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Boom

A spar extending horizontally from a yachts' mast, which carries and controls the bottom of the mainsail.

Gybe

A jibe (US) or gybe (Britain) is a sailing maneuver whereby a sailing vessel reaching downwind turns its stern through the wind, such that the wind direction changes from one side of the boat to the other.

Halyard

A rope used to raise and lower the sails.

Helm

The steering position or wheel of a yacht or powerboat.

ITCZ

The Inter Tropical Convergence Zone, or ITCZ, is a belt of low pressure which circles the Earth generally near the equator where the trade winds of the Northern and Southern Hemispheres come together. It is characterised by convective activity which generates often vigorous thunderstorms over large areas.

Jib

Refers to the foresail of a sailing yacht. Usually a triangular staysail of a smaller size than a Genoa (a larger style of foresail).

Jibe

A jibe (US) or gybe (Britain) is a sailing maneuver whereby a sailing vessel reaching downwind turns its stern through the wind, such that the wind direction changes from one side of the boat to the other.

Pulpit

The fenced-off area near the bow (front), and usually made of stainless steel in modern boats.

Pushpit

The fenced-off area near the stern (back), and usually made of stainless steel in modern boats.

Sheet

Rope used for hoisting and controlling sails. Very strong and has very little natural stretch, to prevent sails becoming untrimmed.    Not to be used for tying boats alongside.

Tack

Tacking or coming about is a sailing maneuver by which a sailing vessel whose desired course is into the wind, not possible to do on a sailing vessel, turns its bow into the wind so that the direction from which the wind blows changes from one side to the other, allowing progress in the desired direction.

The Tack on which a sailing vessel is on is normally defined by which side of the yacht the apparent wind hits first (the opposite side on which the boom is being carried). This is very important in determining which vessel is the give-way vessel.

Warp

Rope used for tying a boat alongside a dock or berth.    It is hardwearing and normally has a small amount of natural stretch, to act as a shock absorber.    Normally made up of multiple distint strands.

Windlass

An electrically-powered winch used for raising and lowering an anchor, usually near the bow of the boat.

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