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Glossary |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| |
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made A verbal report that a piece of gear is cleated, shackled, or otherwise made fast or secured. See make. made good, make good A boat's actual speed or course relative to geography, taking into account all factors including the speed and course as shown on the boat's speedometer and compass, the current, waves, and leeway. Th speed and course made good are shown on the GPS or Loran-C. The speed made good (SMG, speed over the bottom, speed over the ground, SOG, VMG, velocity made good) is the boat's actual speed. The course made good (CMG, course over the ground, COG, course over the bottom) is the actual course. Compare with boat speed and course. See track. magnetic direction A compass direction based on the earth's magnetic field rather than on geography (as with true direction). The direction shown on a magnetic compass. Shown on the compass rose on most charts. Compare with true direction. main 1) Abbreviation for mainsail. 2) Principal or most important. For example, the main cabin is the largest cabin, the mainsail usually is the largest sail, and the mainmast is the tallest mast. In the early days of exploration and empire in the sixteenth century, the South American coast east of Panama was called the Spanish Main because it was dominated by Spaniards. 3) A broad expanse. The bounding main is all the oceans and seas. mainsail, main Pronounced "main-sul". The sail set behind the mainmast. The mainsheet is its sheet. make 1) See fetch. 2) To make land on another boat is to sail faster than her; the land appears to be moving behind her. 3) To make sail is to set or hoist the sails. 4) To make colors is to raise the ensign. 5) To make fast is to connect one object to another securely, for example to shackle a halyard to a sail. See "made". man overboard See crew overboard. manual Operated by hand rather than electricity or automatically, for example manual bilge pump. Marconi rig See rig. marina A place in a harbor where many boats are secured to floats and piers. marine Describes anything specified for use concerning boats or around salt water. For example, marine fastenings are screws or bolts made of especially corrosion-resistant materials, and the marine industry consists of businesses that build or sell boats and their gear. mariner Anybody who goes out on the water, usually for commerce but sometimes for pleasure. marine sanitation device, MSD A toilet and sewage system that satisfies environmental laws. Waste usually goes into a holding tank that is emptied at pump-out stations ashore or on barges. mark, channel marker, marker, turning mark 1) A buoy or other object that must be passed on a prescribed side so the boat stays in a channel or on a race course. 2) "Mark" is a verbal report by the steerer or helmsman that the boat is on course. marlin tower See tuna tower. marline Pronounced "marlin". Tarred light line. marlinespike, fid Pointed spikes several inches long, used to splice line, open jammed knots, etc. A marlinespike, often found on a rigging knife, is made of steel, while a fid is wooden or steel. Marlinespike seamanship comprises the arts of working with and repairing rope, lines, and their fittings. mast A vertical spar in a sailboat on which sails are set. Mast bend is the direction and amount of bend in a mast; see bend. The mast boot is a rubber seal around the mast at the partners (at deck level) that prevents water from dripping below. The mast step is the support for the mast's bottom (heel). The masthead is the top of the mast. The masthead fly (apparent wind indicator) is a wind-direction indicator on top of the mast. In a masthead rig the jib halyard is at the masthead, unlike the fractional rig; see rig. Masthead tricolor light, see navigation lights. Mast hoops are wooden rings used to secure the mainsail to the mast in many gaff rigs. mate In a boat's crew, the captain's chief assistant. The first mate is the number-one assistant, the second mate is next in authority, and so on. They may be watch captains; see watch. maxi boat, maxi An offshore racing boat of the maximum allowable size and rating. |
mayday Prefix to a radio transmission reporting that the caller is in distress. From the French m'aidez--Help me. Compare with pan-pan and securite'. mean high water, MHW, mean low water, MLW The average height of high or low tide. The mean high-water mark is the line of weed, erosion, or changing color on the shore or a piling at mean high water. See tide. measurement system A rating rule. Med moor, Med style A method for docking in which the boat is anchored near a wharf and then tied up to it stern-to. First introduced in harbors in the Mediterranean Sea. megayacht, superyacht An extremely large, luxurious powerboat or sailboat. messenger A light line used to haul a heavier line or wire rope through a spar or block. midships Amidships. millibar, mb A unit of atmospheric pressure as shown on a barometer; 1016 mb is equivalent to 30 inches of mercury. minute 1/60 of a degree. On most charts 1 minute of latitude (shown at the side) equals 1 nautical mile. mizzen, jigger The aftermost sail on a ketch or yawl. It is set on the mizzenmast. A mizzen staysail is a light sail set forward of the mizzenmast. MLW, mean low water See tide. moderate wind (air, breeze) Wind of 9 to 15 knots. modified-V See V-bottomed. mold A recess the shape of the boat, in which fiberglass is laid during construction. mole A breakwater or other man-made arm constructed of rock that protects a harbor. MOM, Man Overboard Module A patented device for rescuing somebody from the water using inflatable equipment. mokey's fist A large knot at the end of a heaving line to provide weight. Monaco Windshield Taylor Made stainless steel and aluminum windshields with verticals inside top trim for a clean look. monohull A boat with one hull. Compare with multihull. mooring A permanently set anchor or heavy weight with a strong rode connected to a buoy that is picked up by a boat. A boat on a mooring is moored. motion The boat's pitching, rolling, and heeling. A boat with an easy motion is comfortable. motor Engine, power. A motorboat (powerboat) is a boat propelled only by an engine. A motorsailer is an auxiliary sailboat with an especially large engine and relatively small sails. A motoryacht is a large powerboat. mouse, mousing To pass light line across the open part of a hook to secure another object. The result is a mousing. mud hole See gunkhole. multihull A boat with two hulls (catamaran, pontoon boat) or three hulls (trimaran). Compare with monohull. Mylar A strong synthetic film sometimes laminated to Dacron to make sails. |
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