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oar

See rowboat.

obstruction

An object in or near the water requiring a boat to make a major course alteration to pass to one side.

ocean race, offshore race, long-distance race, distance race

A sailboat or powerboat race on the ocean or a large lake and/or lasting longer than a day. The sport is called ocean (offshore) racing, and the participants are ocean (offshore) racers. Compare with around the buoys.

off

Away from. To steer off course is to steer the wrong course. Off the bow is to one side or another of directly ahead. To sail off the wind is to sail on a run, with the wind astern. To head off is to change course downwind. Compare with on.

offshore

Away from shore and toward deep water. An offshore boat is designed for ocean use. An offshore wind blows from the land over water.

oilcan

See pant.

oilskins, oilers

Foul-weather gear.

Old Man

An affectionate nickname for the captain or skipper.

on

Directly. To steer on course is to steer on the correct course. An object on the bow is ahead or slightly to one side, on the beam (abeam) is alongside, on the quarter is between on the beam and astern, and on the stern is astern or slightly to one side. To sail on the wind is to sail close-hauled, with sails trimmed tight. Compare with off.

on board, aboard

In or on a boat.

one-design

A boat built to the same design as other boats.

on the run

Letting go a line quickly and completely.

open boat

A boat with very little (if any) deck.

open water

Out in an ocean, broad lake, or other large body of water where there is no land to provide protection from wind and waves. Compare with shelter.

operator's license

A state license to operate a pleasure boat. Compare with certificate.

outboard

Outside a boat's rail. an outboard engine (outboard) is hung on the rail or transom, and is mounted on an outboard bracket. Compare with inboard.


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outdrive

See inboard/outboard drive.

outfit

To equip a boat.

outhaul

The line that adjusts the position of the clew and the tension of the foot of a sail on a boom.

outrigger

A spar projecting from a vessel's side to support a small boat, a sail, fishing gear, or a flopper-stopper.

overboard

In the water outside the boat. See crew overboard.

overcanvassed

With too much sail set.

overhang

The distance that the bow and stern extend beyond the waterline. The forward overhang is at the bow, the after overhang at the stern.

overhaul

1) To overtake another boat. 2) To inspect or prepare gear.

overlapped, overlapping

A sail or boat partially alongside another. The overlap is the distance that they are alongside.

overnight

To go on a brief one- or two-day cruise. An overnighter is a boat with a cuddy or small cabin and skimpy accommodations. Compare with cruise and weekend.

overpowered, overcanvassed

Out of control due to too much engine power, or sails that are too large.

override

A tangle between turns of a line on a winch.

overrigged

With a mast and other rigging that are too large or heavy. Compare with underrigged.

overstand

To fetch a buoy or destination with room to spare.

overtake

To catch from astern.

over the bottom, over the ground

See made good.

overtrim

To trim too far.

owner's flag

See private signal.