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Terms 106 to 120 of 207 sailing terms in the database

Glossary Navigation

Sailing Word	Definition
Kicking Strap	English term for vang. Pulls the boom down and forward increasing the leech tension of the mainsail, and bending the lower secton of the mast forward (depending on the rig setup).
Kite	Another word for a spinnaker.
Knot	A measurment of speed equal to one nuatical mile per hour; used to tie a rope to a fitting or another rope.
Larboard	Archaic term for port. Sounded too much like starboard and had to be changed.
Lay	To sail a course to clear a mark or obstruction.
Lay line	Imaginary line from the windward mark to a boat sailing close hauled laying/fetching the mark.
Lee	Shortfor leeward; the sheltered side as opposed to the windward side.
Lee bow	To tack directly under and a bit forward of another competitor; a racing maneuver used to force a competitor to tack away.
Leeward	Down wind; opposite of windward.
Leg	A portion of the race, usually defined by two marks; eg. windward leg, leeward leg, upwind leg downwind leg.
Log	Ship's record book.
Luff	(a) n.the front edge of a sail; (b) v. to sail higher/ closer to the wind (sometimes done to prevent a boat from overtaking to windward).
Main	Abreviated term for mainsail; the sail whose luff is attached to the mainmast and foot to the boom.
Mainmast	The largest mast on a ketch, yawl or schooner.
Mainsail	The sail whose luff is attached to the mainmast and foot to the boom.