Page 23 - LLE 2026 Show Program flipbook

ABCs of Nautical Terms

ARCHBOARD OUTDRIVE
location on a boat’s stern on which its name The lower unit of a stern-drive motor that
is normally painted. houses the drive gears and to which the
propeller fastens.
BOW
Forward portion of a boat. PORT
The left side of a boat when facing
CRUISER the bow. Also, a marina harbor or commercial
A boat with overnight accommodations. dock.

DRAFT QUARTERING
Vertical distance a boat penetrates the water. The practice of aiming the boat’s bow at a
45-degree angle to oncoming waves.
EPIRB
Acronym for emergency positioning indicating RUNABOUT
radio beacon. A kind of small, lightweight, freshwater plea-
surecraft intended for day use.
FATHOM
Nautical depth measurement equaling six feet. STARBOARD
The right side of the boat looking
GALLEY toward the bow.
The kitchen area on a boat.
TRANSOM
HELM The rear section of the hull connecting the
Area of a boat where operational controls two sides.
are located.
UNDERWAY
INFLATABLE A boat in motion.
Capable of being inflated with air,
as in a life raft or life vest. V-BERTH
A bed or berth located in the bow that has
JACK PLATE a V-shape.
A mounting device for an outboard motor
that enables operators to vertically raise WINDLASS
or lower the motor. Rotating drum device used for hauling line or
chain to raise and lower an anchor.
KNOT
Speed measured in nautical miles per hour. X
Marks the spot.
LIST
A continuous lean to one side due to improper YAW
weight distribution. To veer off course.

MAYDAY ZENITH
A radio distress call. In navigation, the point in the celestial sphere
which is directly above the observer.
NAUTICAL MILE
A distance of 6,076.12 feet or 1,852 meters,
which is about 15 percent longer than a
statute mile. Equivalent to one minute of
latitude on a navigation chart.