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.
kedging
- 1
- To kedge
off. A
method of
pulling a
boat out of
shallow
water when
it has run
aground. A
dinghy is
used to set
an anchor,
then the
boat is
pulled
toward the
anchor.
Those steps
are repeated
until the
boat is in
deep enough
water to
float. 2 - A
traditionally
shaped
anchor
having
flukes
perpendicular
to the stock
of the
anchor and
connected by
a shank.
These are
less common
than modern
anchors such
as the plow
and
lightweight
anchors.
keel
stepped - A
mast that is
stepped
placed - on
the keel at
the bottom
of the boat
rather than
on the deck.
Keel stepped
masts are
considered
sturdier
than deck
stepped
masts.
keel
- A
flat surface
built into
the bottom
of the boat
to prevent
or reduce
the leeway
caused by
the wind
pushing
against the
side of the
boat. A keel
also usually
has some
ballast to
help keep
the boat
upright and
prevent it
from heeling
too much.
There are
several
types of
keels, such
as fin keels
and full
keels.
keelson
- A
beam
attached to
the top of
the floors
to add
strength to
the keel on
a wooden
boat.
ketch
- A
sailboat
with two
masts. The
shorter
mizzen mast
is aft of
the main
mast, but
forward of
the rudder
post. A
similar
vessel, the
yawl, has
the mizzen
mast aft of
the rudder
post.
king
plank - The
center plank
on a wooden
deck.
king
spoke - The
top spoke on
a wheel when
the rudder
is centered.
knocked
down - A
boat that
has rolled
so that she
is lying on
her side or
even rolled
completely
over. A boat
with
appropriate
ballast
should right
herself
after being
knocked
down.
knot
- 1
- A speed of
one nautical
mile per
hour. 2 - A
method of
attaching a
rope or line
to itself,
another line
or a
fitting.
