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jackline

A safety line or wire running along the deck, cabin, or cockpit to which the crew hooks safety harness tethers.

jackstay

1) Babystay. 2) British term for jackline.

jaws

The sides of a U-shaped opening in a fitting, such as a shackle, intended to be secured to another object, such as a padeye. The jaws are fitted over the object, then closed and secured to it with a clevis pin. Jaws are also found in toggles, in the ends of turnbuckles, and in the gaff in a gaff sailboat rig.

jet boat

A boat with a jet-drive engine that provides propulsion not through a propeller but by pushing water. Jet Ski, see personal watercraft.

jetty

Breakwater.

jib, headsail

Sometimes foresail. Jib rhymes with "bib". A sail set between the forwardmost mast and the headstay. All jibs are trimmed using a jibsheet, a line that passes through a block on deck (jib lead).

Many sailboats have several jibs of different sizes, shapes, and purposes.

Some jibs in a sail inventory are identified by their size relative to the foretriangle. A 100 percent jib (sometimes working jib) fills the foretriangle, as does a blade jib (blade). Jibs identified as larger than 100 percent extend aft of the mast, for example 130 percent, 150 percent. Because they overlap the mast they are called overlapping jibs (lappers). Often jibs are called by their relative size, with the largest the number 1 jib and the smallest usually the number 4 jib.

A genoa jib (genoa, genny) is a large overlapping jib.

Some jibs are known by their function, for example reaching jib, storm jib (spitfire).

A jib boom is a boom for a jib. A forestaysail (staysail) is set partway between the mast and headstay on the forestay (inner headstay). A jib topsail (jib top) is set high on the headstay.


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jibe, gybe

Rhymes with "tribe". "Jibe" is used in America, "gybe" in other parts of the world. To change tacks by heading off until the sails swing across the boat. In a flying jibe the sails bang across dangerously; this may cause a goosewing jibe, where the boom or a batten hangs up on stay. "Jibe-ho" is the command for a jibe.

jib-headed rig

See rig.

jibstay, headstay

See stay.

jig

A small block and tackle.

jigger

See mizzen, jigger.

jockey pole

See reaching strut.

jog, jog along

To move along slowly and comfortably.

judge, jury

See racing rules.

jumper strut, jumpers

A short rod extending forward from the mast. The jumper stay leads over it and gives fore-and-aft support to the upper mast. See stay.

junior program

A boating instruction course for children.

jury rig

An expedient repair, or to make such a repair.