We are assembling a large collection of boating
and sailing terms.
This will be a great resource for all boaters.
To view the page of terms, click on the letter that the term starts with
To submit a term please email
us.
jack
line, jack stay - A
strong line, usually
of flat webbing, or
a wire staystay
running fore and aft
along the sides of a
boat to which a
safety harness can
be attached.
Jacobs
ladder - A
rope ladder.
jam
cleat - A
cleat designed to
hold a lline in
place without
slipping. It
consists of two
narrowing jaws with
teeth in which the
line is placed. Also
see cam cleat.
jaws
- A fitting
holding a boom or
gaff to the mast.
jenny
- A genoa
jib. A large jib
that overlaps the
mast.
jetty
- A man
made structure
projecting from the
shore. May protect a
harbor entrance or
aid in preventing
beach erosion.
jib
netting - A
rope net to catch
the jib when it is
lowered.
jib
stay - The
stay that the jib is
hoisted on. Usually
the headstay.
jib
topsail - A
small jib set high
on the headstay of a
double headsail rig.
jibe
- Also
spelled gybe. To
change direction
when sailing in a
manner such that the
stern of the boat
passes through the
eye of the wind and
the boom changes
sides. Prior to
jibing the boom will
be very far to the
side of the boat.
Careful control of
the boom and
mainsail is required
when jibing in order
to prevent a violent
motion of the boom
when it switches
sides. Jibing
without controlling
the boom properly is
known as an
accidental jibe.
Tacking is preferred
to jibing because
the boom is not
subject to such
violent changes.
Jibing is usually
needed when running
with the wind and
tacking is used when
close hauled.
jiffy
reefing - A
method of lowering
the sail in sections
so that it can be
reefed quickly.
junction
buoy - Also
known as a preferred
channel buoy. A red
and green
horizontally striped
buoybuoy used in the
United States to
mark the separation
of a channel into
two channels. The
preferred channel is
indicated by the
color of the
uppermost stripe.
Red on top indicates
that the preferred
channel is to the
right as you return,
green indicates the
left. Also see can
and nun buoys.
jury
rig - A
temporary repair
using improvised
materials and parts.
