What is a ship beam?
Beam - A measure of the width of the ship. There are two types: Beam, Overall (BOA), commonly referred to simply as Beam - The overall width of the ship measured at the widest point of the nominal waterline.
What does it mean to be on the beam?
An imperative to leave the vessel immediately, usually in the face of some imminent danger. "On the beam", a relative bearing at right angles to the centerline of the ship's keel. On or in a vessel. Close aboard means near a ship. A portable flight of steps down a ship's side. Senior naval officer of Flag rank.
What does on her beam ends mean on a ship?
The sides of a ship. "On her beam ends" may mean the vessel is literally on her side and possibly about to capsize; more often, the phrase means the vessel is listing 45 degrees or more. Turn away from the wind, often with reference to a transit.
What is the rear part of a ship called?
The rear part of a ship. The right side of the ship when you are facing toward her prow (opposite of port). See also port. An upright beam at the stern bearing the rudder. The lower forward corner of a fore-and-aft sail.
What is a beam on a sailboat?
Beam: The width of the boat, measured at its widest point. Generally, the larger the beam, the more stable the boat. Bilge: A compartment at the lowest point of a boat's hull . Draft:The distance between the waterline and the keel of a boat; the minimum depth of water in which a boat will float.
Where is the beam on a sailboat?
The beam of your boat is the width at the widest part of the boat. To measure the beam, stand inside the boat and run a measuring tape from the port (left) side to the starboard (right) side at the widest section of your boat.
What part of the boat is the beam?
Definition of A Boat's Beam A boat's beam is the widest part of a boat. The term 'beam' originated from the structure of wooden boats used in the past.
What is the beam end of a ship?
the ends of the transverse deck beams of a ship. Idioms: 1. on her beam-ends, (of a ship) heeled so far on one side that the deck is practically vertical.
What are the parts of a boat called?
Every boat operator should know the following terms and definitions.Bow : Front of a boat.Stern : Rear of a boat.Starboard : Right side of a boat.Port : Left side of a boat.Hull : Body of a boat.Gunwale : Upper edge of boat's side (generally pronounced gunnel)Cleat : Metal fitting on which a rope can be fastened.More items...
What are the 4 sides of a ship called?
When looking forward, toward the bow of a ship, port and starboard refer to the left and right sides, respectively. In the early days of boating, before ships had rudders on their centerlines, boats were controlled using a steering oar.
What is the helm of a boat?
Helm – A tiller or wheel and any associated equipment for steering a ship or boat.
How many types of beams are there?
Learn: Types of beam: in strength of material, Cantilever beam, Simply supported beams, Overhanging beam, Fixed beams,and Continuous beam.
What is center beam on a boat?
Large wooden beams formed the ribcage-like support structure on which builders fixed the hull. The center beam was usually the longest and thickest of the lot. Builders used the length of this beam to determine the width of the ship as it was the widest point, requiring the most substantial beam.
What is the keel of a ship?
keel, in shipbuilding, the main structural member and backbone of a ship or boat, running longitudinally along the centre of the bottom of the hull from stem to stern.
Is beam the width of a ship?
The beam of a ship is its width at its widest point.
What are the 5 basic parts of every sailboat?
Basic Parts of a SailboatHull. The hull is the 'boat' itself. ... Keel. The keel is the structural backbone of the boat. ... Centerboard. Many sailboats don't have a long, deep keel, but they still need some sort of fin to keep the boat tracking straight. ... Mast. ... Rudder. ... Sail. ... Boom. ... Cleats.More items...•
What are the parts of a sail boat called?
The basic sailing boat is composed of at least twelve different parts: the hull, the keel, the rudder, the mast, the mainsail, the boom, the kicking strap (boom vang), the topping lift, the jib, the spinnaker, the genoa, the backstay, and the forestay. In this article, we will go in-depth about each part.
Is beam the width of a boat?
In simple terms, when measuring a ship at the widest point on the waterline that is known as, “Waterline Beam” whereas above, “Beam” is the widest part of the vessel.
What holds the boom up on a sailboat?
topping liftsPart of the running rigging, topping lifts are primarily used to hold a boom up when the sail is lowered. This line would run from near the free end of the boom(s) forward to the top of the mast. The line may be run over a block at the top of the mast and down to the deck to allow it to be adjusted.
What is a beam on centerline?
Definitions. Beam - A measure of the width of the ship. There are two types: Beam, Overall (BOA), commonly referred to simply as Beam - The overall width of the ship measured at the widest point of the nominal waterline. Beam on Centerline (BOC) - Used for multihull vessels. The BOC for vessels is measured as follows: For a catamaran: ...
What is the BOC of a catamaran?
The BOC for vessels is measured as follows: For a catamaran: the perpendicular distance from the centerline of one hull to the centerline of the other hull, measured at deck level. For a trimaran: the perpendicular distance between the centerline of the main hull and the centerline of either ama, measured at deck level.
What is tonnage in shipping?
Tonnage - a number derived from any of several methods to calculate the volume or other number indicative of a ship's cargo carrying capacity.
What is LWD in shipbuilding?
Lightweight displacement - LWD - The weight or mass of the ship excluding cargo, fuel, ballast, stores, passengers, and crew, but with water in the boilers to steaming level.
What does LOA mean in a ship?
Length Overall (LOA) - The maximum length of the ship between the ship's extreme points important for berthing purposes.
What is displacement in shipping?
Displacement - A measurement of the weight or mass of the vessel, at a given draught.
What is the cube of a ship?
For warships, the number of people assigned to a ship in peacetime may be considerably less than her full complement. Cube - The cargo carrying capacity of a ship, measured in cubic metres or feet. There are two common types: Bale Cube (or Bale Capacity )- The space available for cargo measured in cubic metres or feet to the inside ...
What does it mean when a sail is steered far enough to windward?
When a sailing vessel is steered far enough to windward that the sail is no longer completely filled with wind (the luff of the sail is usually where this first becomes evident). Loosening a sheet so far past optimal trim that the sail is no longer completely filled with wind.
What is the mainsheet on a sailboat?
Mainsheet. Sail control line that allows the most obvious effect on mainsail trim. Primarily used to control the angle of the boom, and thereby the mainsail, this control can also increase or decrease downward tension on the boom while sailing upwind, significantly affecting sail shape.
Why do ships cut lashings?
When wanting to make a quick escape, a ship might cut lashings to sails or cables for anchors, causing damage to the rigging, or losing an anchor, but shortening the time needed to make ready by bypassing the proper procedures.
Why are officers berthed behind masts?
This was because the midships area where the officers were berthed is more stable, being closer to the center of gravity, and thus more comfortable.
What does "avoid" mean in a vessel?
An imperative to leave the vessel immediately, usually in the face of some imminent danger.
What does "on deck" mean?
On or above the deck, in plain view, not hiding anything.
Why is there a black shape on the forepart of a ship?
Black shape hoisted in forepart of a ship to show that ship is anchored in a fairway.
What is the sailing term for wind?
Another sailing term for wind is “In Irons.” This sailing phrase is heard when the boat’s bow is headed in the wind’s direction, disabling the boat to maneuver.
What is the name of the side of a sailboat?
Aft – the back of a sailboat. Bow – the front of a sailboat. Port – the left-hand side of a sailboat. Starboard – the right-hand side of a sailboat. Leeward – the direction where the wind is blowing towards. There are many other sailing terms. We’ll list 59 sailing terms below, including basic nautical sailing terms and funny sailing terms.
What is a jibing boat?
18. Jibing. Jibing is one of those sailing terms for wind that you’ll encounter. This refers to a basic sailing maneuver wherein the boater turns the stern through the wind, changing the wind from one side of the boat to the other. When you perform a jibe or a tack, the boat’s boom will shift from one side to the other.
What does "handsomely" mean on a boat?
The gunwale refers to the upper edge of the hull. 15. Handsomely. When a boater asks you to haul on a line handsomely, it means to pull a line in a slow and even motion carefully. As one of those funny sailing terms, handsomely doesn’t have anything to do with boaters’ appearance. 16.
How many degrees does it take to sail?
This term pertains to sail from approximately 60 degrees to roughly 160 degrees off the wind. There are three different types of reaching: Close Reaching, Beam Reaching, and Broad Reaching.
How many sailing terms are there?
Below are 59 sailing terms that you should know to become a better sailor, in alphabetical order:
Why is it important to know sailing terms?
It’s important to know common sailing terms so that you can communicate effectively with other boaters, especially during an emergency. Knowing many sailing terms will also make you a better sailor.
What is the main arm of a sail?
The main arm across the mast which holds up the sail. The yardarm is a vulnerable target in combat, and is also a favorite place from which to hang prisoners or enemies. Black Bart hung the governor of Martinique from his yardarm.
What is the transom of a ship?
The position of a vessel relative to the trim of its sails. The act of repositioning a sail in order to change which side the wind catches it. transom. Any of several transverse beams affixed to the sternpost of a wooden ship and forming part of the stern.
What is the water inside the bilge called?
Water inside the bilge, sometimes referred to as "bilge" itself. bittacle (or bitacola, later “binnacle”) A box on the deck of a ship holding the ship’s compass. boom. A horizontal pole along the bottom edge of a mast to which the mast is fastened. See also boom about.
What side of the ship is facing the prow?
The right side of the ship when you are facing toward her prow (opposite of port).
What is a bowsprit?
bow. The front of a ship. bowsprit. The slanted spar at a ship's prow jutting out in front of the ship.
What is a scupper?
scuttle. A small opening or hatch with a movable lid in the deck or hull of a ship. To sink by means of a hole in a ships hull.
What is the gunwale on a boat?
The elevated side edges of a boat which strengthen its structure and act as a railing around the gun deck. In warships the gunwale has openings where heavy arms or guns are positioned.
