Boating and Sailing.pdf - Moja ladja

Chapter 23: How to Tell the Main from the Jib: A Sailor’s Vocabulary
◆ Cam cleats. These are cleats that depend on eccentric or off-center wheels to lock
lines in place—they are faster to use than conventional cleats, so they are favored
for sheets that may need frequent adjustment, and sometimes need to be released
quickly for safety.
◆ Coming about. To change direction or change tacks so that the wind comes from
the other side of the boat and the sails fill from the other side.
◆ Genoa. A large jib sail that overlaps the mast.
◆ Heeling. Leaning to one side from the force of the wind on the sails.
◆ In irons. A boat is said to be in irons when it is stuck pointing directly upwind and
the sails cannot be filled to begin sailing again.
◆ Leeward. Away from the wind.
◆ Life lines. A safety rail usually made of steel cable that circles the deck of larger
boats to keep the crew from falling overboard. (Note that international ocean racing
safety rules now prohibit plastic coating on lifelines installed after January 1999. The
plastic coating makes it difficult to detect badly corroded wire, and a number of accidents
have been attributed to failed lifelines that appeared to be in good condition.)
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The life lines or safety rails
on this Irwin 52 protect the
crew from falling overboard.
Note the neat handling of
sheets on this yacht.
(Photo credit: Frank Sargeant)