Getting Around a Course Faster Glossary
Glossary of terms used in the newcomers talk on Sunday 1 May 2016
Transom - Rear frame of dinghy on which the rudder is attached
Uphaul - Rope (or halyard) used to raise the mainsail
Outhaul - Rope or tackle used to pull the foot of the mainsail out along the boom
Kicking Strap - Tackle used to prevent the boom rising
Main Sheet - Rope (or sheet) used to control the mainsail
Jib Sheets - Rope (or sheet) that controls the set of a headsail or jib
Burgee/Windex - Indicators showing the direction of the prevailing wind
Starboard Tack - A dinghy is on starboard tack when the wind is coming over the starboard side of the dinghy
Windward Boat - A dinghy which is adjacent and upwind of a downwind dinghy
Wind Shifts - A sudden change of wind direction possibly requiring a rapid change of course
Heading Up - Sailing a dinghy as close to the wind as possible without going head to wind
Bearing Away - Turning away from the wind
Stalling - Stalling or going into irons is when a dinghy has its bow pointing directly into wind
Pinching - To sail too close to the wind so that the sails start to luff (can no longer pull)
Gybe - To change course (bear away) from one tack to the other with the wind from behind