A Glossary of Sailing Terms

125

An Australian 2 man sailing dinghy, 12.5 feet long. The subject of these web pages.

Apparent Wind

The wind that is felt when on a boat. The Apparent Wind is the wind that the boat actually sails in. It is only equal to the true wind when the boat is not moving.

Aquanaut

Type of sailing dinghy.

Bag

Used to store the spinnaker when not in use. Usually there are two, placed just aft of the bulkhead, either side of the centrecase. The spinnaker is placed in the bag by hand by the crew.

Bailer

Used to remove water from the boat. There are two types, Automatic and Non-Automatic. Automatic ones are also called Venturis (see Venturi). Non-Automatic ones are usually buckets or plastic bottles.

Barber Hauler

Used to hold the spinnaker brace down (usually just forward of the sidestay on the gunwhale). The leeward barber hauler should be let off when the spinnaker is in use.

Batten

Piece of plastic or wood used to stiffen a sail. A 125 has five battens in its mainsail, 2 full length battens and 3 leech battens.

Beam

The maximum width of a boat. 1.43m for a 125.

Bear off

Changing direction so that the bow of the boat is moving away from the wind (to the left when on a starboard tack, and to the right when on a port tack).

Beat

Sailing upwind.

Beaufort Scale

Wind speed scale, relates the wind strength to the sea conditions. See "The Beaufort Scale" for details.

Boom

Spar attached to the foot of the mainsail, and to the mast via the gooseneck.

Bow

The front of the boat.

Brace

The windward spinnaker sheet. Should be held close to the boat by the barber hauler. Also called guy.

Bridle

Two lengths of line attached to the gunwhales near the transom to form a triangle to which the mainsheet is attached.

Broad

As in broad reach or broad run. Away from the wind.

Bulkhead

Vertical piece at the stern of the foredeck. Usually contains inspection hatches for access to the buoyancy tanks.

Buoyancy Tank

Internal tanks on a boat for buoyancy purposes. A 125 has 5 separate buoyancy tanks forming the seats and foredeck, these tanks make a 125 almost unsinkable.

Capsize

Having the boat at such an angle that the mast is in the water.

Centreboard

Flat piece of, usually, wood placed through the centre of the boat into the water. Prevents the boat slipping sideways. Also called centreplate.

Centrecase

Part of the boat containing the centreboard.

Centreplate

See centreboard.

Chute

Used to store the spinnaker when not in use. Chutes usually run from the bow to the thwart, along the port side of the boat. The skipper usually pulls the spinnaker into the chute via a retrieval line.

Coaster

Small decorative items for placing drinks on. 96/97 National Titles coasters are available for purchase along with other 125 merchandise.

Competitor

Someone you are trying to beat in a race. Usually a friend, and a good person to consult with about how to sail your 125.

Cradle

Metal or wooden frame on which a 125 can be placed on the beach or grass.

Crew

The person who uses the trapeze and controls the jib and spinnaker.

Cunningham

Line used to tighten the luff of a sail.

Daggerboard

A type of centreboard that is inserted vertically in the centrecase. Can be found on Sabres, minnows and other dinghies. A 125 does not have a daggerboard.

Deck

The top of the boat.

Demonstration Boat

A fibreglass boat, owned by the association. It is available for hire.

Diamond

Diamond shaped lengths of metal which position the mast in relation to the stays. Used to induce mast bend. An alternative to spreaders. Not allowed on 125s.

Draft

The depth of a sail.

Drag

Friction, mainly occurs between the hull and the water, but also between the hull, sails and crew and the wind.

Dry Suit

Sealed, water proof suit enabling the wearing of warm dry clothing underneath.

End-boom sheeting

The mainsheet is connected, via a bridle, to the transom.

Fairlead

The eye through which the jibsheet comes to be cleated. Usually movable on a track.

Fibreglass

Also know as GRP (Glass Reinforced Plastic), a building material used for boats and surf boards.

Fitting

General term for purposeful item other than sails, spars, lines and hull.

Flying Junior

Type of sailing dinghy. See the Flying Junior web pages for details.

Foam Sandwich

All production built fibreglass 125s have a foam layer sandwiched between the fibreglass.

Foil

General name for rudders and centreboards.

Foot

The bottom section of a sail.

Foredeck

The part of the boat forward of the bulkhead.

Forestay

The wire rope attaching the mast to the bow. Usually contained in the luff of the jib.

Gooseneck

The fitting attaching the boom to the mast.

Gunwhale

The top piece of the side of the boat.

Gust

A temporary increase in the wind strength.

Guy

See brace.

Gybe

Turning the boat from one tack to another by passing the stern of the boat through the eye of the wind.

Halyard

A line used to hoist a sail.

Head

The top of a sail.

Heat

A particular race in a regatta that counts toward the final results.

Heeling

Tilting the boat. If the boat has heeled more than 90 degrees then it has capsized.

Helm

The direction the boat heads when the tiller is let go. Windward, lee or neutral.

Heron

Type of 2 man sailing dinghy.

Hiking

To lean out of the boat.

Hull

The boat without sails, spars, foils or fittings.

Inspection Hatch

Hole in buoyancy tanks for enabling access.

Invitation

Usually refers to the first race of a regatta, not counted in the final results.

Jib

The forward sail attached to the mast.

Jibsheet

Sheet used to adjust the jib.

Kite

See spinnaker.

Knock

Change in wind direction causing the boat to luff. A knock on one tack is a lift on the other.

Knot (kn)

Speed measurement, 1 nautical mile per hour. 1kn=1.8km/hr.

Lazy E

Type of 2 man sailing dinghy

Leech

The aft end of a sail.

Leech Ribbon

A ribbon attached to the leech to determine the air flow across it.

Leeward

Downwind

Lift

Change in wind direction causing the boat to be oversheeted. A lift on one tack is a knock on the other.

Line

Rope

Luff

The forward part of a sail.

Luffing

The luff of the sail is flapping.

Lull

Temporary decrease in the wind speed.

Mainsail

The largest sail, connected to the mast and boom.

Mainsheet

The sheet used to adjust the mainsail.

Mast

Tall spar from which all sails are supported.

Mast Rake

The angle of the mast with respect to the boat.

Mast Step

The fitting on which the mast sits.

Measurement Certificate

Certificate to say that the boat meets the measurement rules. All boats need to be remeasured after a change of ownership or major modifications (eg new mast).

Membership

To compete at state or national titles, you must be a member of your state association. To join the Victorian association, fill out a membership application form.

Mid-boom sheeting

The mainsheet is connected, usually via a traveller, to the thwart.

Minnow

Type of sailing dinghy.

Mirror

Type of sailing dinghy. See the Mirror web pages for details.

Moment of Inertia

Equivalent to rotational mass about a given axis of rotation.

Nappy

Triangle of material on foredeck, used to store the spinnaker.

National Championships

Annual regatta to determine the national champions.

National Executive Committee

National body coordinating rule and constitution matters.

National Titles

See national championships.

Outhaul

Line used to pull the foot of the mainsail out along the boom.

Plan set

Set of paper patterns of all components needed to build a 125. Available from state measurers.

Planing

Movement of the boat through the water generating significant amounts of lift to lift a large part of the boat out of the water.

Pole

See spinnaker pole.

Port

Left hand side when facing the bow.

Pouch

See bag.

President

Hard working individual coordinating organisation of events.

Puff

See gust.

Pump

Sudden movement of the sails in order to push the boat forward.

Race

Usually conducted around a course. The main occupation of most 125 sailors.

Reach

Sailing with the true wind at roughly 90 degrees to the boat.

Regatta

Series of races, with winners determined on overall results of all the heats.

Rig

The boat without the hull, ie the sail and spars. To rig the boat is to set up the spars and sails for sailing.

Rounds up

The boat points higher into the wind.

Rudder

Foil attached to the transom, used to steer the boat.

Rudder Box

Connects the rudder to the tiller. Available from the association.

Rugby Jumper

Warm layer of fashionable clothing. Available from the association.

Run

Sailing with the wind behind you.

Sabre

Type of sailing dinghy.

Sail

Piece of material hung from the mast and used to move the boat through the water.

Scupper

Flap covering hole cut into the transom. Lets water out of the boat.

Sheet

Line used to adjust the position of a sail.

Shroud

See stay.

Shy

Sailing angle closer to a beat.

Sidestay

Stay attached to the gunwhale, usually via a spreader or diamond.

Skipper

The person in charge of the boat, usually the one with the tiller.

Slicker

Waterproof jacket without padding.

Spar

General term for masts, booms and spinnaker poles.

Sparrow

Type of sailing dinghy.

Spinnaker

Brightly coloured sail used on reaches and runs.

Spinnaker Pole

Used to project and control the spinnaker.

Sponge

Used to remove water from the boat.

Sponsor

Generous companies and individuals who provide money or goods to help stage events. We strongly encourage all 125 sailors to support them. To find out about sponsoring an event, contact Catherine Morelli on 03 9274 7817.

Spray Jacket

See slicker.

Spreaders

Lengths of metal attached to mast and sidestays, used to control mast bend.

Square

Dead before the wind

Stall

Turbulent airflow across a sail, causing it to be inefficient.

Starboard

The right hand side of the boat, when facing the bow.

Stay

Lengths of wire attached to the mast and hull. Used to hold the mast up.

Stern

The back of the boat.

T-Shirt

Collarless shirt worn in summer. 125 t-shirts are available.

Tack

Sailing in a direction. starboard or port as appropriate.

Tacking

Changing from one tack to the other by turning the bow of the boat through the eye of the wind.

Tell Tale

Piece of cotton or audio tape attached to sail to determine the air flow across it.

Thwart

Planking across middle of boat.

Tiller

Length of wood or metal attached to the rudder in order to control it.

Topping Lift

Line used to control the height of the spinnaker pole.

Trailer

Used to transport a boat on the road.

Transom

The aft face of the boat.

Transverse

Across the boat.

Trapeze

Length of wire attached to the mast enabling the crew to stand horisontally from the boat.

Traveller

Sliding car attached to a track on the thwart, used to affect the shape and position of the mainsail.

Triangle

See nappy.

Trolley

Vehicle for transporting a boat along the beach or grass.

True Wind

The wind speed and direction as measured when not moving.

Tweakers

See barber haulers.

Twist

How open the leech of a sail is.

Upwind

In the general direction of the wind's origin.

Vacuum moulded

Type of process used in the manufacture of fibreglass boats

Varnish

Waterproofing liquid applied to wood.

Venturi

Fitting in hull of boat for removing water from the boat. Movement of the boat sucks water out through the venturi.

YachtingVictorian

The governing body for sailing in Victoria. See their website.

Video

Magnetic tape containing moving images and sounds. Videos of the 1996/97 125 National Titles are available for $50.

Water Bottle

Container for storing water for drinking. 125 water bottles are available for $6.50

Waterline Length

The length of the boat actually in the water.

Wave

Higher than normal section of water. Good to catch to go faster.

Wet Suit

Neoprene suit worn to keep warm. Does so by trapping a layer of water next to the skin.

Wind

Moving particles of air. Enables the sport of sailing to exist.

Wind Shadow

Slower wind caused by a boat to windward.

Windward

Upwind

Wire

See trapeze

Yardstick

Number used to compare boats of different speeds. Currently 123 for the 125.