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safety at sea

The branch of seamanship especially concerned with saving lives and dealing with emergencies.

safety harness

A harness worn by a boater and attached to the boat or a jackline with a webbed tether to keep the boater on board.

Safety of Life at Sea Conference, SOLAS

An international organization, a part of the International Maritime Organization, that establishes standards for maritime safety.

sag

Move or slide to leeward. When a boat sags off to leeward she slides. The headstay sags when the jib is full.

sail

As a verb, a sailboat sails, her crew goes sailing. When a boat sails around her anchor (mooring), she swings around the anchor rode or morring with the wind, sometimes violently, even though her sails are not set. Her mast and hull catch the wind.

As a noun, a sailboat's means of propulsion. Pronounced as spelled when used alone, pronounced "sul" when attached to other words, like mainsail, staysail, topsail. The sail plan is the design of the rig and sails in a profile view. The sail area (S.A.) is the area of the sails in square feet or square meters; a 500-square-foot sail has an area of 500 square feet. Sailcloth is the fabric used to make sails. A sailmaker is a professional manufacturer of sails working in a sail loft.

Sail handling is the art of managing sails. To set a sail (set sail) or hoist a sail is to pull it up. To trim a sail is to adjust the sail's shape. To douse a sail is to lower it or roll it up on a roller furler. To furl a sail is to fold and secure it on a boom using a sail stop (sail, tie, gasket).

The sail inventory (suit of sails) consists of all the sails on board. They include working sails, the mainsail and a jib used in normal conditions, plus some or all of the following:

Light sails are the spinnaker and other lightweight sails set on a run or reach.

Riding sails are small sails set on sail- and powerboats to limit rolling.

Storm sails, set in heavy weather, are a very small mainsail and jib (storm trysail and storm jib).

A topsail is a sail set above another sail.

A staysail is a small sail set inside or below another sail. See staysail.

Sail controls are lines used to trim the sail and adjust its shape, including the halyard, sheet, traveler, Cunningham, and downhaul. Sail shape is the draft and appearance as created by the sail.-maker and adjusted by the sail trimmers in the crew. A sail slide or sail hank (sail slug) is a metal or plastic device that secures a sail to a mast or stay. When sails are not in use they are stowed in sail bags or under sail covers.

See jib and spinnaker.

sail-area/displacement ratio, S.A./D ratio

A number that indicates how much driving force a sailboat has relative to her weight. The higher the number, the greater the driving force.

sailboard, board, Windsurfer

A sailboat about 12 feet long and sailed by a standing person who holds up the mast and sail. One type is the Windsurfer. To sail a sailboard is to go boardsailing or windsurfing. A sailor on a sailboard is a boardsailor.

sailer/sailor

A word ending "er" refers to a boat, for example motorsailer, while sailor (ending "or") refers to a person who uses a sailboat.

saloon

On larger boats the cabin used for entertaining and eating. Sometimes "salon".

salvage

To save a boat after she has been abandoned by her crew. The term also refers to the objects saved.

samson post

See bitt.

sandwich construction

See fiberglass.

Santa Ana

A strong easterly wind that blows offshore from Southern California's desert.

SAR

See search-and-rescue mission.

satellite navigation, satnav

See Global Positioning System (GPS).

sausage

A long, tubular sail bag in which the sail is rolled up or flaked.

scale

See chart.

scantlings

The materials and other specifications for a vessel's construction.

schooner

See rig.

scoop, air scoop

The cowl in a ventilator.

scope

1) The angle of the anchor rode to the water's bottom as indicated by the ratio between, on one hand, a) the length of rode paid out and, on the other hand, b) the water's depth plus the freeboard. For example when the crew on a boat whose freeboard is 5 feet pays out 105 feet of rode while anchoring in a depth of 20 feet, there is 5:1 scope. To let out scope is to let out more rode, thereby increasing scope. 2) Radar scope, see radar.

scow

1) A fast, flat-bottomed, blunt-bowed racing sailboat popular on small lakes. Most have leeboards. 2) Around salt waer, a derogatory term for a slow, bulky boat like a garbage scow.

screw

Propeller.

scud

1) To run before the wind in heavy weather. See run. 2) The broken clouds often seen during a storm. Scuddy weather is stormy.

scull

To propel a boat with a single oar worked over the stern or by swinging the rudder back and forth.

scupper

A drain in the deck, gunwale, or cockpit.

scuttle

To deliberately sink a vessel by driving or opening holes in her bottom.

sea

1) Deep water well away from land. To be offshore is to be at sea or on the high seas. Sea stories are tales told about boats and the sea. 2) The sea (sea condition) is the general condition of the surrounding water, while seas are individual waves and swells. In a head sea the waves are from ahead, in a following sea from behind.

sea anchor

A device used to limit drifting far from shore. Often used when riding out storms, it is a parachute deployed off the bow at the end of a line to keep the bow pointed into the waves. Sometimes "storm anchor". See storm. Compare with drogue.

seabag

A cylindrical fabric bag for carrying clothes and gear.

seaboard

The shore.

seaboots

Waterproof boots with nonskid soles.

sea breeze, lake breeze, onshore wind

Wind blowing from the water toward the shore.

sea bucket

A bucket, traditionally made of canvas, used to scoop water while the boat is moving.

seacock

A bronze or plastic valve that closes and opens a through-hull to allow water to enter or exhaust. Ball-valve seacocks shut and open using movable balls, gate-valve seacocks use sliding gates.

sea condition

The relative roughness of the water.

seafarer

A person at home in a boat at sea.

seagoing

Describes a boat or person capable of going to sea.

seakindly

Describes a boat comfortable in heavy weather. See forgiving.

seaman, seawoman

An especially knowledgeable sailor.

seamanship

The art and science of handling a boat competently and safely in all conditions. A task performed capably is done in a seamanlike manner.

search-and-rescue mission, SAR

An official search for a distressed vessel.

sea room, room to maneuver, room

The space needed by a boat to avoid a collision or another danger.

seas

Waves. Short seas, see chop.

seasickness, mal de mer

Motion sickness in a boat.

sea trials

A test run in a boat.

Seattle sling

See Lifesling.

seawall

A wharf or other waterfront area supported by bulkheads or braces.

seaway

An area of relatively steep waves from different directions.

seaworthy

Able to survive rough weather. Describes a boat with a sturdy hull, strong rig, and excellent stability.

section

A drawing showing the shape of a boat as though she were sliced open.

sector

The arc in which a lighthouse's light is visible. A danger (red) sector is a portion of the light showing red to warn navigators away from shoals or land.

secure

To hold in place, make fast, tie down. Something that is secured will not budge.

securite'

Pronounced "saycuritay". A French word said over a radiotelephone to warn other boats of danger. Compare with mayday and pan-pan.

sedan cruiser, convertible cruiser

A power cruiser 25 feet or longer with a fly bridge and accommodations in a cabin projecting above the rail. Compare with express cruiser.

seiche

Current on a lake.

seize

To bind together using light line.

Select Windshield System

Taylor Made designed and engineered to be a cost effective, alternative windshield framing system.

selective availability, S.A.

The intentional degradation of a GPS signal by the U.S. Department of Defense for purposes of national security. The indicated positions are slightly inaccurate on commercial instruments.

self-bailing, self-draining

Describes a boat, cockpit, or locker that automatically drains water.

self-righting

See right.

self-steerer

A devices that steers the boat automatically. There are two types. The automatic pilot (autopilot) is an electrical device that steers a set compass course. A windvane steers the boat at a constant angle to the wind.

self-tacking

Describes a sail that changes tacks automatically, without effort by the crew.

self-tailing winch, self-tailer

See winch.

semidisplacement hull

See displacement hull.

semidiurnal

Twice daily. Once daily is diurnal.

sentinel

See anchor.

separate rudder

A rudder not attached to the keel.

serious

Dedicated, flat-out. A serious cruising boat is usually well prepared for long-distance cruising.

serve

To wrap light line around a wire splice to protect against corrosion and chafe.

set, to set

1) The set is the direction in which current pulls a boat. Compare with drift. 2) To set a sail is to hoist and trim it. A sail's set is its shape. 3) Set the anchor, see anchor.

settee

A bench in a cabin. A settee berth can be converted into a berth.

720 rule, 360 rule

See turns.

sextant, yoke

the celestial navigation tool used to measure the angle to the sun or planets. The process is a sextant shot.

shackle

A metal fitting that secures objects to each other. It is opened and closed using a clevis pin. A screwshackle uses a threaded clevis pin (screw pin). A snapshackle uses a quicker acting spring-loaded pin.

shakedown

A familiarization run or cruise in a boat in order to "shake" all the problems out of her.

shake out

See reef.

sharpen up, sharpen your wind

See Head up.

sharpie

A relatively narrow V- or flat-bottomed centerboard sailboat, sometimes with a cat-ketch rig.

she

See boat names.

shear pin

A light pin in a propeller system that breaks when the propeller hits an object. The failure of the pin saves the propeller from damage.

sheave

Pronounced "shiv". See block.

sheer

1) The line of the curve of the rail from bow to stern. Springy sheer and sweet sheer are especially attractive, reverse sheer is convex and slightly humped, flat (straight) sheer has no curvature, and split sheer has two lines or angles either side of a break in the rail. The sheerline is the rail itself. 2) To swing or swerve, for example when at anchor in gusty wind. Sometimes, sheer about. 3) See wind sheer.

sheet

The line used to adjust a sail's shape and angle to the wind. It is identified by its sail, for example jibsheet, mainsheet. To sheet (sheet in) is to trim a sheet. To sheet a sail home is trim until the sail is set properly. Sheet stopper, see lock-off.

shelter

Protection from wind and waves. Sheltered water or a sheltered harbor is largely surrounded by land. Compare with open water.

shift

A change in wind or current direction. A shifty wind is changing direction constantly. A velocity wind shift is a change in true wind speed that, because it affects apparent wind speed, allows a boat to head up or forces her to head off. See favor and wind.

ship

1) The largest type of vessel. Compare with boat. 2) To put something where it belongs. To ship the oars is to put them away.

shipmate

A fellow crewmember.

ship's clock

A clock that tells time with hands and also audibly with a system of bells or chimes on a four-hour cycle corresponding to the four-hour watch. "One bell" is 12:30, 4:30, or 8:30; "two bells" is 1, 5 or 9; and so on every half hour to "eight bells" at 4, 8, or 12.

ship's gear

Equipment carried or used by the vessel or her crew as a whole, for example a life raft for the entire crew. Compare with personal gear, which includes a PFD (personal flotation device) for an individual.

shipshape

In good condition, See Bristol fashion.

ship's papers

A vessel's official documents.

shoal(s)

1) An especially shallow area of water. 2) A shoal-draft boat has shallow draft.

shock cord

Bungee cord, elastic rope.

shoe, lead shoe

A quantity of metal (usually lead) that is fastened to the bottom of the keel in order to lower the boat's ballast and thereby improve stability.

shoot

1) To make progress toward a buoy, dock, or other object under momentum after the engine has been taken out of gear or the sails have been doused or luffed. The boat carries her way. 2) In celestial navigation, to take a sextant sight.

shore

1) The land, coast, or seaboard. On shore is on the shore or land. To go from a boat onto the land is to go ashore. Shore power is electricity used on board but supplied through an extension cord led to a plug ashore. 2) To shore up is to provide support.

short-ended

Having short overhangs, with the bow and stern projecting only slightly. Compare with long-ended.

shorten sail, shorten down

To reduce sail area by reefing or setting smaller sails.

short-handed

With a smaller crew than usual.

shroud

A sidestay. See stay.

shutter, storm shutter

See storm.

shy

Not quite dead ahead. To be just shy of course or of laying the mark is to be forced by wind or other reasons to steer to one side of the destination. Sailing shy is to sail on a close reach. A shy kite is a spinnaker used on a close reach.

side lights

Port and starboard navigation lights.

sight reduction tables

Published or computerized data used to make calculations in celestial navigation. See navigate.

silverware

Prizes, tophies.

simplified racing rules

See racing rules.

single-lever engine control

The gear shift and throttle combined in one lever.

singlehanded

With a crew of one.

single-sideband radio, SSB

See radiotelephone.

sister ships

Vessels built to the same design.

sit out

British term for hike.

six-pack

See certificate.

skeg

In a boat's underbody, a fin running fore and aft just ahead of the rudder. It provides directional stability.

ski boat

A boat designed for waterskiing, with an attachment point for the ski rope and a seat for a lookout.

skiff

A small open boat.

skinny

Describes a luffing sail. Compare with fat.

skipper

The captain or person in charge of a boat's crew while she is under way. A skipper's meeting is a meeting for competitors before a race.

skylight

A hatch admitting light below.

slack

Loose, without pressure. To slacken a sheet is to cast it off. Slack tide (slack water), see tide.

slalom ski

A water ski designed for making hard, fast turns.

slam dunk

In sailboat racing, a tactic whereby a boat on starboard tack closely crosses the bow of another boat on port tack, then tacks and covers the second boat in a way that leaves her no escape.

slant

A wind shift. A favorable slant is a shift that works to the boat's advantage by lifting her. See lift.

slat

1) To roll or flap about in a calm. 2) See washboard.

sled

A ULDB, ultra-light-displacement boat.

sleek

A vague term suggesting "handsome" that landlubbers often fall upon when searching for a word to describe a boat.

sleigh ride

A fast, exciting boat ride. Originally Nantucket sleigh ride, describing the towing of a whaleboat by a harpooned whale.

slicker

Foul-weather gear.

sling

A strap used to lift an object or person. See boatswain and Lifesling.

slip

1) A vessel's berth between two piers or floats, for example in a marina. 2) Propeller slip, see propeller.


back to top

slip the anchor rode

Let the anchor rode run out so the boat can get away quickly in an emergency, for example in a rising storm or to avoid a collision. The rode usually will be buoyed so it doesn't sink.

slop

A confused sea. Sloppy conditions (sloppy seas) are especially uncomfortable. See chop.

slot

The gap between overlapping sails. The slot effect is the (much-disputed) beneficial effect that the forward sail may have on the after one.

slotted headstay, slotted mast

A grooved headstay or mast.

slug, sail slug

A bullet-shaped plastic or metal object sewn to the luff of a sail and fed into a grooved mast or headstay.

small-craft advisory

A warning of potentially dangerous weather made by the National Weather Service, the Coast Guard, and other agencies. "Small craft" includes pleasure boats, yachts, tugs, barges with low freeboard, and other vessels with limited power.

small stuff

Very light line.

SMG, speed made good

See made good.

snap

Describes a securing device that is easily opened and shut, for example snaphank, snaphook, snapshackle.

sniffer

Bilge sniffer.

snore along

Sail easily and comfortably on a reach.

snorkel

A breathing tube extending above the water to provide air for a swimmer whose nose and mouth are submerged.

snorter

A heavy wind or gale.

snotter

A sail control that flattens a wishbone-rigged sail by adjusting the wishbone's position.

snub

To take some of the strain off a line, for example by wrapping it around a cleat, winch, or other large fitting.

soft

1) Describes a sail that is luffing. Compare with hard. 2) A soft spot is a lull.

solar panel

A device that converts solar rays into electricity.

SOLAS

See Safety of Life at Sea Conference.

sole

The floor of the cabin or cockpit.

solid water

The main body of a wave, as distinct from its spray.

sound, soundings

To measure either the depth of water under the boat using a depthsounder or lead line, or the amount of fuel or fresh water in a tank using a rod (sounding stick, dipstick). Soundings are depth measurements. On soundings is an area of water relatively near shore and shallow enough to be sounded, generally inside the 100-fathom line. Off soundings is far offshore, beyond the 100-fathom line. See fathom.

sound signal, whistle signal, horn signal

The sound made by a whistle or horn. Under the Navigation Rules, there are specific sounds that a boat makes with her horn or whistle to indicate her intended or ongoing maneuver. In a two-whistle maneuver, the boat turns so she leaves (passes) another boat on the latter's starboard side. In a one-whistle maneuver, she leaves the other boat on her port side. A rudder-action signal is a whistle or horn signal made at the time a turn is started. An intent-agreement signal signals one boat's intentions and the other boat's acknowledgment.

sou'wester

1) A fresh wind from the southwest. In some areas it is a smoky sou'wester because of the fog produced by the dampness it brings from the sea. 2) A waterproof hat with a large apron on the back to keep water off the neck.

spar

A pole supporting a sail or rigging. Spars on a boat include the boom, outrigger, mast, gaff, spinnaker pole, and sprits. A spar buoy is a buoy with a tall pole.

Spectra

Brand name for a polyethylene fiber.

speed

A boat's or the wind's velocity. The speed/length ratio (S/L ratio) is the ratio between the boat's maximum speed and the square root of her waterline length. Hull speed, the theoretical maximum speed of a displacement hull (nonplaning hull), is determined by multiplying the square root of her waterline length by 1.34. See hull. Speed made good, SMG; see made good. A speedometer (knotmeter) is an instrument that measures and displays boat speed.

spindrift

Spray blown from waves by a very strong wind.

spinnaker, parachute spinnaker, chute, kite, spi

A billowing nylon sail set forward of the headstay when running or reaching. There are two kinds:

The parachute spinnaker has two leeches of equal length and is set on a spinnaker pole thrust forward from and to windward of the mast. It has two sheets. The one leading through the pole is the spinnaker afterguy (spinnaker guy); the one on the other side is the spinnaker sheet.

The asymmetrical spinnaker has one edge longer than the other. It is set without a spinnaker pole. The tack is secured, either near the bow or bowsprit or to a sprit projecting from the bow. The clew has a sheet leading aft. When set it looks somewhat like a jib. On cruising boats it may be called a cruising spinnaker.

Some spinnakers are designed and built for unique purposes. A reaching spinnaker (shy kite) is cut more flat than a running spinnaker. An unusually small spinnaker set in strong wind is called a chicken chute.

A spinnaker net is a web of line hung in the foretriangle to prevent the spinnaker from wrapping around the headstay. A spinnaker staysail (cheater) may be set under the spinnaker to catch wind.

spitfire

British term for storm jib.

splice

To join two wires or lines, or to put an eye in a wire or line, by interweaving strands.

split pin

See cotter pin.

split tacks

To take a tack different from a competitor's.

spoke

A handle on a steering wheel. The king spoke is the one that is vertical when the rudder is exactly centered under the boat.

sponson

See cathedral hull and tunnel hull.

spoon bow

A wide, shallow bow.

sportboat

An especially lively, fast sailboat or powerboat no longer than about 25 feet.

sportfishing

Fishing for swordfish, tuna, and other large gamefish offshore. A sportfisherman is a fast power boat equipped with a tuna tower, fishing rods, a fishing chair, and other fishing equipment.

spray

Flying water. Light spray is like a fine rain. Heavy spray may severely obstruct visibility and the crew's activity on deck. See spindrift. Spray chine, see chine.

spreader, crosstree

A strut on the side of the mast that holds out a shroud, thereby increasing its leverage on the mast in order to limit side bend. A backswept (swept back) spreader is angled aft to provide fore-and-aft support for the mast. A spreader boot is a rubber cap on the end of a spreader that protects sails from chafe. See stay.

springline, spring

A docking line led forward or aft from the boat to the float or wharf to stop the boat from moving back and forth. Springs are laid out in pairs. The forward spring leads forward from the after part of the boat, the after spring leads aft from her forward part.

sprit

A spar. When used on a mainsail or jib it is at an acute angle to the mast. See rig and wishbone boom. Some sprits are temporary bowsprits that extend forward of the bow to hold the tack of an asymmetrical spinnaker. Unlike a spinnaker pole, it is not raised on the mast. A sprit boat is a boat rigged this way.

squall

A sudden local period of bad weather. A wind squall has more wind than rain, a rain squall more than wind. A line squall advances along a weather front. A black squall has unusually dark clouds, while a white squall wildly stirs up spray and rain.

square

1) Direct, see dead. 2) Square rig, see rig and tall ship.

squeeze

To pinch.

squirrely

Describes a boat that yaws or swings around so wildly that she cannot easily be steered on course.

SSB

See radiotelephone.

stability

Technically, a boat's tendency to return to her normal position, but usually refers to her resistance to heeling, capsize, rolling, and yawing. Initial stability (provided mostly by a wide beam) resists heeling and rolling at low angles of heel. Ultimate (latent) stability (provided by ballast) is resistance to capsize. A boat's range of positive stability (stability range) includes all the angles of heel at which she resists capsize. Once she heels beyond the upper limit of the range, she is likely to lose all stability and capsize. Directional stability (provided by a long keel and a skeg) is resistance to yawing, or steering off course.

staff

See flagstaff.

stainless

Stainless steel.

Stainless Steel Welded Windows

Taylor Made windshields beautifully handcrafted with seamless welds and highly polished, unequaled in appearance and protection from the elements.

stall

Separation of water or air flow from an appendage or sail, making the appendage or sail inefficient. Compare with attached flow.

stanchion

See lifeline.

stand by

Verbal alert to be prepared. "Stand by" to jibe warns of an imminent jibe.

standing part

See line.

standing rigging

See rigging.

stand on

Hold course. Under the Navigation Rules (rules of the road), the stand-on vessel (also right-of-way vessel, formerly privileged vessel) is the one permitted to stay on her course in order to avoid a collision with another vessel. Compare with give way.

starboard

Pronounced "star-bid". The right-hand side of the boat when the crew is facing the bow. When a sailboat is on the starboard tack, the wind is coming over the starboard side. Compare with port.

start

1) To start sheets is to ease the sheets in a sailboat when heading off on a reach. 2) The beginning of a race. The starting sequence is the series of audible and/or visual signals that indicate the start of a race.

stateroom

An unusually large sleeping cabin.

station

Location. The navigator's station is where the navigator works, the steering station where the steering wheel and instruments are located. The maximum beam station is the point along the hull of the boat's maximum width.

stay, shroud

A length of wire (wire rigging), steel rod (rod rigging), or other low-stretch material that supports a mast and adjusts its bend.

Some stays run forward to support the mast against falling aft. Some of these also hold up sails: the headstay (jibstay), which runs from the bow to the top or near the top of the mast, and the forestay (inner forestay) (not found on all sailboats), which runs from the deck partway between the mast and bow and inside the headstay. The babystay runs just forward of the mast to control its lower sections; it does not carry a sail. Jumper stays run aloft up the forward side of the mast over jumper struts.

Backstays run aft from the mast to the stern or the after quarter to keep the mast from falling forward. The permanent backstay (backstay) is permanently installed and runs from the stern to the top of the mast; a split backstay is arranged on a bridle to make room for the tiller. A backstay adjustor is a block and tackle or hydraulic system that adjusts the backstay's tension. Running backstays (runners) go partway up the mast on the starboard and port sides and may be adjusted and disconnected at the deck.

The other type of stay is the shroud (sidestay), which provides sidways support for the mast. Shrouds run from the side decks up the side of a mast. Many run over spreaders. Lower shrouds (lowers) connect below the lower spreaders, intermediate shrouds (intermediates) higher up, and upper shrouds (uppers, cap shrouds) connect to the mast at or near its top. Discontinuous shrouds terminate at spreaders rather than bend over them. Diamond shrouds (diamonds) also run along the side, both ends terminating on the mast. Shroud rollers are tubes placed over shrouds to let sheets and sails slide by easily.

staysail

Pronounced "stay-sul". A small sail, often set inside or below another sail. A forestaysail is a small jib set on the forestay. A spinnaker staysail (cheater) is a lightweight small jib set under a spinnaker. A mizzen staysail is a lightweight sail set on a yawl's or ketch's mizzenmast when reaching or running.

steadying sails, riding sails

Small sails set on powerboats and sailboats to limit rolling in waves.

steaming light, bow light

See navigation lights.

steer

To aim a boat. When using a reference point, for example a star or a compass, one steers by it. Steering is done with the helm, which is either a tiller or a steering wheel. The helm is at a steering station, which may be outdoors in the cockpit or fly bridge or inside in a pilothouse. Steering cables are wires connecting the steering wheel to the rudder.

steerageway

See way.

steerer, helmsman, helm

The person steering a boat; sometimes a helmsman. The steerer's (helmsman's) seat is seat behind or near the steering wheel.

stem

The bow's forwardmost edge or tip. The stem (anchor) roller is a roller for the anchor rode. Stem to stern is the length of a boat; to search stem to stern is to inspect the entire boat.

step

To install a mast in a boat, with its bottom (the heel or butt) inserted in the mast step. A keel-stepped mast has its mast step on the boat's bottom, a deck-stepped mast has its mast step on deck.

steps

A series of ridges on the bottom of a powerboat that help her plane.

stern

The back (after) end of a boat, including the after underbody, the counter, the afterdeck, and the transom. If cut off flat across in a transom it is a transom stern, if pointed it is a canoe stern and the boat is a double-ender. To moor or anchor stern-to is to put the stern nearest the wharf or drop the anchor over the stern. Stern drive, see inboard/outboard drive. Stern light, see navigation lights.

sternway

A boat's backward motion. Compare with headway.

stiff

Strong. A stiff boat has good stability. A stiff breeze is a strong wind.

stock

The vertical post in a rudder or anchor.

stock boat, stock design, production boat

A boat or design that is often reproduced. Compare with custom boat.

stop

1) To tie thread (stopping twine) or loop rubber bands around a sail before hoisting so it does not fill prematurely. 2) A sail stop; see sail.

stopper

A lock-off.

storage

A boat's location when she is not being used in the off season. Dry storage is on land and indoors, wet storage is in a berth in the water.

stores, ship's stores

Supplies.

storm

Wind of 48 knots or greater. Storm sails (see sail) are the storm jib and the storm trysail, which takes the place of the mainsail but is set without the boom. A storm shutter is a board fastened over a window or port to block waves. Storm anchor, see anchor. Storm tactics are decisions made about courses or rigs to ride out storms, gales, and heavy weather. They include heaving-to, lying ahull, setting storm sails, running with a storm, scudding, and deploying a drogue or sea anchor. Storm alert (storm watch, storm warning), see wather alert.

stow, store

To put away an object where it belongs. Stowage is a locker, bin, or other location in which to stow objects.

straight up and down

Report when weighing anchor that the rode is vertical and the bow is over the anchor.

strake

A strip of wood, fiberglass, or metal on the outside of the hull. On the topsides, rubbing strakes rub against wharves or other boats to prevent the sides from being scratched. On the bottom, running (lifting) strakes limit rolling and push spray to the side.

stream

To pay out a line over the stern.

strike

To lower quickly. To strike colors is to lower the ensign at sunset.

stinger

A structural support for the hull running fore and aft in the bilge.

stripped out

Having very minimal accommodations.

strobe light, strobe

An especially bright, intense blinking light installed on some aids to navigation and also used to attract attention in emergencies. A masthead strobe is at the top of the mast and is illuminated to draw another crew's attention when a collision threatens. A personal strobe is a small emergency strobe light carried by an individual in case she or he falls overboard.

strong wind

Wind of 22 to 27 knots.

structural

Important to the boat's strength. A structural member is a frame, stringer, beam, keel, or other part of the boat that contributes to her strength.

stuffing box, packing gland

A fitting at the through-hull for the rudder stock or propeller shaft that provides lubrication and minimizes leaking.

suction area

The area immediately aft of a large moving vessel where the wash pulls objects toward the vessel.

suitcase, valise

See life raft.

suit the sails

The sail inventory.

sump

A cavity in the bilge for collecting water. It has its own pump, the sump pump.

sunbridge

See express cruiser.

superstructure

The hull, cockpit, deck, bridge, and other major components of a boat outside the rig.

superyacht

See megayacht.

surf

To ride down the face of a wave.

surfacing drive, surface-piercing drive

See propeller.

surge

1) The motion of a wave or water. Storm surge is the unusual rise of water caused by a strong onshore wind. 2) To move back and forth, for example at anchor or when docked as the anchor rode or docking lines stretch.

survey

To examine a boat closely for structural weakness. The job (a survey) is done by a professional surveyor.

survival conditions

Weather so dangerous that the boat may sink or be severely damaged.

survival suit

An especially heavy, buoyant dry suit that keeps a wearer both warm and afloat in the water for extended periods. Compare with dry suit and wet suit.

swage

To squeeze a terminal fitting onto a wire under very high pressure in order to connec them. The result is a swaging. For example, to connect a stay to a turnbuckle, a terminal fitting is swaged onto the stay, and one end of the fitting is secured in the turnbuckle's jaws. Compare with nicopress.

swallow-tailed

Describes a flag with a V-shaped back edge.

swamp

To fill with water due to capsize or waves.

sweating

Water condensation on the inside of the hull and deck.

swell

Long, regular waves. Compare with groundswell.

swim platform, swim ladder

A platform on the transom near the water, or a ladder rigged temporarily on the boat's side.

swing

For a boat to move about at mooring or anchor. Swinging room (swinging radius) is the open area needed around the anchor so the boat does not collide with other boats as the wind and current shift. Sail around the mooring (anchor), see sail.

swing table, gimbaled table

A table with gimbals, which keep it level as the boat heels or rolls.

swivel

A fitting on a block or shackle that allows it to rotate fully.