Getting Around a Course Faster Glossary 1

Glossary of terms used in newcomers talk on Sunday 1 May 2016

Burgee/Windex - Flag/pointer showing the direction of the wind, usually at the top of the mast

Bow - The front of a boat

Stern - The back of a boat

Transom - Rear frame of dinghy on which the rudder is attached

Pintles - The fittings attaching the rudder to the boat

Starboard - As you look towards the front the starboard side is on the right.

Port - As you look towards the front the port side is on the left.

Starboard Tack - A dinghy is on starboard tack when the wind is coming over the starboard side of the dinghy and the boom is on the port side

Port Tack - A dinghy is on port tack when the wind is coming over the port side of the dinghy and the boom is on the starboard side

Heading Up - Turning towards the wind

Bearing Away - Turning away from the wind

Tack (tacking) - To change course (head up) from one tack to the other with the wind from in front

Gybe - To change course (bear away) from one tack to the other with the wind from behind

Pinching - To sail too close to the wind so that the sails drive less (can no longer pull)

In Irons (Stalling) - Going into irons is when a dinghy has its bow pointing directly into wind and isn’t moving

Windward Boat - A boat which is adjacent and upwind of another

Leeward Boat - A boat which is adjacent and downwind of another

Main Sheet - Rope (or sheet) used to control the mainsail

Jib Sheets - Rope (or sheet) that controls the set of a headsail or jib

Kicking Strap - Tackle used to prevent the boom rising

Outhaul - Rope used to pull the foot of the mainsail out along the boom

Wind Shifts - A sudden change of wind direction possibly requiring a rapid change of course