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.
variation
-
Magnetic
variation.
The
difference
between
magnetic
north
and
true
north,
measured
as
an
angle.
Magnetic
variation
is
different
in
different
locations,
so
the
nearest
compass
rose
to
each
location
on
a
chart
must
be
used.
vector
-
A
line
drawn
to
indicate
both
the
direction
and
magnitude
of
a
force,
such
as
leeway
or
a
current.
veer
-
A
shifting
of
the
wind
direction,
opposite
of
backing.
Clockwise
in
the
northern
hemisphere,
counter-clockwise
in
the
southern
hemisphere.
velocity
made
good
-
Also
VMG.
Actual
boat
speed
after
adjusting
for
such
factors
as
current
and
lleeway.
vertical
clearance
-
The
distance
between
the
water
level
at
chart
datum
and
an
overhead
obstacle
such
as
a
bridge
or
power
line.
VHF
-
1
-
Very
High
Frequency
radio
waves.
2
-
A
radio
that
transmits
in
the
VHF
range.
VHF
radios
are
the
most
common
communications
radio
carried
on
boats,
but
their
range
is
limited
to
line
of
sight
between
the
transmitting
and
receiving
stations.
Also
seesingle
sideband.
visual
fix
-
A
fix
taken
by
visually
observing
the
location
of
known
landmarks.
