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Terms 136 to 150 of 207 sailing terms in the database

Glossary Navigation

Sailing Word	Definition
PN	Portsmouth Number; a handicapping scheme for dinghies.
Point	The ability to sail high into the wind.
Port	The left hand side of the boat when facing forward; a small round window; a commercial harbour.
Prebend	The ammount of bend set in the mast by the rig settings.
Puff	a small temporary increase in wind strength.
Purchase	The use of pullies to increase the ammount of force that can be applied to a task.
Quarter	The side of the hull betweeen amidships and astern.
Racks	Appendages that increase the beam and hiking power of a boat.
Rake	The angle of a mast; either straight up and down (no rake) or raked forward or aft.
Ratchet Block	A block that turns freely in only one direction to decrease the holding power needed to sheet through the block.
Rating	The handicap a particular boat or class has based on the boat's speed potential.
Reach	Sailing with the wind on or near the beam.
Ready About	What the helsman or tactician will call out to ready the crew for a tack or gybe.
Reef	(a) to reduce sail area by partially lowering or furling up a sail; (b) a shallow shoal of rocks or coral.
Reeve	To lead a line through a block or cringle