Sailing Lingo

Anchor - a device designed to bring up mud samples from the bottom at inopportune or  unexpected times. 

Anchor Light - a small light used to discharge the battery before daylight. 

Berth - a little addition to the crew. 

Boom - sometimes the result of a surprise jibe. 

Bottom Paint - what you get when the cockpit seats are freshly painted. 

Chart - a type of map which tells you exactly where you are aground. 

Clew - an indication from the skipper as to what he might do next. 

Companionway - a double berth. 

Dead Reckoning - a course leading directly to a reef. 

Deadrise - getting up to check the anchor at 0300. 

Deviation - any departure from the Captain’s orders. 

Dinghy - the sound of the ship’s bell. 

Displacement - when you dock your boat and can’t find it later. 

Estimated Position - a place you have marked on the chart where you are sure you are not. 

First Mate - crew member necessary for skippers to practice shouting instructions to. 

Foul Wind - breeze produced by flying turkey.

 

Freeboard - food and liquor supplied by the owner. 

Headway - what you are making if you can’t get the toilet to work. 

Heave-Ho - what you do when you’ve eaten too much Ho. 

Jibe - either you like it or you don’t and it gets you. 

Keel - term used by 1st mate after too much heel by skipper. 

Landlubber - anyone on board who wishes he were not. 

Latitude - the number of degrees off course allowed a guest. 

Mast - religious ritual used before setting sail.

 

Mizzen - an object you can’t find. 

Ram - an intricate docking maneuver sometimes used by experienced skippers. 

Rhumb Line - two or more crew members waiting for a drink. 

Sheet - cool, damp, salty night covering.

Shroud - equipment used in connection with a wake. 

Starboard - special board used by skippers for navigation(usually with "Port" on the opposite  side.) 

Swell - a wave that’s just great.

"No Jackets Required"

Square Rigger - a rigger over 30. 

"Just get me to the ice !"