Nautical Dictionary
Nautical Glossary - Maritime Terminology
x-y-z
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
- Xebec
- An old three-masted vessel used in the Mediterranean.
- Y Valve
- Liquid flows through into the valve and flows out through one of two tubes which is selected by changing the angle of a lever.
- Yacht
- A sailboat or powerboat used for pleasure, not a working boat.
- Yankee
- (1) A fore-sail flying above and forward of the jib, usually seen on bowsprit vessels. (2) A foresail used on yachts similar to a genoa, but cut narrower, with its leech not overlapping the mainsail, and a higher clew.
- Yar
- Fit and beautiful (describing a boat)
- Yard
- A spar from which a square sail is hung. A long spar, tapered at the ends, attached at its middle to a mast and running athwartships at right angles to the mast; used to support the top of a square sail. The yard can pivot (be braced) around the mast. At rest (braced square) the yard runs athwartships. Each yard takes its name from the section of mast that supports it, and the sails take their names from the yards.
- Yardarm
- That part of yard that lies between the lift and the outboard end of the yard.
- Yarn
- A tall tale sea story
- Yaw
- Swinging off course, usually in heavy seas. The bow moves toward one side or the other of the intended course.
- Yawl
- A two masted sailboat with the shorter mizzen mast placed aft of the rudder post. A ketch is similar, but the mizzen mast is forward of the rudder post.
- Yawl Boat
- Smaller powered boat used to provide steerage-way when not under sail.
- Yellow Jack
- Slang name for the Q Flag. Also an old term for yellow fever.
- Zebra Mussel
- A small freshwater mollusk that was accidentally introduced to North American waters via ballast water from a transoceanic vessel. The zebra mussel has had significant negative economic and ecological effects: It clogs water intake pipes and attaches to and fouls boat hulls, dock pilings and other objects.
- Zenith
- The point of the celestial sphere which is directly overhead.
- Zenith Angle
- The angle between the zenith and a heavenly body.
- Zephyr
- A gentle breeze; the slightest movement of air.
- Zincs
- Sacrificial anodes placed on a vessel to prevent electrolysis of vital metal parts.
- Zulu
- Used to indicated times measured in Coordinated Universal Time, a successor to Greenwich Mean Time. A time standard that is not affected by time zones or seasons.
Nautical Charter
