The Bosunīs Mate Glossary of Terms
The Bosunīs Mate dictionary of Nautical Terms has been compiled from many sources and is constantly being augmented and revised in our attempt to capture as much of the rich yet complicated (and often conflicting) maritime termonology as possible.
You will find an extensive list of information about all sorts of nautical items from sailorīs knots to the sailors themselves, and from ships to the weather patterns of the seas they ply.
Random terms, by category
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Abbreviations and Acronyms
(41 terms)
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The things sailors do
(8 terms)
Hike
To lean out over the side of a smaller sailing vessel to balance it against the force of the wind. In some vessels an apparatus is rigged to assist in leaning our further called a trapeze.
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Why say back when you can say aft instead!
(20 terms)
Athwartships
At right angles to the fore-and-aft Line of the Boat; rowboat seats are generally positioned Athwartships.
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Common sayings and expressions from maritime lore
(149 terms)
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The foods of the sea
(2 terms)
Sea-pie
A favorite dish for the crew of tall ships. It could consist of almost anything, but the propper dish consisted of layers of meat, vegetables, and fish alternating with crusts of bread and/or broken biscuit - affectionately referred to as a Two or Three decker based on the number of layers.
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Various knots both functional and ornamental from the nautical to the ornamental and with both historic and present day value.
(12 terms)
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Bits and bobs from life aboard ship
(5 terms)
Skylarking
Playing by climbing around in the Rigging. Especially when done as high as possible.
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Specific sailing maneuvers
(33 terms)
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The points of sail and seamanship
(76 terms)
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The parts of ships
(131 terms)
Gunwale
1. The upper sheer strake of a boatīs side to bind the top-work.
2. A plank the covers the heads of the ships timbers or ribs. |
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Important people and/or their positions in nautical history
(14 terms)
Landlubbers
In the plural Landlubber usually referred to the general populous on shore. Landlubber itself was a derogatory term whereas in the plural it becomes more general and less of a "put-down"
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Key locations of the maritime world
(20 terms)
Channel
1. That part of a body of water deep enough for Navigation through an area otherwise not suitable. It is usually marked by a single or double Line of buoys and sometimes by range markers.
2. The deepest part of a stream, bay, or strait. 3. A cut or groove in a piece of wood or metal 4. A VHF radio feqeuency or set of radio frequencies preselected for communications. |
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Rigging components and terms
(104 terms)
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Sails, their parts and materials
(30 terms)
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Types of vessels and some famous examples
(22 terms)
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The various spars used aboard ship
(6 terms)
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The tools of the trade
(27 terms)
Daybeacon
A fixed structure (Navigation aid) on shore or in shallow waters upon which is placed one or more daymarks.
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terms awaiting clasification
(36 terms)
none found |
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Meteorology and its relationship to sailing
(7 terms)
Fronts
Used in meteorology to describe bounderies between hot and cold air masses. This is typically where bad weather is found.
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