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ULDB, ultra light-displacement boat, sled

An extremely lightweight sailboat that is especially fast when sailing before the wind. Popular in California, where many races are downwind.

Ultra Stainless

Taylor Made handcrafted with 316L stainless steel and polished to #8 mirror finish, custom designed to meet boatbuilders specifications.

under

A boat's situation. A boat that is under way is moving, under tow is being pulled, under sail is sailing, under full sail is sailing with all possible sails set, under power is being propelled by her engine, and under bare poles has no sails hoisted.

underbody, canoe body

The area of the hull that lies below the water.

undercanvassed, underpowered

Having sails or an engine that are too small for best performance. Compare with overcanvassed and overpowered.

underrigged

With a mast and other rigging that are too small or light. Compare with overrigged.

unidirectional

Describes a fiberglass material or sailcloth yarn that is especially strong in one direction so it resists stretch along that line.


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Uniform State Waterway Marking System, USWMS

The buoyage system for many small lakes and rivers. It uses elements of both the cardinal and lateral systems.

United States Coast Guard, USCG/U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, USCGA

See Coast Guard.

United States Offshore Racing Association

The organization that governs offshore powerboat racing.

United States Sailing Association, U.S. Sailing, USSA

The organization governing sailboat racing in the United States. Formerly the United States Yacht Racing Union (USYRU) and the North American Yacht Racing Union (NAYRU).

upwind

To windward.

U.V., ultraviolet rays

The sun's rays.