Specifications
line to the bottom
ofthe
lowest part
ofthe
boat (e.g., the
propellertip
or
rudder).
2.
Thedepth of water necessary
to float a boat.
DROGUE Any device streamed astern to check a
vessel's speed, or to keep its stern up to the waves in
a following sea.
DYE MARKER - A brightly colored chemical that
spreads when released into water; normally used to
attract attention.
EBB TIDE - A receding tide.
EVEN KEEL
- To be floating evenly without listing to
either side.
EXHAUST SYSTEM - The means by which the hot
engine (or generator) exhaust gases are
moved
from
the engine to an outboard device and then released into
atmosphere.
EYE SPLICE - A permanent loop spliced
in
the end of
a line.
FAST Said of an object that
is
secured to another.
FATHOM - Six feet.
FENDER - A
device (usually constructed of rubber or
plastic) position
so
as
to absorb the impact between
vessels
or
dock.
FETCH - The unobstructed distance that the wind can
blow
over the water to create waves.
FLAR E -
1.
Outboard curve
ofthe
hu
II
as
it
comes up the
side from the waterline; the reverse of tumble home.
2.
A pyrotechnic device used for emergency signaling.
FLAT - A small deck that
is
built below decks, specifi-
cally to support a piece of equipment.
FLEM ISH - To coil down a line or rope on deck
in
a flat,
circular, concentric arrangement. '
FLOTSAM Floating wreckage, trash or debris.
FLUKE - The palm of
an
anchor.
FL YBIRDGE - A steering and speed control station
located above the main cabin or salon.
FOAM CREST - The top of the foaming water that
speeds toward the beach after a
wave has broken,
commonly referred to
as
"white water."
FOLLOWING SEA - A sea (waves) moving
in
the same
direction as a vessel.
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',",
, .. '
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FORE-AND-AFT - A line, or
anyt~e,-that
ruils
--
.
parallel to the longitudinal center line of a boat.
FOREFOOT The portion of a vessel's keel that
cu
rves
upward to meet the stem.
FOREPEAK - A compartment in the bow of a small
boat.
FORWARD Toward the bow.
FRAME - A rib that supports the deck and hull and
provides the vessel transverse strength.
FREEBOAR D -The minimum vertical distance from the
surface of the water to the gunwale.
FREQUENCY - The number of crests passing a fixed
point at a
given
time.
FRONTS - Where opposing warm and cold air masses
meet, generally producing a band of wet, stormy
weather
wherever they meet.
GAFF - A spar that is used to
SUPp(lrt!~e.;b~ad
pt~iL~~
_~_
~
~;.
sail. •
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~;."--
~:",_.:.".,
,\
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~
GALLEY The kitchen area of a boat.
GALVAN I C COR ROS ION - A potential electrical d itfer-
ence exists between dissimilar metals immersed in a
conductive solution (e.g., salt water). If these metals
touch
or
are otherwise electrically connected, this po.
tential difference produces an electron flow between
them. The attack on the less corrosion resistant
meta1
is
usually increase and the attack on the more resistant
metal is decreased, as compared to when these metals
are not touching.
GANGWAY - The area of a ship's side where people
board and disembark
GASKET - A strip of sealing material, usually rubber,
set along the edge of a water or gas tight door, port,
cover or hatch.
GELCOAT - The thin outer layer of pigmented plastic
covering a fiberglass vessel.
GLAND - The movable part of a stuffing box, which,
when tightened, compresses the
packiO~\.
;';',;-."
,._
r
-'
--"""",
GROUND - Electrically this term applies
tO~le~lectrical
potential of the earth's surface, which is zero.
04
OMSB
CARVER