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U Ultra 30 .... A high performance racing dinghy usually sailed with a crew of nine. Underway .... Said of a vessel when it is moving through the water. Uniform .... The letter U in the phonetic alphabet. Phonetic Alphabet. Universal joint .... A fitting that is used to connect two objects that allows movement in all directions. Uphaul .... A line used to raise a spar, spinnaker etc. Up helm .... To pull the tiller to the windward. Upwind .... To windward, in the direction of the wind. V Vang .... A system used to prevent a boom rising when the sail is set. Also called a kicking strap. Variation .... The difference measured in degrees by which the magnetic north varies from the true north. Variation varies from one position on the earths surface to another, and changes constantly with time. Verdarro .... A cold northerly wind in the Aegean Sea. Veer .... The wind is said to veer when it changes direction in a clockwise direction; e.g. a change from south to south west. Vendeval .... A strong Westerly wind blowing into the Mediterranean from the Straits of Gibraltar. Victor .... The letter V in the phonetic alphabet. Phonetic Alphabet. Viking .... The name given to a sea area situated between the Fair Isles and Norway. W Wake course .... The course that is actually travelled by the vessel. Warp .... A heavy rope used for towing or mooring. Washboard .... A board that is used to close off the companionway. Water track .... The course taken through the water allowing for the effects of tidal stream and leeway in order to a follow the required course over the ground or ground track. Way .... The movement of a vessel through the water. Wayfarer .... A general purpose sailing dinghy. Waypoint .... A chosen charted feature or position, a number of which are used to plan a route. Weather .... The side from which the wind is coming, or to go past on obstacle or vessel on the windward side. Weather helm .... When a vessel has a natural tendency to turn into the wind. Weather shore .... A coastline with the wind blowing from the land.. Wheel-house .... A shelter to protect the helmsman. Weigh anchor .... Take up the anchor. Wet suit .... Clothing. A suit made of neoprene, which traps a thin layer of water, that quickly warms up, in between the skin and the suit. Whip .... To bind the end of a rope to stop it fraying. Whisker pole .... A small boom used for winging out the jib. Whiskey .... The letter W in the phonetic alphabet. Phonetic Alphabet. Wide berth .... To keep well clear of another vessel. Wight .... The name given to a sea area situated between the South coast of England and France. Winch .... A devise that gives a mechanical advantage when pulling in sheets or halyards. Wind indicator .... A device that is attached to the top of the mast, that indicates the direction of the wind, similar in appearance to a wind vane, Windlass .... An anchor winch, a devise used to give a mechanical advantage when raising an anchor. Wind over tide .... When the wind and tide are moving in opposite directions. Wind-rode .... Said of a vessel when it faces into the wind on a mooring or at anchor. Wind shadow .... The area affected by the turbulent air from a vessels sails. Windward .... Toward the wind. Wing and wing .... When the mainsail is set on the opposite side to the jib when running or sailing before the wind.. Working end .... That part of a rope in which a knot is being tied. X Xebec .... A Mediterranean vessel originally used by corsairs. A three masted vessel usually lateen-rigged, but could on occasions have a combination of square and lateen rigging. X-ray .... The letter X in the phonetic alphabet. Phonetic Alphabet. Y Yankee .... The letter Y in the phonetic alphabet. Phonetic Alphabet. Yard .... A spar suspended across a mast, to support a sail. Yard-arm .... The outer extremity of a yard. Yaw .... Said of a vessel when it swings from side to side. Yawl .... A two masted vessel with the mizzen mast stepped far aft. Yawl .... A ships boat usually with four or six oars. Yawl .... A small fishing boat. Z Zephyr wind .... A gentle wind created by warm air over the land rising causing cooler air to drift in off the water. Zulu .... The letter Z in the phonetic alphabet. Phonetic Alphabet. |