Nautical Dictionary

Aboard…A piece of wood you can use to repair your vessel.
Adrift....A method of moving across the water when nothing on your vessel works. You normally don’t have a lot of input as to where you are going, but you normally get there.
Anchor…A mechanical device that is supposed to keep the vessel in one place. These devices are sometimes used to submerge expensive anchors and chain, when used without proper termination at the ends of the anchor line.
Astern…A type of look you get from the wife when you buy new items for your vessel.
Bilge…A storage area in the bottom of the vessel for all the things you have dropped and could not find. Also a mixing area for water, fuel and heads output.
Bilge Pump…An electrical device designed to remove the charge from your batteries. These devices only operate when the vessel is not taking on water.
Bow…What you do in front of your bank manager when asking for funds to spend on your boat.
Bridge…A device for removing masts of sailing vessels.
Capsize…The size you need to know when shopping for a new hat.
Deck… What the wife will do to you when she finds out how much money you have spent on your boat.
Dock…A medical professional.
GPS…An electrical device that allows you to navigate out of sight of landmarks before the batteries die.
Hatch…An opening similar to a mousetrap that will drop on your head or hand without warning. Or, an opening to allow water into the vessel.
Head…The part of your body that sits on your neck. Useful for storing items like hats and sunglasses.
Hull…A well known port in NE England.
Hull fitting…Another way of describing a leak.
Keel…A stopping device for your vessel. It works by contacting the bottom of the body of water, thus inhibiting forward motion.
Keys…Important item used for engine starting, often found in the water below your vessel.
Leeway…What you hope the wife will give you when buying expensive items for your vessel.
Log…Another device for stopping your vessel.
Overboard…A term used for the final resting place of expensive items.
Pay out…What you must do when something unexpected happens to your vessel.
PFD…The Personal Flotation Device is a multi-function device often used as a cushion or packing material. The coastguard requires one for each person on board to ensure they have something soft to sit on.
Port… A favourite drink for sailors.
Propeller…The propeller is a duel purpose item used to propel your vessel and to catch stray anchor and fishing lines before they can harm wildlife. After a period of time propellers do not have the same number of blades they started life with.
Rudder…Used to steer the vessel and designed to come off when meeting rocky obstructions.
Rock…Something that removes rudders from vessels. The vessel has a greater tendency to do this when too much port is consumed by the crew.
Stern…The flat, back end of a vessel intended as a place to paint the name of your vessel.
Wake…A ceremony to participate in when you do not practice safety at sea.