibility.
FOLDING LADDER
(See STERN LADDER)
FOLDING PROPELLER
A Propeller with blades that fold together in line with the Hull when
water streams past the blades while the Vessel is under Sail and the
engine is disengaged in order to reduce Drag.
FOLLOWING SEA
Waves moving in the same direction at the Stern of the boat.
FOOT
1. The bottom edge of a Sail from Tack to Clew.
2. To Sail a lower course than that for which the sails are Trimmed,
as opposed to PINCH.
FOOT BLOCK
(See TURNING BLOCK)
FORCE
(See BEAUFORT SCALE)
FORE
(Forward)
Toward the Bow of the Vessel.
FORE-AND-AFT
In the direction of the Keel, which is parallel to the Centerline
between Stem and Stern.
FORE-AND-AFT LINE
(Centerline)
The line, Amidships, in the direction of the Keel between Stem and Stern.
FORE-AND-AFT RIG
Sails Set along the Fore-And-Aft Line of the Vessel.
(Also, see SQUARE RIG)
FORE-AND-AFT SAIL
Sail Set along the For-And-Aft Line
(Also, see SLOOP RIG)
FORECAST
To predict, as in predicting the weather.
FORECASTLE
(fo'c's'le or fo'c'sle)
The most forward area of a Vessel Below Decks.
(Also, see FOREPEAK)
FORCED WAVE
A Wave that is propagated by a Generating Force.
(Also, see FETCH, TIDAL WAVE, and TSUNAMI)
FOREDECK
That part of the Deck forward of the Cabin and Mast.
(Also, see AFTERDECK and SIDE DECK)
FOREGUY
A line attached to the outboard end of a Spinnaker Pole for the
purpose of keeping the pole from rising up during a Spinnaker Set.
(Also, see DOWNHAUL and PREVENTER)
FOREHATCH
The Hatch located in the Foredeck.
FOREMAST
The forward Mast of a Vessel with two or more Masts.
FOREPEAK
The furthermost forward storage area of a Vessel.
FOREREACH
Making Headway after Depowering or Luffing the Sails.
(Also, see CARRY WAY and SHOOTING UP)
FORESAIL
A term used to identify a Sail that is Set before the Mainsail Mast.
(Also, see GENOA, HEADSAIL, JIB, SPINNAKER)
FORESTAY
(Headstay)
Standing Rigging (usually wire cable) Led forward from the Masthead to
the Stemhead Fitting, providing Fore-And-Aft support of the Mast.
(Also, see BABYSTAY, BACKSTAY, and SHROUDS)
FORETRIANGLE
The triangle encompassing the Forestay, Mast, and Foredeck.
FORWARD
(Fore)
Toward the Bow of the boat.
FORWARD QUARTER SPRING LINE
A Mooring Line running Forward from the Stern of the boat, used to
prevent the boat from moving backward while Moored.
(Also, see AFTER BOW SPRING LINE)
FOUL
Nautical term used to indicate situations that are not running
smoothly.
FOUL WEATHER
(See HEAVY WEATHER)
FOUL BOTTOM
A reduction of Hull speed resulting from an underwater obstruction.
[e.g., When seaweed gathers on the Rudder, or the Hull is encrusted
with Barnacles.]
(Also, see ANTIFOULING PAINT)
FOULED LINE
Jammed or Snarled Running Rigging.
FOUNDER
A term used to describe a boat filling with water and sinking.
FRACTIONAL RIG
A Sloop Rig where the Forestay is attached only part way up the Mast.
(Also, see MASTHEAD RIG and THREE-QUARTER RIG)
FRAP
To Secure tightly with Line or Rope.
[e.g., "Frap the Halyards away from the Mast when Moored so as to stop
them from banging against the Mast.]
FREEBOARD
The height of the outer surface or sides of the Hull above the
waterline to the Weather Deck at the Gunwales of a Vessel.
(Also, see TOPSIDES)
FREE WAVE
A Wave no longer influenced by its original Generating Force.
(Also, see GRAVITY WAVE and SWELL)
FREEING PORTS
Openings at the bottom of the Bulwarks along the Gunwale and
interspersed from Bow to Stern, allowing for the rapid
drainage of water off the Weather Deck and into the Sea.
(Also, see SCUPPERS)
FRESHEN
(Picking-Up)
An increase of True Wind velocity.
(Also, see BUILD)
FULL-AND-BY
A term used to direct the Helm to keep the sails full while steering
by the direction of the Wind, especially when sailing Close-Hauled.
FULL KEEL
A Keel running the length of the outside bottom of the Hull.
(Also, see FIXED KEEL)
FULLY BATTENED SAIL
Battens installed the full horizontal length of the Sail from Luff
to Leech. One advantage of full Battens is the aerodynamic effect
of maintaining an Airfoil in light air.
FULLNESS
(See CAMBER)
FULL OUT
When Sails and Sheets are Eased out to the maximum.
FULL SAIL
When Sails are Drawing Wind without Lift.
(Also, see FILL)
FURL
To roll a Sail snugly around the Headstay (Jib) or Boom (Mainsail).
(Also, see FLAKE)
